Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

Synopsis: Miss Pettigrew, an approaching-middle-aged governess, was accustomed to a household of unruly English children. When her employment agency sends her to the wrong address, her life takes an unexpected turn. The alluring nightclub singer, Delysia LaFosse, becomes her new employer, at least for a day. Miss Pettigrew encounters a kind of glamour she had not experienced before, and both women are changed forever.

Review: What a sweet, naughty little book! Written in 1938, this has the vibe of a literary equivalent to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, or some other Hollywood escapade. Timid, mousy Miss Petttigrew, down on her luck and in need of a governess position, is sent to the address of Miss LaFosse, a sexy nightclub singer. Children are nowhere in sight, but Miss Lafosse is in the throes of Man Trouble. She is juggling two lovers, with a third hopeful waiting in the wings. Miss Pettigrew is scandalized, but also intrigued. Miss LaFosse pleads for Miss Pettigrew to help her out. One thing leads to another, madcap adventures ensue, and a friendship begins to form. Miss Pettigrew ends up having the most crazy, wonderful day of her life. Unfortunately, the novel also presents the difficult problem of how to square up the things you like with some casual ethnic stereotypes that were acceptable in 1938, but definitely not acceptable today. Apparently multiple sexual partners was not an issue, but Jewish or Italian heritage might be. These references are not common, but do mar the reading experience, so reader beware.

Rating: 4/5

Recipe: Miss Pettigrew is introduced to the idea of day drinking, and takes to it gamely. A lovely champagne cocktail like French 75 is just what the newly glamorous Miss Pettigrew might enjoy.

1/2 cup Cognac

1/2 cup simple syrup

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

2 cups ice cubes

1 bottle of good chilled champagne

4 long strips of lemon zest

1) Pour cognac, simple syrup and lemon juice into cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake for 30 seconds.

2) Pour into 4 champagne flutes to fill ~ 2/3 full.

3) Fill glass with champagne and garnish with lemon peel, serve ice cold.