Recounting one very full and unusual day in the life of a 40-year old governess, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a charming tale that drops the reader straight into the 1930s, where martinis are flowing and beautiful young ladies have scads of evening gowns and even more beaus. When a mix-up at the employment agency sends Guinevere Pettigrew to the home of the enchanting Delysia LaFosse, the puritanically-raised Miss Pettigrew gets a glimpse into a way of life that she thought only existed in the movies. To her own surprise, she finds that she rather likes it.
Upon arriving at Delysia’s flat, Guinevere immediately stumbles into a comedy of errors in which Delysia enlists her help in juggling a string of ardent lovers. The chaste Guinevere is somewhat shocked by all the kissing, not to mention the suggestion that gentlemen have been spending the night in Delysia’s flat, but she swallows her initial concerns in the hopes of landing much-needed employment. She immediately proves to be invaluable by getting one gentleman, Phil, out of the flat before Nick, the gentleman who pays the rent, arrives. Delysia is delighted by her new friend’s skills at handling men (ironic, since Guinevere has never even had a beau!) and drags her along on many adventures: parties, clubs, makeovers! Eventually, Guinevere learns that there is a third gentleman in the running for Delysia’s attentions: Michael, the one Miss Pettigrew most approves of and hopes to see win the day.
Taking place between 9:15 a.m. and 3:47 a.m. the next day, this novel encapsulates the non-stop silliness of a 1930s black-and-white cinema charmer. Prior to her encounter with Delysia, Guinevere’s only excitement had been her weekly trips to the movies. After 4 hours with her new acquaintance and potential employer, Guinevere is reluctant for the day to ever end. “She prayed desperately for a knock on the door. A knock on Miss LaFosse’s door heralded adventure. It was not like an ordinary house, when the knock would be the butcher, or baker or candlestick-maker. A knock on Miss LaFosse’s door would mean excitement, drama, a new crisis to be dealt with.” Reading this book is much like watching a pre-Hays Code film; it surprises you by being open about the fact that women are real people indulging in life: they drink, they sleep with men, they even consider snorting cocaine. It’s unexpected and refreshing and hilarious. At one point, Delysia refers to another woman as being “all lipstick, legs and lust.” Actually, she refers to the woman as much worse than that, to Miss Pettigrew’s shock.
Two things I should note: first, the book is interspersed with illustrations by Mary Thomson. One glance at these delightful drawings tells you what era you are in. 
Second, being written in 1938, you can expect a touch of racism, though none of it is the worst thing you can imagine coming out of the 1930s (example, the suggestion that Delysia shouldn’t pick Phil because he’s Jewish and one really should marry within their own ethnic background).
The copy of the book I happened upon was printed by Persephone Books, which reprints “forgotten twentieth century novels, short stories, cookery books and memoirs by (mostly) women writers. They appeal to the discerning reader who prefers books that are neither too literary nor too commercial, and are guaranteed to be readable, thought-provoking and impossible to forget.” I hadn’t heard of Persephone Books before, but it looks like I just found another source for book recommendations!
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is a delightful mashup of fairytale and screwball comedy. It was turned into an equally delightful movie starring Francis McDormand and Amy Adams. Check them both out, and check out more from Persephone Books.
