I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audio. It is a wonderful view of small village life in England with all the local characters, cliques, generational differences, down and out nobility, the encroachment of "progress", the prejudices against immigrants and local social customs. The Major is a wonderful character as is Mrs. Ali. The shallow career obsessed son and the rigid nephew are great. The "ugly" Americans portrayed are broad caricatures but also well done. The late in life romance was also quite enjoyable with the two individuals thumbing their noses at "proper" behavior.