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rebjam's review against another edition
2.0
I've enjoyed some of Bennett's stage plays and An Uncommon Reader was quite a good read.
But these two novellas, no-so-much.
But these two novellas, no-so-much.
kevdooli's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
andreairashea's review
4.0
Startlingly honest and direct. Enjoyed these two short stories? novellas? very much.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
5.0
Two long short stories are in this
quirky little book. In The Clothes
They Stood Up In, a couple come home
to find that every single item in
their home, down to the last roll of
toilet paper, has been stolen. The
Lady in the Van keeps all her
possessions in a van she has parked
for fifteen years. How are our
possessions important in our lives?
How do they shape who we are?
quirky little book. In The Clothes
They Stood Up In, a couple come home
to find that every single item in
their home, down to the last roll of
toilet paper, has been stolen. The
Lady in the Van keeps all her
possessions in a van she has parked
for fifteen years. How are our
possessions important in our lives?
How do they shape who we are?
dee2799d's review
2.0
I'm not quite sure how to feel about this? For one, I don't know what the point of this is, unless it's to paint a microcosm of a certain age/moment in British life particular to a certain class that tbh I don't really have much time for. (On the other hand, it might be an elegiac to Mrs S, the titular Lady in the Van, who led a forgettable enough life that's been more or less immortalised by Alan Bennett in this book, if so, I apologise--on the other hand, I still don't know what to feel about this.)
sharonleavy's review
3.0
Embarrassingly, I had no idea who Alan Bennett was or that this was a true story (despite it saying so on the cover, well done me). I went into it almost blind - I knew it was a film starring Maggie Smith but apart from that - nada.
It was only when I saw a mention of a famous person's name that I twigged it must be a true account (otherwise it'd be just a really odd reference to Vincent Price). This is the (short) story of a lady named Miss Shepherd, who lived in Alan Bennett's garden, in a series of dirty, rubbish-filled vans for almost 15 years. Their relationship was a strange one - they tolerated each other, she a foul-smelling determined old woman, he a writer of plays and films.
Bennett tells the story of Miss Shepherd without becoming emotionally attached or overly schmaltzy. It didn't make me cry - but it did make me laugh a few times.
It'll only take a half hour to read, and there are lots of worse things you could do with a half hour.
It was only when I saw a mention of a famous person's name that I twigged it must be a true account (otherwise it'd be just a really odd reference to Vincent Price). This is the (short) story of a lady named Miss Shepherd, who lived in Alan Bennett's garden, in a series of dirty, rubbish-filled vans for almost 15 years. Their relationship was a strange one - they tolerated each other, she a foul-smelling determined old woman, he a writer of plays and films.
Bennett tells the story of Miss Shepherd without becoming emotionally attached or overly schmaltzy. It didn't make me cry - but it did make me laugh a few times.
It'll only take a half hour to read, and there are lots of worse things you could do with a half hour.
lkwhitehead's review
4.0
Four huge stars for The Lady in the Van, which was the reason I bought the book and the first of the two I read. A quick, funny, and thought-provoking 90 pages.
The Clothes They Stood Up In - not as good, but had its own bits of interest.
The Clothes They Stood Up In - not as good, but had its own bits of interest.
chuffwrites's review
3.0
(This is a 3.5 more than a 3. Longer review a potential possibility.)
Basically it was enjoyable written, but the explanation for WHERE all their stuff when was pretty contrived, and the ending was ... sudden.
Basically it was enjoyable written, but the explanation for WHERE all their stuff when was pretty contrived, and the ending was ... sudden.
tinyelephants's review
3.0
Bennett is, as always, clever and funny and sharply observant. However, this one didn't resonate with me the way "The Uncommon Reader" did (probably because I'm a sucker for the queen, and libraries, so that one was all of the good things together). Still worth a read!