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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
funny
reflective
medium-paced
I could probably read Alan Bennett's reflections (on recently-closed hardware stores and the indignities of biking while slightly deaf, among other topics) forever.
read this book over a very long time in tiny pieces in the bathroom mainly. A lot of great stuff in here, and a lot of lesser stuff too. The screenplay at the end was disappointing in the same measure as the play was great.
journal entries and rounded up bits of speeches and writings are always hit and miss. Through it all is a great writer still finding things to get passionate (in his own way) about.
journal entries and rounded up bits of speeches and writings are always hit and miss. Through it all is a great writer still finding things to get passionate (in his own way) about.
I'm sorry to say that this huge volume was not as funny as I thought, mostly because the diaries of very funny writers, last example was Sedaris' , are to me not funny at all. I always have this sensation of spying and it's not good. Moreover, the obituaries were about people I don't know, mostly because I am not English, and the radio plays not as usual. I liked some of the introductions but it was not enough for more than 700 pages....
Mi spiace dire che questo immenso volume non é stato per niente di mio gradimento, prima di tutto perché, come giá avvenuto per Sedaris, i diari di autori che di solito mi fanno ridere, mi danno sempre la sensazione di spiarli e non é piacevole oltre al fatto che, la maggior parte delle volte, non sono divertenti. Inoltre gli obituaries sono sempre su persone che non conosco, anche perché non sono inglese. Le due commedie per la radio non le ho trovate niente di che e tutto sommato, su 700 pagine di libro devo dire che salverei ben poco.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
Mi spiace dire che questo immenso volume non é stato per niente di mio gradimento, prima di tutto perché, come giá avvenuto per Sedaris, i diari di autori che di solito mi fanno ridere, mi danno sempre la sensazione di spiarli e non é piacevole oltre al fatto che, la maggior parte delle volte, non sono divertenti. Inoltre gli obituaries sono sempre su persone che non conosco, anche perché non sono inglese. Le due commedie per la radio non le ho trovate niente di che e tutto sommato, su 700 pagine di libro devo dire che salverei ben poco.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Having read 'Writing Home' and 'Untold Stories', this third collection of diary entries and other pieces felt like visiting a weary, whimsical older relative. Lots of funerals, despairing fury at the Tories, and trips to historic churches, with many a familiar anecdote. It doesn't match the power of 'Untold Stories', it's repetitious, and the plays that take up the final quarter of the book are a bit silly, but I've enjoyed spending more time with Alan.
First book down of the new year! Ok, true, I was sandbagging a little - saved the last few pages for today. I loved reading his diary excerpts in the London Review of Books - it got to a point where that was the only part I was reading. Mostly details of his daily life: travels, irritations, political commentaries, and observations. Clear-eyed, thoughtful, and very worth reading.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
This was a reread so stuck to the diaries (inc filming diaries) which are always the best bit in any Alan Bennett compilation.
Reading this is like having afternoon teat with an old gent as he reminisces about the old days and rails against modernity. Excellent!