Reviews

Smut by Alan Bennett

reemap's review against another edition

3.0

Two short stories- first is more unique and fleshed out. The second had more obvious but flashier plot twists. I enjoyed and flew threw both- just wouldn’t say either was particularly phenomenal to me. I do really like the author’s writing though- it’s very witty and humorous.

vickywong710's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

obliquasmiles's review against another edition

funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Entertaining read, though I'd keep the cover hidden from prying eyes if I were you. I preferred the first tale to the second.

paulsnelling's review against another edition

3.0

My first Alan Bennett, and I couldn’t but help hear his voice as I read the two short stories that make up this pocket sized book. Not very smutty really, more like whimsically amusing hardly plausible one act plays. Half an hour interval and home in time for the news. In both, saucy secrets are revealed and dealt with, and, well, life goes on. I hoped for a bit more. And I’m not talking about smut.

readmetwotimes's review against another edition

4.0

http://nonsempreiosonodelmiostessoparere.blogspot.it/2015/03/due-storie-sporche-di-alan-bennet.html

jodiesbookishposts's review against another edition

Just doesn’t come off as all that funny.Felt like I was robbed of my money for only two short stories

susanob's review against another edition

4.0

Quite funny! I laughed out loud in a fee places. The writing is superb.

emjay2021's review against another edition

4.0

After my great enjoyment of The Uncommon Reader, I decided I really needed to track down some more Alan Bennett. And Smut happened to be available through Audible, so I decided to spend my credit on it. Normally I am very wary of authors reading their own work (for example, someone needs to tell Barbara Kingsolver that she's a really good author but she needs to leave the audio narration to a professional). However, Alan Bennett does a great job on this one. Perhaps it's his mild, unexcitable narration juxtaposed with the actual subject of the stories that makes it so hilarious. Anyway, I found these two stories very amusing (and not all that smutty, actually, though the first one is more explicit than the first). I enjoyed them both, but thought the second one ("The Shielding of Mrs. Forbes") was a bit better than the first ("The Greening of Mrs. Donaldson"). If possible, I'd suggest you avoid finding out too much about the stories before reading--I think they're better that way. I went into them both mostly blind (though I did read a few non-spoilery reviews that gave few details aside from saying "They're not really that smutty") and I think it enhanced my appreciation of them.

I think I sense more Alan Bennett in my future reading lists!

lindsayharmon's review against another edition

4.0

It probably sounds weird to say this about a book called Smut, but this was absolutely delightful--at least as good as The Uncommon Reader, and that was a favorite of mine.

adriennegorra's review against another edition

5.0

I viewed the eARC of this book from Netgalley.

'Smut' is a short and sweet novella. Putting two different stories about the 'prim and proper' lives of middle aged women - and the young ones in their lives - side by side made a very entertaining read. Not having read anything previous by Alan Bennett, I didn't have any expectations when starting out with this novella but now I'm motivated to find his other works and devour them. He writes so beautifully and is often surprisingly funny. Although I'm not sure the humour is everyone's cup of tea, and could possibly be limited to those who enjoy British-type humour, the tone of voice mixed with the content and the right pace make a lovely read.