The Lady in the Van: The Complete Edition

by Alan Bennett

Adapted for the screen by the author from his celebrated memoir, Alan Bennett's The Lady in the Van, is directed by long-standing collaborator Nicholas Hytner.

The film tells the true story of the relationship between Alan Bennett and the singular Miss Shepherd, a woman of uncertain origins who 'temporarily' parked her van in Bennett's London driveway and proceeded to live there for 15 years. Their unique story is funny, poignant and life-affirming.

The Complete Lady in the Van contains a Foreword by Nicholas Hytner, a substantial Introduction with diary entries by Alan Bennett, the original memoir and the screenplay. The book includes numerous illustrations by David Gentleman, who sketched on set throughout filming, and a colour plate-section including behind-the-scenes photographs and stills from the film

Genres: Nonfiction, Plays, Biography, Book Club, Memoir, Film

270 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 5, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Alan Bennett is an English author and Tony Award-winning playwright. Bennett's first stage play, Forty Years On, was produced in 1968. Many television, stage and radio plays followed, along with screenplays, short stories, novellas, a large body of non-fictional prose and broadcasting, and many appearances as an actor. Bennett's lugubrious yet expressive voice (which still bears a slight Leeds accent) and the sharp humour and evident humanity of his writing have made his readings of his own work (especially his autobiographical writing) very popular. His readings of the Winnie the Pooh stories are also widely enjoyed.

Reviews

[Alessandra Gadola · Rating 4 out of 5]

La signora Shepherd è stata una spina maleodorante nel fianco di Bennet. Per 15 anni si è piazzata con il furgone nel suo vialetto. Lanciando anatemi, pretese e sacchetti pieni di merda. Da leggere tutto ciò è divertentissimo, e fa riflettere sulla sanità mentale di quest’uomo. Che ai miei occhi è un genio.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the screenplay in the cinema a number of years ago. The book contained the script and much additional material taken from Alan Bennett's diaries. A delightful and refreshing read.

[Margaret Crampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a most compelling, bizarre story about an educated homeless woman with a passion for vehicles who parked her van temporarily outside Alan Bennet’s house and lived in it there in unbelievable filth and squalor for 15 years!! I found this book fascinating and extraordinary but amazingly it is true. Gradually her genteel past and the secret from which she is fleeing unravel… I recommend this book. Now a movie starring Maggie Smith.

[Rosamund · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing portmanteau book that gives us four versions of the same story becoming gradually more fictional, culminating in Bennett's screen play for The Lady in the Van.

[Dessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book with the additional diary entries of Alan Bennett, although I had just seen the movie and as it keeps remarkably true to the book/play, it felt like I was watching the movie again. I did really enjoy his style of writing and the humour.

[Olwen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked up this book and the video at the same time. (The library had a special shelf of books with their movies). I enjoyed the movie much more. It's a great story though, no matter whether you preferred the book or the film.

[Melissa Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lady in the Van - The Complete EditionAlan Bennett

If you are a fan of the movie then you will love this complete edition, which includes the original memoir, the screenplay, sketches by David Gentleman, photographs by Antony Crolla of the film location and events, and features an introduction of new diary entries by Alan Bennett.

The memoir is sharp and witty, with quick and often unkind eye which is tempered by the softness of compassion and British humour at it’s driest. The new diary entries in the introduction give insight into the differences between real life, the writing journey and the filming process. For example, Ms. Shepherd’s burial is filmed at Kensal Green cemetery as it is more photogenic; she is actually buried in an unmarked grave in Camden and Islington cemetery out near Circular Road.

Alan Bennett talks of the need to temper facts and writing the memoir and the decision he had writing Ms Shepherd’s death scene (she did in fact die after being to The Day Centre, washed and clean in her van) feeling that this may be seen as a convenient wrap up, “…just when a writer (if a little obviously) would have chosen for her to die.” (p43)

The film script is a wonderful inclusion, and accompanied with the photographs and sketches makes for a deeper understanding of the movie and the story. Imagine living with Ms Shepherd in your driveway for 15 years!

You will come away from this edition with a greater understanding of both Ms Shephard, the movie making process and catch a glimpse inside the head of one of the worlds leading dramatists. Very enjoyable and would make a fantastic gift.

Melissa-sargent.com
LOVEthatBOOK

[Rita Terlizzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"La signora nel furgone" di Alan Bennett

Editore ‎Adelphi, 2003
90 pagine
📚 Genere: Narrativa contemporanea
⭐⭐⭐⭐

È tratto dalla storia vera di Mary Shepherd, che tra il 1974 e il 1989 ha vissuto in un furgone sul vialetto di casa di Alan Bennett, scrittore, drammaturgo, sceneggiatore e attore britannico.
L'anziana e scontrosa Miss Shepherd, vive in un vecchio furgone per le strade di un quartiere residenziale di Londra, parcheggiando qua e là il suo malconcio abitacolo davanti alle diverse dimore. Gli abitanti della upper class londinese mal sopportano la sua presenza 😬 e soprattutto del suo furgone strapieno di rifiuti.
Solo Alan Bennett si ritrova ad offrirle una sistemazione nel proprio vialetto di casa, iniziando così una stranissima convivenza ☺️ saranno "coinquilini" per ben quindici anni!

Gennaio 1982.
"Vede che l'hanno trovato, il militare americano?". Parla del generale Dozier, sequestrato dalle Brigate Rosse e ritrovato in un appartamento di Padova dopo uno scontro a fuoco.
"Sì," dice con aria trionfante "e io so anche chi è stato a trovarlo". Mi pare improbabile che abbia dei contatti con l'equivalente italiano delle SAS, così le chiedo a chi si riferisca.
"A sant'Antonio, no? Il santo patrono delle cose perdute. Sant'Antonio da Padova".
Be', "vorrei ribattere dopotutto ha giocato in casa..." 😂

La signora nel furgone è un romanzo breve, lieve e ironico, a volte surreale, grazie alla protagonista 🙃 è scritto sotto forma di diario, perché Bennett ogni giorno appuntava e scriveva degli incontri e le chiacchierate con la stramba Miss Shepherd ☺️
Una donna scontrosa e dal carattere difficile, vestita di gonne coloratissime fatte di strofinacci per la polvere e che per cappello porta una scatola di cereali fissata con un velo!
Alan Bennett ce la racconta con il suo tipico umorismo e ci regala un personaggio unico 👍🏻
Lettura che fa riflettere, consiglio.
P.s. Nel 2015 è uscito il film The Lady in the Van, con Maggie Smith nei panni della protagonista.

[Gwynplaine26th · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Lady in the van" è, secondariamente al lavoro di Alan Bennett, una sagace trasposizione cinematografica (con protagonista Maggie Smith) che forse vi sarà capitata sotto mano. È la storia della bizzarra convivenza di sardonica pietas tra la nomade Miss Shepherd ed il nostro protagonista che per diciotto anni a partire dal 1971 la ospita, con i suoi ridonanti e fragranti rifiuti, nel giardino di casa a Camden Town. Mordace opera di bislacco brio.

[✰matthew✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i’d read the screenplay for the film a few years ago and enjoyed it, so it was a real treat to see this complete edition of the works.

the writing on the film production and the illustrations and photography, alongside the original lady in the van memoir and screenplay all together in one book was such a great experience to read.

i really enjoyed this book.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really want to like this book... but... The opening intro or whatever is most amusing and witty, but once it’s just dated journal entries it just becomes rather hum-drum somehow. An excellent book no doubt, but it’s not for me.

[Marika Castagno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ci sono particolarmente affezionata a Miss Shepherd, al furgone giallo, e alla benevolenza di Alan Bennett per averla ospitata nel suo vialetto per quasi venti anni. Devo assolutamente vedere il film con Maggie Smith come protagonista. Da sbellicarsi dalle risate!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story, because it’s based on true events. Lovely memoir and beautiful pictures.

[Elvis Gregory-sayce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Sad

[Alec · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ironico, irriverente, commovente. Alan Bennett è un genio.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful little memoir full of humour and a personality.

[Denise F · Rating 2 out of 5]

Think I may enjoy the film more although I liked some of the social commentary and observations. No real depth of feeling or emotion created in the characters perhaps because they're all referred to as Mrs S. or Miss B. Structure of the book was interesting with an introduction section which described some of the filming aspects which conflicted with the reality of the true story so a sense of 'poetic licence ' is presented. We then have the story (short) followed by the script for the film. Hmmmm.......

[eLwYcKe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a treat! I'd read this story as part of the 'Writing Home' collection. Then I saw the film.
In this edition the memoir excludes the 1994 postscript which is particularly fascinating as it delves into Miss Shepherd's past life more fully...unfortunately for him A.B. has to delve into The Van himself once she's deceased to hunt for personal effects!
But this is all still wonderful stuff illustrated with beautiful sketches by David Gentleman recording the filming of the movie, the script and photographs, including two of The Lady her very self.

[Fernanda Fadel · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I got the book, I didn't realize it's in "movie script format" (not sure all editions are like that). Which I didn't particularly like.
It's a nice story, but full of British details that I think I missed (on the account of not being British).
I think I might grow fonder after watching the movie.

[Jeff Howells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does what it says on the tin. This book collects all the various 'Lady in the Van' writings, i.e. The production diary of Alan Bennett, the original diaries (which can be found in 'Writing Home') and also the screenplay. Finally it is illustrated by David Gentleman, who lived near Alan Bennett during the Miss Shepherd years. There's obviously a bit of overlap but it is very funny.

[Marc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some minor differences/additions between movie script and play, of course, and the memoir is repetitive if you've read the introduction to the play which is fairly lengthy... overall she must have been quite a handful to deal with ... there are a few pics of the Lady and there is a resemblance to Maggie Smith - still would like to see the film...

[T P Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice composite of diary entries relating to the lady in the van, a diary of the shooting of the film and the screenplay. The volume is greatly enhanced by the many illustrations by David Gentleman. The photos of the film weren't really necessary. It's whimsical, sentimental and well observed account. All round, a charming little volume.

[Simon Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Van-tastic

A fan of Bennett's work, I was looking forward to reading The Lady in the Van. This version containing both the memoirs and the movie script does not disappoint. Good value, hilarious and now I want to see the movie too.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 90 pages are dedicated to the filming of the movie. Sprinkled throughout are drawings by David Gentleman who lives in the same street that they shot the movie in.
There are photos about the making movie in the book.
I enjoyed the banter between Mary Shepherd and Allan Bennett

[Gary Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amusing tale of life on the fringe of normality.

A most entertaining read of sullen charity, delivered in the unique style of Bennett. It should be a tale of a dismal life wasted, yet there is a happy ending of sorts.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really short story, so it was easy to read. Not sure completely how I felt, but I am glad it was short. It was quirky, somewhat funny, and I liked learning about her life. But it felt a little sad. He didn't treat her the best and I wasn't sure how to feel during most of it.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of diary extracts, the original text of The Lady In The Van and the screenplay. Three different ways to basically enjoy the same story, along with photos and illustrations. Perfect.

[Gary Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the work of Alan Bennett and this tale of the lady who lived in a van by Bennett's home is a great read. I saw the film first but the book goes much further. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Alan Bennett's work or wants to find out more about him.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brilliantly written story of a facinating women in Alan Bennett's life. Worth a read.

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice wee reread of one my favourite books.

I adore Alan Bennett’s writing. His understanding of human nature and his wit and comic timing are really second to none.