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The Shielding of Mrs Forbes
'Thinking Betty was in the bath Graham was watching a late-night programme on Channel 4 called Footballers with Their Shirts Off when she unexpectedly came in on the trail of the hairdryer.
"I didn't know you were interested in football," said Betty.'
No one must ever find out that Graham is 'not the marrying sort'. Certainly not his wife, or his mother. As sex, blackmail and fanatical tidiness take over the West Yorkshire parish of Alwoodley, an unlikely caper unfolds.
"I didn't know you were interested in football," said Betty.'
No one must ever find out that Graham is 'not the marrying sort'. Certainly not his wife, or his mother. As sex, blackmail and fanatical tidiness take over the West Yorkshire parish of Alwoodley, an unlikely caper unfolds.
76 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
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889 people want to read
About the author
Alan Bennett
272 books1,109 followersLibrarian 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
March 14, 2019
Alan Bennett is a genius and never more so than in a short story format writing about people. His works are populated by larger than life characters who bear a fleeting resemblance to individuals we know.
The Shielding of Mrs Forbes is a commissioned work for Faber in their Faber Stories collection.
It is the tale of an only child to a good family where is Mother controls or believes she does the home and future wellbeing of her son Graham.
She has an opinion on most things; especially her future daughter-in-law who she considers too plain for her boy. Graham though has different motives in the relationships, and as a bank manager, financial opportunity hold sway.
I loved his understated drama which in less capable hands could seem a modern farce. But tongue in cheek playing with the lexicon at his disposal like part of an orchestral overture. Bennett produces a tour de force that reads longer, and more satisfying than the mere 76 pages in my book.
Treating convention as an impostor the author shows what we expect of others and pretend to be perhaps is not who we are. That truth is a relative concept at times and perhaps sometimes thinking ignorance is bliss is a misunderstanding of perception and true knowledge.
Loved it but then he is a wizard at telling stories and becoming part of the story himself through his engaging style.
The Shielding of Mrs Forbes is a commissioned work for Faber in their Faber Stories collection.
It is the tale of an only child to a good family where is Mother controls or believes she does the home and future wellbeing of her son Graham.
She has an opinion on most things; especially her future daughter-in-law who she considers too plain for her boy. Graham though has different motives in the relationships, and as a bank manager, financial opportunity hold sway.
I loved his understated drama which in less capable hands could seem a modern farce. But tongue in cheek playing with the lexicon at his disposal like part of an orchestral overture. Bennett produces a tour de force that reads longer, and more satisfying than the mere 76 pages in my book.
Treating convention as an impostor the author shows what we expect of others and pretend to be perhaps is not who we are. That truth is a relative concept at times and perhaps sometimes thinking ignorance is bliss is a misunderstanding of perception and true knowledge.
Loved it but then he is a wizard at telling stories and becoming part of the story himself through his engaging style.
May 8, 2020
Ξεκινώντας την ανάγνωση, νόμιζα ότι είχα να κάνω με αγγλική μεταφορά των 7 Θανάσιμων Πεθερών (στο BBC προφανώς), ύστερα όμως τα πράγματα περιπλέκονται (σαν ταινία του Almodóvar) και βρισκόμαστε αντιμέτωποι με παράλληλες ιστορίες όπου όλοι κρύβουν κι από ένα μυστικό. Bennett είναι αυτός.
Και δεν απογοητεύει.
Και δεν απογοητεύει.
May 29, 2019
Bailed halfway through. If this doesn’t win the worst sex writing award, there is no justice. Just god awful.
December 28, 2023
An absolutely insane story full of twists and turns. It packs a lot in a few pages.
April 2, 2025
"Carried to its logical conclusion, of course, this free-market theory of sexual preference is hardly tenable as it would see the ranks of deviance swollen by droves of dissappointed normality."
Oh, wat een fantastisch feestje van Britishness.
Oh my, wat een heerlijk testje van mijn Engels!
"So the secrets abound."
Oh, wat een fantastisch feestje van Britishness.
Oh my, wat een heerlijk testje van mijn Engels!
"So the secrets abound."
May 16, 2023
This Faber 90 fiction was an interesting read - full of contradictions and word play it is an interesting little tale of turning the tables - without Mrs Forbes realising. The humour is most certainly black and very slickly written.
The wry humour starts the story going in one direction but do not expect it finish in the same fashion - Alan Bennett is a multi talented and multi award winning writer whose cutting observation has the ability to both surprise us and feel strangely familiar.
This short story for raised many a smile as quite clearly those who thought they were in control were out manoeuvred and out smarted. As I say a great story that was a refreshing surprise/
The wry humour starts the story going in one direction but do not expect it finish in the same fashion - Alan Bennett is a multi talented and multi award winning writer whose cutting observation has the ability to both surprise us and feel strangely familiar.
This short story for raised many a smile as quite clearly those who thought they were in control were out manoeuvred and out smarted. As I say a great story that was a refreshing surprise/
July 15, 2019
This story was first published in 2011 in a small book called Smut which just two stories of a somewhat lewd nature.
I do enjoy Alan Bennett stories, he has a particular way with humour that makes me laugh out loud. Perhaps some of that goes back to my own Yorkshire roots and a love of understatement. He will take certain prejudices and deal with them in a casual English way that I remember encountering in my youth and thinking for a time were normal. Bennett is a master of small observations.
Graham’s mother, Mrs Forbes, is blustering about her son’s choice of a bride. No-one will be good enough for her son, especially a woman with an ordinary name like Betty Greene. A woman with a hole in her cardigan. At first, she wonders if Greene is a Jewish name, but then her husband points out that there was a novelist of that name who was a Catholic.
“'Oh,’ said his wife. ‘I wouldn’t want my son marrying a Catholic.’
For Graham’s mother there was little to choose between Jews and Catholics. The Jews had holidays that turned up out of the blue and the Catholics had children in much the same way.”
Mr Forbes tries to challenge his wife about a production of Oedipus they saw at the Playhouse. She’s having nothing of his argument so “Mr Forbes gave up the struggle and switched to silent mode.” They debate the merits of Betty and this wonderful piece of dialogue follows:
“’She’s probably’, said Mr Forbes, warming to the fray, ‘a bit of a goer.’
‘A goer? Edward. When are you going to learn that there are certain phrases you cannot use?’
‘I’ve heard Graham use it.’
‘Graham is different. Graham is young, attractive and drives a sports car. He has a life with the top down and language to match. He can say “guy” and “bird” and “cool”, all the things young people say. You can’t. I heard you says “tits” the other night at the Maynards’. You’re too old to say “tits”.’
‘What age is that? When is the cut-off point? How old does one have to be still to say tits?’
‘It’s not a question of age. Some people can say it all their lives. Whereas you, you’ve never had enough dash.’
‘Oh. Dash is it now?’
‘Dash. Flair. Brio. All those qualities that come to Graham naturally.’
The irony was that though Graham’s father was much less particular about whom his dashing son chose to marry, like his wife he would have been much happier if Graham had not married at all, though for different reasons. Graham married would leave his father in the entirely undiluted company of his mother, a prospect he dreaded and that she was now envisaging too.
‘With Graham gone at least we will have the chance to get to know one another again. You could introduce me to this internet you’re always buried in. After all, life is for living.’
Mr Forbes who had just made a new and unseemly friend in Samoa saw all his cautious little world about to be kicked over.
He shut the door carefully and settled in front of the screen. Better make the most of it. And here at least he could say tits.”
Graham marries Betty, but the night before this happens we discover he has a penchant for men as well as his new wife. From time to time Graham will meet a man with a variety of false names, for an intimate interlude. It gradually dawns on Graham that this man knows more about him that Graham remembers telling. The situation turns into blackmail, with the threat of exposing the situation to Graham’s mother being more of a threat than telling his wife. Graham decides to go to the police, but while he is waiting to be seen, he spots his blackmailer in the in-house magazine, where it turns out he is a policeman.
What I like most about this story is the level of deception that is taking place between all the characters. Graham is not being honest with Betty about his sexuality, while Betty is not telling Graham about how much ‘help’ around the house Graham’s father is giving her or that she is a dab hand with investments and the internet. Graham’s father is not telling his wife about the dubious friends he is making on the internet and Graham’s mother is not telling him about the fling she had with the Crime Prevention Officer from the police station. Obviously all this will come together in a riotous set of consequences, some of which are more unexpected than others.
Beautifully done.
I do enjoy Alan Bennett stories, he has a particular way with humour that makes me laugh out loud. Perhaps some of that goes back to my own Yorkshire roots and a love of understatement. He will take certain prejudices and deal with them in a casual English way that I remember encountering in my youth and thinking for a time were normal. Bennett is a master of small observations.
Graham’s mother, Mrs Forbes, is blustering about her son’s choice of a bride. No-one will be good enough for her son, especially a woman with an ordinary name like Betty Greene. A woman with a hole in her cardigan. At first, she wonders if Greene is a Jewish name, but then her husband points out that there was a novelist of that name who was a Catholic.
“'Oh,’ said his wife. ‘I wouldn’t want my son marrying a Catholic.’
For Graham’s mother there was little to choose between Jews and Catholics. The Jews had holidays that turned up out of the blue and the Catholics had children in much the same way.”
Mr Forbes tries to challenge his wife about a production of Oedipus they saw at the Playhouse. She’s having nothing of his argument so “Mr Forbes gave up the struggle and switched to silent mode.” They debate the merits of Betty and this wonderful piece of dialogue follows:
“’She’s probably’, said Mr Forbes, warming to the fray, ‘a bit of a goer.’
‘A goer? Edward. When are you going to learn that there are certain phrases you cannot use?’
‘I’ve heard Graham use it.’
‘Graham is different. Graham is young, attractive and drives a sports car. He has a life with the top down and language to match. He can say “guy” and “bird” and “cool”, all the things young people say. You can’t. I heard you says “tits” the other night at the Maynards’. You’re too old to say “tits”.’
‘What age is that? When is the cut-off point? How old does one have to be still to say tits?’
‘It’s not a question of age. Some people can say it all their lives. Whereas you, you’ve never had enough dash.’
‘Oh. Dash is it now?’
‘Dash. Flair. Brio. All those qualities that come to Graham naturally.’
The irony was that though Graham’s father was much less particular about whom his dashing son chose to marry, like his wife he would have been much happier if Graham had not married at all, though for different reasons. Graham married would leave his father in the entirely undiluted company of his mother, a prospect he dreaded and that she was now envisaging too.
‘With Graham gone at least we will have the chance to get to know one another again. You could introduce me to this internet you’re always buried in. After all, life is for living.’
Mr Forbes who had just made a new and unseemly friend in Samoa saw all his cautious little world about to be kicked over.
He shut the door carefully and settled in front of the screen. Better make the most of it. And here at least he could say tits.”
Graham marries Betty, but the night before this happens we discover he has a penchant for men as well as his new wife. From time to time Graham will meet a man with a variety of false names, for an intimate interlude. It gradually dawns on Graham that this man knows more about him that Graham remembers telling. The situation turns into blackmail, with the threat of exposing the situation to Graham’s mother being more of a threat than telling his wife. Graham decides to go to the police, but while he is waiting to be seen, he spots his blackmailer in the in-house magazine, where it turns out he is a policeman.
What I like most about this story is the level of deception that is taking place between all the characters. Graham is not being honest with Betty about his sexuality, while Betty is not telling Graham about how much ‘help’ around the house Graham’s father is giving her or that she is a dab hand with investments and the internet. Graham’s father is not telling his wife about the dubious friends he is making on the internet and Graham’s mother is not telling him about the fling she had with the Crime Prevention Officer from the police station. Obviously all this will come together in a riotous set of consequences, some of which are more unexpected than others.
Beautifully done.
February 15, 2020
I enjoyed reading this one.. Pretty amusing😊
December 30, 2022
Hahaha wtf this was ridiculous
October 10, 2025
Cleverly convoluted and very funny. Bennett has crafted a tiny universe here that sparkles with wit and satire. An under-rated wife, an over-rated husband, a mother-in-law that needs sheltering, and a father-in-law that needs containing - an immensely enjoyable read that contains more than a few quirky surprises.
December 28, 2023
Very funny with lots of twists and turns.
August 28, 2025
Classic Alan Bennett. Very tongue-in-cheek, quite fun on a grey morning.
September 11, 2025
Short, witty, and ridiculous story. Used it to test how fast I can read because I have 22 books to read before the end of the year. Pray for me 🥲
June 1, 2019
This 2011 story stood out to me initially because of its high rating (4.28 right now), but also because of its intriguing premise: one man tries to keep his homosexuality (or bisexuality, it's not entirely clear which way he identifies, but what matters for the story is that he's a man interested in other men) hidden from the rest of his family.
But the story is actually so much more interesting than this suggests; instead of one man with one secret, Bennett delivers an entire family, all keeping various parts of the same secret from one another. The man's wife has her own reasons for staying in the marriage despite her husband's bizarre and somewhat criminal situation; his parents are involved in their own scandalous ways, and none of them quite knows the full truth about what's going on. There are beautiful layers of irony and espionage woven into the tale, and Bennett's prose is delightfully aware of its link between these fictional characters and the reader observing them.
Though none of the Forbes family members are particularly likable, they're certainly dynamic. If you pick up only one volume from this collection, I think this is the one that really shouldn't be missed- though I haven't read them all yet to make an entirely fair comparison.
"This is where love generally comes in: whether the inequality between the partners is physical or social or indeed financial, evening up the score is what love is about. Still, even in the most perfect of unions there's often detectable an element of bestowal."
But the story is actually so much more interesting than this suggests; instead of one man with one secret, Bennett delivers an entire family, all keeping various parts of the same secret from one another. The man's wife has her own reasons for staying in the marriage despite her husband's bizarre and somewhat criminal situation; his parents are involved in their own scandalous ways, and none of them quite knows the full truth about what's going on. There are beautiful layers of irony and espionage woven into the tale, and Bennett's prose is delightfully aware of its link between these fictional characters and the reader observing them.
Though none of the Forbes family members are particularly likable, they're certainly dynamic. If you pick up only one volume from this collection, I think this is the one that really shouldn't be missed- though I haven't read them all yet to make an entirely fair comparison.
"This is where love generally comes in: whether the inequality between the partners is physical or social or indeed financial, evening up the score is what love is about. Still, even in the most perfect of unions there's often detectable an element of bestowal."
August 19, 2021
This was surprisingly entertaining. The ending, while not wholly unexpected, was still quite gratifying. Definitely one of the better Faber Stories I have read.
March 24, 2019
Alan Bennett is truly a master story teller and this short story is no exception. Although it is under 100 pages long we still get to learn a great deal about the main four characters and the back story of Graham's relationship with his parents.
The story is one of secrets and blackmail with several twists. The story's themes of marriage, sexuality, family life and societal expectations are handled wonderfully by Bennett and like all his work feels very true to life. There are some points that beg to be expanded on and I wish this was expanded into a short novel but you never the less get a satisfying story with a proper end.
The story is one of secrets and blackmail with several twists. The story's themes of marriage, sexuality, family life and societal expectations are handled wonderfully by Bennett and like all his work feels very true to life. There are some points that beg to be expanded on and I wish this was expanded into a short novel but you never the less get a satisfying story with a proper end.
August 23, 2019
Faber 90th Anniversary Mini Series #5 of 20
Finished. I am an avid fan of Alan Bennett and this book continues his excellent writing. This is the first short story I have come across by him and it does not disappoint. Story is mainly set in West Yorkshire and Northen Italy. A perfectly well rounded story. Brilliantly written. Has humour as well as serious aspects. A bloomin' good read. Yes I definitely recommend!!
Finished. I am an avid fan of Alan Bennett and this book continues his excellent writing. This is the first short story I have come across by him and it does not disappoint. Story is mainly set in West Yorkshire and Northen Italy. A perfectly well rounded story. Brilliantly written. Has humour as well as serious aspects. A bloomin' good read. Yes I definitely recommend!!
April 10, 2022
This was spectacular. There were moments where the prose looped a bit and I got muddled and confused but the twists were hilarious and this is definitely a top tier read
January 18, 2021
First and foremost - this is a thoroughly enjoyable story courtesy of Alan Bennett. It is witty and engaging, if not a little smutty.
But there's the rub, so to speak, and I do feel a little cheated (there's already plenty of that afoot in this tale) - this is not the first time this story has seen the light of day. Previously it was published in Smut as the second of two stories in that mini-collection.
So, when I started reading The Shielding of Mrs Forbes, I did feel a certain sense of déjà vu. By a third of the way through I was sure I'd read it somewhere before - was that nice Mr Bennett recycling plotlines, I wondered; by halfway I was certain this was not my first encounter with the text and then I realised where I had encountered this net-curtain twitching story of everyday folk before. Still, I had to finish the re-read as I couldn't quite remember how it ended...
As well as being a bit naughty on the narrative front, it's also a bit naughty on Faber & Faber's part for recycling material in this way (the Kindle edition on its Amazon page makes no mention this is not an original piece) but the main 'my bad' falls on me for not checking quite as thoroughly as I might.
But there's the rub, so to speak, and I do feel a little cheated (there's already plenty of that afoot in this tale) - this is not the first time this story has seen the light of day. Previously it was published in Smut as the second of two stories in that mini-collection.
So, when I started reading The Shielding of Mrs Forbes, I did feel a certain sense of déjà vu. By a third of the way through I was sure I'd read it somewhere before - was that nice Mr Bennett recycling plotlines, I wondered; by halfway I was certain this was not my first encounter with the text and then I realised where I had encountered this net-curtain twitching story of everyday folk before. Still, I had to finish the re-read as I couldn't quite remember how it ended...
As well as being a bit naughty on the narrative front, it's also a bit naughty on Faber & Faber's part for recycling material in this way (the Kindle edition on its Amazon page makes no mention this is not an original piece) but the main 'my bad' falls on me for not checking quite as thoroughly as I might.
June 4, 2024
Alan Bennett spins a yarn that, although brief, bursts with excitement and that one element on which British literature thrives 'scandal'. In the story, a homosexual banker is blackmailed by a lover and all the fallout that emerges from it.
The book is funny and well-written, with relationships that, although only briefly explained, really capture a lot of depth. This short story contains grim observations on human nature that hold a lot of truth. I was impressed with the interesting perspectives of the characters. I think it is strong as a short story, but it definitely would have worked as a longer piece of prose.
My only criticism is that sometimes I think Bennett spells things out that the reader could have very easily worked out themselves. Near the end, I think implication is abandoned in the interest of emphasising shock. But that's a very small complaint. Great short story!
The book is funny and well-written, with relationships that, although only briefly explained, really capture a lot of depth. This short story contains grim observations on human nature that hold a lot of truth. I was impressed with the interesting perspectives of the characters. I think it is strong as a short story, but it definitely would have worked as a longer piece of prose.
My only criticism is that sometimes I think Bennett spells things out that the reader could have very easily worked out themselves. Near the end, I think implication is abandoned in the interest of emphasising shock. But that's a very small complaint. Great short story!
September 17, 2020
I really like the central idea being explored in this short from the Faber Stories range. Wishing to protect his seemingly naïve and prim mother from scandal, Graham marries a woman to keep his sexuality a secret. But when his lover starts blackmailing him, it becomes clear that no one is quite as oblivious – or as innocent – as they’re leading others to believe.
The tone is largely humorous and cutting, with none of the characters being particularly likeable. With everyone tangled up in different aspects of the same lie, it’s clear that Bennett is commenting on the folly of keeping up appearances. Still, a few too many twists towards the end tipped things into the realms of farce for me, making the narrative itself feel too contrived to be believable.
In the age-old debate of concept versus execution, I definitely preferred the former here.
The tone is largely humorous and cutting, with none of the characters being particularly likeable. With everyone tangled up in different aspects of the same lie, it’s clear that Bennett is commenting on the folly of keeping up appearances. Still, a few too many twists towards the end tipped things into the realms of farce for me, making the narrative itself feel too contrived to be believable.
In the age-old debate of concept versus execution, I definitely preferred the former here.
January 25, 2022
At first, I agreed with some of the reviewers who say there are issues with pace and engagement towards the end, but now I've decided it makes it even funnier. There are at least two stages more than I expected, and Bennett's playful dance along the edge of the fourth wall near the end is masterful, providing "a death that might seem to have more to do with narrative tidiness than any driving without due care and attention".
While our relationship with the characters isn't warm, a complaint other reviewers have had, I did rather enoy knowing them, especially Betty and Mr Forbes. I enjoy the farcical elements, such as the many layers of dramatic irony, and I have a soft spot for the fairy/folk tale way some people are saved by others without ever knowing it.
So try it. It's a cracking read from a master of social observation.
While our relationship with the characters isn't warm, a complaint other reviewers have had, I did rather enoy knowing them, especially Betty and Mr Forbes. I enjoy the farcical elements, such as the many layers of dramatic irony, and I have a soft spot for the fairy/folk tale way some people are saved by others without ever knowing it.
So try it. It's a cracking read from a master of social observation.
May 20, 2024
Oh my goodness, the last few pages are such a twist! Bennett alluded to such things subtly throughout the book, but they are not explicitly mentioned until the very end, making it satisfying to have predicted them.
Quite a bit of pleonasm that made me feel like I was stumbling quite a lot whilst reading, however the story itself was gripping enough to keep me going.
Also I was confused by all the names, but like Withering Heights I suppose this was the author’s intention, to emphasise the complexity of these relationships and circumstances. Obfuscated at times, which was especially difficult because time jumps were not clearly defined as such- I’m not sure if it’s the format of the book or how Bennett intended it to read, but it gets very confusing at times…
Still, I nice little piece of reading to get one out of a reading slump.
Quite a bit of pleonasm that made me feel like I was stumbling quite a lot whilst reading, however the story itself was gripping enough to keep me going.
Also I was confused by all the names, but like Withering Heights I suppose this was the author’s intention, to emphasise the complexity of these relationships and circumstances. Obfuscated at times, which was especially difficult because time jumps were not clearly defined as such- I’m not sure if it’s the format of the book or how Bennett intended it to read, but it gets very confusing at times…
Still, I nice little piece of reading to get one out of a reading slump.
June 25, 2021
This is a wonderful little story--a story about a dysfunctional family revolving around a narcissistic mother and how her gay son's marriage life (with a straight woman) unfolds. In 70+ pages, it already held enough twist, secrets and all the echo would make a reader who has/had a narcissistic mother and a dysfunctional family echo.
The narrative is soothing and very "calm" for such a pond of water where tornadoes were hidden beneath. Each details about Mrs. Forbes is caught by the author in a way as if Mrs. Forbes is right in front of my eyes.
Not an easy reading those who has similar experiences. Would put a minor trigger warning.
The narrative is soothing and very "calm" for such a pond of water where tornadoes were hidden beneath. Each details about Mrs. Forbes is caught by the author in a way as if Mrs. Forbes is right in front of my eyes.
Not an easy reading those who has similar experiences. Would put a minor trigger warning.
August 22, 2021
There was something very off in this as far as motive and point. Not wanting to read a short story all the way to the end is a bad sign. I hated how impersonal all of the characters felt and there wasn't really a catch that would have made the read worth while. Even the only character that had potential, Betty, was written poorly as if a woman could not be allowed to have smart and worth while existence in her own story.
Bennett doesn't seem to have the courage to push this short story over the line: it.just.sort.of.rolls.forward.
Bennett doesn't seem to have the courage to push this short story over the line: it.just.sort.of.rolls.forward.
January 24, 2021
A weird story of secrets and incest between a mother, husband (who slept with his daughter in law and is the father of his son's twins), son and daughter in law (Betty).
It's complicated for sure, but I'm not sure that the story carries enough weight. As it is a short story, there wasn't any time to delve deeper into the psyche or development of the characters.
Overall, a good story but wish that there was a longer version of it.
It's complicated for sure, but I'm not sure that the story carries enough weight. As it is a short story, there wasn't any time to delve deeper into the psyche or development of the characters.
Overall, a good story but wish that there was a longer version of it.
April 30, 2019
I love Alan Bennett's writing, and he has produced some wonderful short stories, but this isn't one of them. It starts well as he crafts the main characters with his familiar humour. Then half way through the story switches to a rapid succession of short scenes that propels us quickly to the end. I rather got the impression he became bored with the characters. I certainly did.
October 26, 2019
An amusing short story about the complexities of family secrets. This tale starts with a man continuing a clandestine gay affair on his wedding night and ramps up from there.
It's very Alan Bennett, with the rather wonderful line "...a death that might seem to have more to do with narrative tidiness than any driving without due care and attention."
It's very Alan Bennett, with the rather wonderful line "...a death that might seem to have more to do with narrative tidiness than any driving without due care and attention."
June 13, 2020
No one can create the foibles and complexities of seemingly dull characters like Bennett. Unconventional, clandestine and complex sexual relationships develop in this tiny volume of 76 pages in typical tongue-in-cheek Bennett style. Respectability and appearances are exposed relentlessly and with some glee for the sham it is.
December 8, 2020
Bennett is Always a good read
I love anything from Alan Bennett, a genius with the written word and such meticulous observation of people living everyday lives and what secrets could be hidden in the wings.
This a great short story you could read within an hour, I really enjoyed it
I love anything from Alan Bennett, a genius with the written word and such meticulous observation of people living everyday lives and what secrets could be hidden in the wings.
This a great short story you could read within an hour, I really enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews