The Keeper

by David Rudkin

‘A strange, elegiac story, vividly atmospheric, tragic with loss though not without its glimpse of salvation. A tale of time passing, and of what time leaves behind. Truly wonderful’ Patrick McGrath

16 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

British playwright for theatre, film, television, and radio.

Reviews

[John Fulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

David “Penda’s Fen” Rudkin has produced a story of beauty and mystery, redolent with nostalgia, especially for someone like me who grew up around lighthouses. I’m just extremely glad that I’ve already written my own weird lighthouse short story (the similarly-named “Keeper of the Light”, in the Dark Scotland anthology) as I’d never have dared attempt it after reading Rudkin’s story for fear of falling so very short in comparison.

[Jeanette Greaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

A protagonist in a confused, dreamlike state explores his surroundings and comes to realise that something vital has been lost. As the story progresses, he comes to understand his new place in the world, and accepts the change.