Untold Stories

This is a collection of works, part diary, part miscellaneous writings, much in the same way as 'Writing Home'. For me the first 2/3rds of the book are by far the best, with the latter chapters containing the more ecclectic works which give the appearance of having been added to pad out the volume.

My copy was bought secondhand, and I am unrepentent about this meanness as it means that I have been able to enjoy the spelling corrections made by a previous reader.

Not wishing to offend, and certainly being a fan of Mr Bennett's writings I would probably have have relayed the story to him were he more accessible through a web portal or 'Twitter', or any of the myriad means of communication which Alan Bennett is far to reticent to use. Having to ' play himself', which as he frequently makes clear, he has no wish to do, and so for this reason this little addendum which I think of as worthy of a diary entry itself, will go unrecognised by the author.

WONDERFUL (0/0 people found this helpful)

Bennett's use of language is beautiful, it just flows. Very easy to read; it makes me smile, laugh and feel the sadness at times.

Alan Bennett at his best (0/1 people found this helpful)

Thank goodness that these have come to light at last - they show again that Alan Bennett has a style, a lightness of touch and intelligence that make his writing a treat

Secret keeping (0/1 people found this helpful)

Alan Bennett, though cultured and generous in tone, is not an ideal autobiographer, or even biographer, as one feels throughout that his vignettes, whether concerning himself or other people, have been polished to a shine precisely enough to reflect any further curiosity away from them. His childhood is endlessly fascinating, but reveals a family history of secret-keeping, and one feels that this has not skipped his generation. His tone is never immoderate, never revealing of personal touches which makes any fictional account of a life lifelike. Instead one feels he is being continually judicious. He mentions, for example, that Dudley Moore was always very successful with women, but the zip is zipped across the lip forthwith. He doesn't bring the remark to life with so much as one encompassing anecdote or incident. He never means to let anything slip, about himself, or others, and he doesn't.

In effect, this collection of writings begins to seem rather dull about three-quarters of the way through. He could probably have milked his life with several smaller editions of collected writings to better financial effect, however, and one must not seem ungrateful that he has cobbled everything together in one massive volume (631 pages).

Having cavilled a bit, though, I begin to feel rather ungracious, since the pieces collected here are never less than amusing and sometimes droll enough to provoke more than a smile. It is a book worth reading.

Alan Bennett: Untold Stories (1/1 people found this helpful)

A fascinating insight into a great writer. Thoughtful, funny (of course) and at times surprisingly waspish. I'm enjoying it so much that I'm rationing my reading so as not to finish it too soon.

Alan Bennett

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Reader Reviews:

Uncommonly good (0/0 people found this helpful)

WONDERFUL (0/0 people found this helpful)

Alan Bennett at his best (0/1 people found this helpful)

Secret keeping (0/1 people found this helpful)

Alan Bennett: Untold Stories (1/1 people found this helpful)

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