Alan Bennett At 90

[poliphilo]

 Alan Bennett has been an old man for ever so long- and now, at ninety, he has released the latest installment of his diaries. In spite of cataract and a failing memory for words (especially names) he still writes beautifully. And still has interesting things to write about- and meets as many celebrities in a day as I have briefly encountered in a lifetime. Writers, actors, politicians- he knows and has known them all. He sits outside his London home and they saunter by,  exchange an observation or two and provoke memories. The tone is ruminative, humorous, melancholy- mildly but never deeply philosophical- and if he has demons he keeps them well tucked in under his skirts.  When his birthday comes round they ring the church bells in the Yorkshire village where he has his other home. Few writers get to be so well loved.....

If you want the book in hardback it'll cost you £25.00. That's too much. I shall wait and source my copy from a charity shop.....

Comments

[cmcmck]

Or see if is gets published in PB.

[poliphilo]

That'll probably happen, but the charity shop would be even cheaper.

I have all (?) the previous volumes of his diary and it would be a shame not to have this one as well.