From Alan Bennett, the author of The Madness of King George, come two stories about the strange nature of possessions...or the lack of them....
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Feb 10, 2012
Bev
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This is actually two short-ish stories, the second one being "The Lady in the Van." The first is fiction, the second is true. Both were written by British playwright Alan Bennett (The Madness of King George) and both examine the subject of "possessions" and their importance in our lives. The first story tells of the Ransomes, who return home from a night out to discover that their apartment has been burgled. Not only has it been burgled, the thieves stripped it of everyth
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Jun 05, 2009
Clytee
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Odd little book. There are 2 "novella" together. The author is British, I guess a famous playwrite. I think he made the first story up, and personally experienced the second (The Lady in the Van). I did not understand the first one, I think he was trying to make a statement about materialism, but I don't think he made the point very well.
The second one I could relate more to. It's about an eccentric and/or mentally ill woman who lives in her van, and who parked the v More...
The second one I could relate more to. It's about an eccentric and/or mentally ill woman who lives in her van, and who parked the v More...
Nov 29, 2010
Amy
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I was donating a pile of books recently, but something stayed my hand before tossing this one into the bin. I decided to keep it and reread it after the better part of ten years. In fact, this is a great holiday read for these times. The first novella, The Clothes They Stood Up In, is a fairy tale about life without stuff, and it’s best read when you’re beset with 10 pounds of catalogs in the mail and news broadcasts about shopping frenzies.
The Ransomes are a thoroughly staid British More...
The Ransomes are a thoroughly staid British More...
Apr 28, 2009
Sheila
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Bennett is a British writer and a master of subtle irony, insight, and wit. I truly enjoyed reading these two short stories. The first one, The Clothes They Stood Up In is fiction and questions how important our possessions are. How they define us and our relationship to all the items we pack in our homes and lives.
The second story, The Lady in the Van is superb. Bennett becomes acquainted with an older woman who is living out of her van near his home. He is concerned a More...
The second story, The Lady in the Van is superb. Bennett becomes acquainted with an older woman who is living out of her van near his home. He is concerned a More...
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Sep 08, 2010
Alexa
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I picked up this book from a hostel in Panama. I was unfamiliar with the author before reading this book. It's two short stories, so it was good reading while traveling.
The first story is about a couple that returns home from a night out to find that absolutely everything in their apartment is gone, including telephone cords and carpeting. It's a surreal story, but a good one.
The second story is nonfiction - an account of a woman who lives in an immobile van which well-m More...
The first story is about a couple that returns home from a night out to find that absolutely everything in their apartment is gone, including telephone cords and carpeting. It's a surreal story, but a good one.
The second story is nonfiction - an account of a woman who lives in an immobile van which well-m More...
Apr 12, 2011
Jrobertus
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The first story deals with a self satisfied upper middle class couple who return from the opera to discover their whole house has been burgled, and they now have to cope. The woman is open to new ideas as she tries to adapt, but hubby is a bit stiff. The observations are sharp and witty, about people and their stuff. The inital humor of the couples plight slowly gives way to an examiniation of their lives or I should say her life, which is thought provoking and a bit melancholy. The second p
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Dec 27, 2008
Mark
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I really am embarrassed to admit that I only recently discovered this author when I read his recently published An Uncommon Reader. It was my favorite read this year so I ordered this perfect small book and fell completely in love with these stories, haunting, humorous and full of humanity. I still feel the tragedy of the housewife who returned from the opera one evening with her emotionally-retarded husband only to find that every single item in there home (everything) was stolen. And the L
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Jul 25, 2009
Debbie (Readerbuzz)
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Two long short stories are in this
quirky little book. In The Clothes
They Stood Up In, a couple come home
to find that every single item in
their home, down to the last roll of
toilet paper, has been stolen. The
Lady in the Van keeps all her
possessions in a van she has parked
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quirky little book. In The Clothes
They Stood Up In, a couple come home
to find that every single item in
their home, down to the last roll of
toilet paper, has been stolen. The
Lady in the Van keeps all her
possessions in a van she has parked
More...
Aug 19, 2010
Mary
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Two short stories in one volume are both about possessions and the lack of them. The first is a rather spare novella about a staid London couple that loses everything they own in a bizarre burglary. In the second, Bennett tells the story of a Miss Shepherd, who spent several years living in a van in his driveway. They are both quick reads and compelling. I especially enjoyed The Lady in the Van; the author is rather reluctantly involved with the crazy Miss Shepherd and is simultaneously compassi
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Sep 17, 2011
Joseph
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I find that I have an easier time picking out the flaws of books that I liked than I do picking out the flaws of books I didn't care for.
As for "The Clothes They Stood Up In", it might just have been (and I can't really believe I'm writing this) too British for my taste. Despite a clever premise, it was treated in such an emotionless, dry, and sterile fashion that I couldn't really get into it. The introduction of Martin and Cleo livened things up a bit, but the Ransome's n More...
As for "The Clothes They Stood Up In", it might just have been (and I can't really believe I'm writing this) too British for my taste. Despite a clever premise, it was treated in such an emotionless, dry, and sterile fashion that I couldn't really get into it. The introduction of Martin and Cleo livened things up a bit, but the Ransome's n More...
Oct 17, 2009
Pamela
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This is barely more than a novella in length but it is one of my favorite books. A middle aged couple come home from the theater to find that every single thing in their apartment has been stolen, right down to the toilet paper. For the both of them this is a traumatic event, but also it turns out an opportunity for the wife to reinvent herself. A wonderfully funny look at how our belongings can define us, even imprison us, and it made me wonder what I would do in the same situation. Funny and t
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May 30, 2008
Alana
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Alright, I'm writing a half review of this book, because I read "The Clothes They Stood Up In" a while ago but not "The Lady in the Van" and I quite liked the first, but then I was waiting to review until I finished the other one... but that might take a while, so here's a half-review.
Simply put, the story is this: Mr. and Mrs. Ransome return to their flat after a night at the opera to discover that they've been burgled. Everything in their flat has been taken -- More...
Simply put, the story is this: Mr. and Mrs. Ransome return to their flat after a night at the opera to discover that they've been burgled. Everything in their flat has been taken -- More...
Jan 02, 2008
Kate
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Two short stories turned into a book. The first details the travails of an upper middle class, childless British middle aged couple who return home from the opera one night to discover that their entire apartment has been cleaned out, right down to the toilet paper roller. While the husband is dealing with the insurance companies and police, Missus finds she likes the simplicity of this new spartan existence. But when their material goods are unexpectedly found, how will they react?
T More...
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Apr 05, 2009
Tonya
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"The Clothes They Stood Up In" is such great food for thought. (There is one scene that is rated PG-13). But I didn't enjoy it as much as I did "The Lady In The Van," which is a true story of a transient who takes up residence in her van outside of the author's home. Amazing insights into what possessions are and the meaning we allow them to give to our lives.
Feb 05, 2011
Istop4books
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The Clothes They Stood Up In is a novella about a old curmudgeonly British couple, very stead in their stale ways, who come home from a night at the opera to find the contents of their apartment have vanished. Books, bills, pots, pans, furniture and toilet paper. The apartment had been wiped clean. They were literally left with the clothes they stood up in.... and with themselves. Wiped of all the kitsch they accumulated over the years they had a moment to look around and see themselves in a d
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Feb 08, 2009
Liz
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This delightful collection of two short stories is a fascinating look at what our material posessions mean to us, how they define us, and burden us, and can ultimately become a burden for others. Bennett is a matter-of-fact stylist, but treats his characters with humanity and respect, especially the inexplicable ones!
Mar 21, 2010
Brenda
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The Ransome's return from the theater to discover that their home has been burglarized. Everything has been taken, including the toilet paper roll. Through several interesting twists, we discover that life becomes transformed for Mrs. Ransome from one of methodical ordinariness, to greater freedom of spirit
Jan 21, 2012
Leah
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Ira Glass meets Cormac McCarthy. Together they raise a child whom they send to live with Nick Hornby until he runs away and hides in Buckingham Palace until being caught and tortured by the Beefeaters. I suspect this would form something awesomely similar, similarly aweseome, to Alan Bennett.
Dec 03, 2009
Janice
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I'm not going to remember this little story for very long, maybe only its premise, which is that a long and dully-married couple return from an evening of Mozart to discover the entire contents of their apartment gone. Each spouse reacts to this strange event in his/her own way.
Nov 03, 2011
bookczuk
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Read this while on a trip to the west coast. Enjoyed the style. Will look for more Alan Bennett. (Edited to add that I only later realized I've read other works by this author and enjoyed those, too.)
Aug 01, 2009
Jo Ann
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Low-key, funny, and smart in the British tradition. I can see either of these in terms of movie releases, not surprising, considering the talents of Mr. Bennett: The Madness of King George,among others.
May 24, 2009
Tamsin
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I enjoy Alan Bennett's writing style. It's reminds me of Ian McEwan. I was quite shocked after I read this book to realize that one of the stories was actually autobiographical. It was stunning.
Sep 20, 2010
Dawn
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Comedy and sorrow compete in both these novellas: It's great entertainment while making the reader think about things that happen in life, both good and bad, and both things that we can control and things we cannot.
Oct 13, 2011
Julie
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Really interesting couple of short pieces - a novella and a non-fiction piece told in the style of a journal. Have never read Bennett before, but loved his style and thoughtful exploration of material goods and how they affect our lives.
Aug 22, 2011
theknitsmith
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The Lady in the Van is one of the funniest and also most touching things I've ever read. Bennett is hilarious. The Clothes They Stood Up In is good but depressing.
Aug 10, 2009
Nancy
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This paired set of fables is told to make us consider the issues of wealth, and happiness, along with other keys to a good life. It's worth thinking about, eh?
Jul 17, 2010
Jen
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I don't know if its the British humor that I don't get or what, but while there were some amuzing little parts, I didn't find this outrageously funny. A bit disappointed actually.
Jun 21, 2010
RJ
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I've enjoyed some of Bennett's stage plays and An Uncommon Reader was quite a good read.
But these two novellas, no-so-much.
But these two novellas, no-so-much.
Jan 20, 2008
Elaine
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Typically British wit and wry humor. Two novella-length stories. The connection between the two is possessions, but the unlying meanings are only loosely connected to possessions. Both stories deserve two readings! The first story was the most enjoyable for me -- Mrs. Ransome is a great character who, by the end, has found herself. A happy ending signaling new beginnings. I might have enjoyed the second "Lady in the Van" more if I had realized that it was a true story and if I'd
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