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Title: The Clothes They Stood Up In and The Lady in the Van (Today Show Book Club #5) by Alan Bennett, Alan Bennett ISBN: 0-8129-6965-0 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 01 November, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $9.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (9 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: two divergent lfestyles........one question.......
Comment: This is a book the encompasses two short stories that at first glance may seem totally unrelated but, in fact, are very similar.
In the first story a couple is robbed of all their earthly possessions except for what they are wearing. What happens when all your "things" are missing? How is your life defined by the things that surround you? How are your possibilities limited? These are some of the questions that are explored.
In the second tale, an elderly woman lives her life completely out of her van, everything she owns is packed into the van. Is she more free than those who have more material possessions or is her life limited by this lack of personal property??
With these two unique looks into the lives of two very divergent lifestyles the author opens up the world of possibility and contentment that people seek to achieve.
Rating: 5
Summary: Very new and fresh
Comment: A study on materialism and objects (or lack thereof) this witty, fresh new book was just what the doctor ordered.
From the same author that brought us THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE, Alan Bennett is a master at combining literary greatness with wonderful storytelling. This is a highly unusual tale, guaranteed to bring you enjoyment and a few smiles.
The second story in this "collection," THE LADY IN THE VAN is a modern continuation of the theme explored in the first story. The wit, humor, deftly-drawn characters remind me of those created by McCrae in his BARK OF THE DOGWOOD or possibly those by Boyle (think WATER MUSIC or DROP CITY). At any rate, this is a true gem, not to be missed.
Also recommended: BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and THE FOREST LOVER
Rating: 4
Summary: not as funny as you might expect, but well-written
Comment: The first part of the book is a short story, "The clothes they stood up in". A middle-class London couple come home one night to find that their flat has been completely emptied, right down to the toilet roll, and the story describes the effect this loss has on their relationship (such as it is).
The second part, "The lady in the van", is Bennett's account of his relationship (again, such as it is) with a homeless woman who for several years lived in a van parked at first on his street and eventually in his own garden.
While the notes and reviews lead one to expect, as one person put it, "jolly, broad and very English humour", beneath the humour both stories were in fact very sad, about people leading incomplete lives, Bennett himself included. This book is a thought-provoking and worthwhile read.
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Title: Crow Lake (Today Show Book Club #7) by Mary Lawson ISBN: 0385337639 Publisher: Dell Publishing Pub. Date: 13 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Shadow Baby (Today Show Book Club #14) by Alison McGhee ISBN: 0312423772 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 14 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana (Today Show Book Club #3) by HAVEN KIMMEL ISBN: 0767915054 Publisher: Broadway Books Pub. Date: 03 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by ZZ Packer ISBN: 1573222348 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: 10 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Raising Fences: A Black Man's Love Story (Today Show Book Club #4) by Michael Datcher ISBN: 1573223301 Publisher: Riverhead Books Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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