I'm a big fan of the movie adaptation of this book, Maggie Smith is incredible, so when I started reading the book the voices were already there. I didn't realise just how well Maggie captured Miss Shepherd, all her mannerisms were spot on.

This is non-fiction, the book is taken from notes out of Bennett's diaries, he sat at his desk most days writing and his view was of a bright yellow van in his driveway occupied by brilliantly eccentric old lady. The book highlights her daily activities, accepting post, giving her shopping lists to people and scaring the crap out of Vincent Price. There are plenty of laughs as Bennett against his better judgement bows down to Miss Shepherd's demands and there are plenty of sad moments as you witness the way this poor old lady is living.

A brilliant read, very short but feels like an epic.

Blog review is here> felcherman.wordpress.com/2019/10/25/the-lady-in-the-van-by-alan-bennett/