Smut by Alan Bennett

Two short tales by Alan Bennett, the first The Greening of Mrs Donaldson,  a recently widowed woman (perceived in this story at 55 to be old - to which many of us take exception) against her prudish daughter's wishes, continues with her work as an 'actor' of illnesses at the hospital for student doctors to practice their bedside interrogation.  Mrs Donaldson takes in student lodgers, who get behind in their rent and correct intuit that Mrs Donaldson might just be interested in watching them have sex - and she is.  There was something very odd about this story, it felt dated, the reactions of the protagonists were incorrect for people who live now, perhaps more appropriate for 40 years ago.  I felt that Mrs D was my grandmother - not me!

The second story - The Shielding of Mrs Forbes - again had a similar 'antiquated' feel about it; improbable in this day and age to think that a gay man would feel it necessary to marry to please his mother.  The 'little woman' attitude that the story took of his wife, the necessity of shielding Mrs Forbes, the man's mother from the knowledge that her son is gay, just didn't strike true, so much so that when Guy is being blackmailed, you just sort of think 'Oh for goodness sake, just tell everyone'!  The twist in the tale was humorously perverted though.

There is a review in the The Telegraph by Charles Moore which brilliantly outlines all that is wrong with these stories.  This doesn't take away from the funny lines, the sharp observation and casual cruelness that is part of everyday life, that Bennett writes about so well.  

Words used to describe them:  wry, witty, wisdom; beautiful turn of phrase and disturbing, fun, unlikely, confused, whimsical, Wildean, miserable, funny, precise, weirdly enjoyable, palpable pathos.

Marks out of 10:  between 5 and 9 with 7 people voting 8, so highly marked. 

Next Book

Jerusalem the Golden by Margaret Drabble

Next Meeting

26th June at 128 Harbord St