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bookishgeordie's review
5.0
Funny and very sweet. After reading the book, I am looking forward to seeing the movie as I'll bet Maggie Smith portrays Miss Shepherd perfectly!
kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
Very readable, very engaging, very short little tale about a woman who starts off like a bit of a "classic English eccentric" but ends with quite a sad story.
jaklyn_heath_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a full cast BBC production based on the play written by Alan Bennett. Maggie Smith voices the Lady in the Van so I knew I wanted to listen. Because it is originally a play, it has a different style and pace to it.
It is about a very eccentric, quirky lady who lives in a van and starts parking on the author's street. It is autobiographical and based on true events. The two become acquainted and hilarity and comradeship ensues. It deals with issues like social responsibility, homelessness, and mental health, as well as relationships. It is a quirky, yet moving read/listen and a fast one at that (just over 2 hours if I am remembering correctly).
It is about a very eccentric, quirky lady who lives in a van and starts parking on the author's street. It is autobiographical and based on true events. The two become acquainted and hilarity and comradeship ensues. It deals with issues like social responsibility, homelessness, and mental health, as well as relationships. It is a quirky, yet moving read/listen and a fast one at that (just over 2 hours if I am remembering correctly).
claudiatralenuvole's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
3.0
Il racconto dei retroscena del film "La signora nel furgone" è eseguito con una ironia dignitosa e dissacrante, ma secondo me solo chi ha effettivamente visto il film può godere appieno del modo in cui la narrazione si dipana in modo irregolare ma allo stesso tempo specifico.
Comunque sia, il personaggio di Miss Shepherd risulta accattivante e folle anche senza aver visto prima il film, e seppure con minore intensità penso che i lettori possano godersi lo stesso questa lettura.
Comunque sia, il personaggio di Miss Shepherd risulta accattivante e folle anche senza aver visto prima il film, e seppure con minore intensità penso che i lettori possano godersi lo stesso questa lettura.
sardine164's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Amusing, funny, thoughtful and honest.
'Some people!' I suppose I thought, feeling foolish that I'd been taken for a ride (or taken her for one) and cross that I'd fared worse than if I'd never lifted a finger, these mixed feelings to be the invariable aftermath of any transaction involving Miss Shepherd. One seldom was able to do her a good turn without some thought of strangulation.'
and
'We did have a problem, though I'm not sure we were any better for it. There was a gap between our social position and our social obligations. It was in this gap that Miss Shepherd (in her van) was able to live.'
Amusing, funny, thoughtful and honest.
'Some people!' I suppose I thought, feeling foolish that I'd been taken for a ride (or taken her for one) and cross that I'd fared worse than if I'd never lifted a finger, these mixed feelings to be the invariable aftermath of any transaction involving Miss Shepherd. One seldom was able to do her a good turn without some thought of strangulation.'
and
'We did have a problem, though I'm not sure we were any better for it. There was a gap between our social position and our social obligations. It was in this gap that Miss Shepherd (in her van) was able to live.'
ccallan's review
4.0
Both touching and a hoot at the same time. Nice little story. Bennett is dazzlingly English, both in his style and his world view, so I had to read a few lines a few times just to confirm I'd understood what he just said.
steller0707's review
5.0
With Bennett's signature humor about the lady that moved into his garden in her van and stayed for twenty years, he writes about Miss S., a senior citizen and quite eccentric. This slim book consists of Bennett's entry in his diary about exchanges with her. For instance, she's quite keen on politics spends much of her time writing letters. She will form her own party to run for Parliament and call it Fidelity. Its platform will be Justice. She says it will have no opposition because who, after all, is opposed to justice? She spreads a blanket on the roof of her van to deaden the sound of rain. To clean it she sprinkles detergent so the rain can keep it clean.
It's a true story. Funny? Yes, of course. But also a little sad. How can this happen in a civilized society? How do we care for homeless or the mentally and still give them a sense of their own independence? The book has been made into a movie starring the inimitable Maggie Smith. Perhaps it will spark a conversation.
It's a true story. Funny? Yes, of course. But also a little sad. How can this happen in a civilized society? How do we care for homeless or the mentally and still give them a sense of their own independence? The book has been made into a movie starring the inimitable Maggie Smith. Perhaps it will spark a conversation.