by Alan Bennett
First published 1990
In 1974, the eccentric Miss Shepherd parks her dilapidated van in Alan Bennett's garden, intending to stay for just three months. But the irascible squatter digs in, occupying the space for the next fifteen years. As Bennett navigates the absurdities of their arrangement, he finds himself both repelled and intrigued by his unlikely houseguest, whose stubborn, solitary ways clash with his own fastidious nature. This true-life odd-couple tale blends wry humor and poignant insight as it explores the strange relationship that develops between the two isolated souls.
Genres: fiction, drama, 20th-century, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, odd-couple
Period: 1974
92 pages · Paperback · Profile Books