by Alan Bennett
First published 2002
Alan Bennett's "The Laying on of Hands" follows the unassuming life of a middle-aged civil servant named Rupert. Routine and solitary, Rupert's world shifts when he attends the funeral of a former colleague and encounters a mysterious young man. As Rupert becomes drawn into the young man's orbit, he finds himself navigating a web of secrets, desire, and the fragility of human connection. With Bennett's signature wit and profound insight, this poignant tale explores the quiet ache of loneliness and the surprising ways in which we can find solace, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-driven, quiet-protagonist
Setting: Great Britain
Period: 20th Century
120 pages · Hardcover · London : Profile Books in association with London Review of Books