Product Description

Alan Bennett's brand new short story, published in the "London Review of Books" in May 2001 and then by "Profile Books" in September, is read here by the author. The action takes place at a memorial service for a young man who died prematurely, abroad and in mysterious circumstances.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18242 in Books
• Published on: 2001-09-03
• Released on: 2001-09-03
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Audio CD

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Laying on of Hands is vintage Alan Bennett, who has clearly mastered the art of the funny, wise and moving story that stands somewhere between a novel and a short story. The story revolves around the funeral of Clive Dunlop, a young man who has died in Peru under mysterious circumstances. As Father Geoffrey Joliffe prepares to lead the funeral, it seems "hard to say what Clive was, for instance, though taking note of the numerous celebrities who were still filing in, 'well-connected' would undoubtedly describe him". As Father Joliffe begins to speak, it soon emerges that the TV stars, politicians, singers, writers, and even the priest himself, who have gathered to mourn Clive were all beneficiaries of his "healing hands". Clive was a gifted masseur, although for many of his clients massage "was just a preliminary to a more protracted and intimate encounter and one which might, understandably, come a little dearer".

Under the disapproving eye of one of his church superiors, Father Joliffe allows the funeral to descend into a free-for-all as Clive's friends and clients try to understand who he was, and worry over the nature of his mysterious death. Beautifully written in Bennett's laconic, adroit style, The Laying on of Hands suddenly creeps up on the reader as a funny and wise meditation on the big issues of sex, death, religion and HIV/AIDS. --Jerry Brotton

From the Publisher
Profile Books also publish three other brilliant gems of short fiction by Alan Bennett: The Clothes They Stood Up In; Father Father Burning Bright and The Lady In The Van.

About the Author
Alan Bennett is the author of The Madness of George III; Habeas Corpus; Forty Years On and many other stage plays. His television plays, particularly Talking Heads and An Englishman Abroad have made him one of Britain's best-loved authors, a reputation confirmed by the best-selling collection Writing Home and his first work of fiction, The Clothes They Stood Up In which sold over 140,000 copies.

Customer Reviews

A great joy all round
This is Alan Bennett at his delightful, humorous and poignant best. The story never ceases to fascinate in its convoluted structure, and Bennett's reading of his own work is, as ever, a joy. There are few writers who manage at the same time to be intellectually satisfying, funny, and yet moving, but Bennett is one of them. Never was Keats' famous line 'A thing of beauty is a joy for ever,' more applicable to a work of literature. It cannot be too highly recommended!

Bennett in fine form
Alan Bennett's latest is a typically engaging, character based story. The opening drama is set at a memorial service for a young masseur. The congregation being liberally sprinkled with minor and not so minor celebrities - all of whom have had some encounters with the young man, many being of a sexual nature.
Bennetts reading gives voice to these characters including the vicar, though it is a far cry from his original vicar in Beyond the Fringe. The Laying on of Hands is a superb analysis of the shadows or truth that many have in their lives and their reactions when these secretive elements look likely to be uncovered in an all too public forum. The shadow of AIDS hangs over this piece almost as a threat of the result of promiscuity, though the results are anything but.

Highly recommended.

a companion to lose yourself in
this must be the funniest thing i have ever listened to, it is side splittingly hilarious and the most observant and accurate description of all manner of people, all of whom we recognise somewhere in our lives. I have listened to it countless times, and it is a staple painting, gardening and odd job friend. Just watch you don't drop your brush or fall off the ladder.