"At 90 it's impossible to avoid repetition. The repetition turns out not to matter because the prose is sufficiently layered to take on new meanings as the context shifts."
"Bennett's pandemic years read differently now that Covid is in the rearview mirror. I got the impression that, devoted to the NHS though he is, the banging of pans on a Thursday evening struck him as a bit daft."
"Especially intense are the memories of physical shame, such as the worry of undressing in front of others, something that Bennett manages to avoid entirely during conscription."
"On 17 October 2024, Bennett greets the publication of Michael Palin's fourth volume of diaries with a rivalrous side-eye."
Alan Bennett's diaries from 2016 to 2024 reflect on themes of repetition and memory. At 90, he acknowledges the challenge of avoiding redundancy in his writing. The pandemic entries, previously published separately, gain new significance as context shifts. Bennett's reflections on his national service and personal embarrassment are poignant, revealing lasting impacts on his life. His candidness about feelings of rivalry, particularly regarding Michael Palin's diary publication, adds depth to his character and insights into his social interactions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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