The Lady in the Van

Paperback. 16mo. Pp. 92, [4]. Illustrated wraps. Published as a supplement to the London Review of Books. Originally published in the tenth-anniversary issue of the London Review of Books, in October 1989.

Signed by Author to half-title.

The tale of Miss Shepherd who took up residence in her Reliant Robin van in Bennett's driveway – a tenancy that was to last for 15 years. "October 1987: I have been filming abroad. 'When you were in Yugoslavia,' asks Miss S., 'did you come across the Virgin Mary?' 'No,' I say, 'I don't think so.' 'Oh, well, she's appearing there. She's been appearing there every day for several years.' It's as if I've missed the major tourist attraction."

The story of an English eccentric... or maybe two. A stage adaptation by the author, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Maggie Smith premiered at the Queen's Theatre, London, on the 19th November 1999. Transferred to the big screen in 2015 with both Smith and Hytner reprising their roles in front and behind the camera and shot at Bennett's old house in Camden Town.