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In these stories, as in his plays, television dramas and films, Bennett's themes are the pretensions, anxieties and prejudices of his characters. He is interesting and funny for the way he dissects reactionary opinions, jingoism and national pride, revealing these qualities to be so often little more than concealed bitterness, envy and bigotry. Yet, he is nostalgic too. Deeply influenced by the darker shadows in our national character, Bennett seeks also to preserve the good in it. And you can see that he feels the good is under threat. It is an irresistible blend, because it is honest and self-deprecating and because honesty and self-deprecation are the twin qualities we British most prize in ourselves. As a satirist of our country today, I think it is difficult to touch him. He writes in frighteningly accurate prose, using a formidable vocabulary and what would be in other, lesser authors, a frightening length of sentence. Yet his style is so precise that it is always accessible. How many writers do you know who could use words like "archidiaconal", "imprimatur" and "adumbrate" and be sure of being understood? Hats off to that man.
I enjoyed these stories immensely. I like satire. These are nasty, but funny stories and they put lesser works such as this year's [undeserved] Booker winner, [[Vernon God Little]], to shame. They are more enjoyable to read than his autobiographical work, [[Writing Home]], but perhaps slightly more subtle and less full of belly laughs than his famous set of monologues, [[''Talking Heads]]''. Originally published separately as three "pocket money" and also money-spinning editions - tsk Mr Bennett - this volume containing all three stories is a much better buy.
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