Killing Time by Alan Bennett

A Sunday Times Bestselling 'pitch-perfect' (Observer) treat for winter.

Killing Time is a gift of a short story from Alan Bennett - a glorious, darkly comic treat. 'A mini-masterpiece.' THE TIMES'Full of wit and style.' OBSERVER'A terrific cast of characters, and secrets and chaos aplenty.' iNEWS'A geriatric Lord of the Flies.' SPECTATORWe have a choir and on special occasions a glass of dry sherry. It's less of a home and more of a club and very much a community.

Hill Topp House is a superior council home for the elderly. Among the unforgettable residents are Mr Cresswell the ex-cruise ship hairdresser, Mr Peckover the deluded archaeologist, and the enterprising Mrs Foss. Covid is the cause of fatalities and the source of darkly comic confusion, but it's also the key to liberation.

As staff are hospitalised, protocol breaks down and the surviving residents seize their moment, to scamper freely, arthritis allowing, in the warmth of the summer sun. 'Violet? She'll be having a little lie-down,' said Mrs McBryde. 'She likes to give her pacemaker a rest.

I'll rout her out.'THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER. Killing Time was a Sunday Times bestseller w/e 09/11/2024 to w/e 28/12/2024.

Format: Paperback / softback 112 pages
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Imprint: Faber & Faber
Edition: Main
ISBN: 9780571394821
Published: 11 Sep 2025
Classifications: Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945), Humour
Weight: 118g
Dimensions: 167 x 130 x 11 (mm)
Pub. Country: United Kingdom
Country of Origin: GB