I purchased Smut: Stories, by Alan Bennett, from Amazon after seeing a positive review somewhere – a magazine perhaps. I know what you’re thinking. “Why would you purchase smut when you can’t spend five minutes on the internet without the free – and quite imaginative – smut finding you?” It turns out if you want particular smut, or Smut, with a capital “s” that you must pay.  I don’t make the rules; I just report them.

Description: (From Amazon)

In The Greening of Mrs. Donaldson, a recently bereaved widow finds interesting ways to supplement her income by performing as a patient for medical students, and renting out her spare room. Quiet, middle-class, and middle-aged, Mrs. Donaldson will soon discover that she rather enjoys role-play at the hospital, and the irregular and startling entertainment provided by her tenants.

In The Shielding of Mrs. Forbes, a disappointed middle-aged mother dotes on her only son, Graham, who believes he must shield her from the truth. As Graham’s double life becomes increasingly complicated, we realize how little he understands, not only of his own desires but also those of his mother.

Overall:  4 ¾ stars

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