Synopses & Reviews
Emotionally paralyzed by grief at her husbands death, Lady Franklin, an eligible young widow, unburdens herself to Leadbittera gallant, hard-bitten ex-soldier who has invested his savings, and himself, in the car he drives for hireas he takes her on a series of journeys. He in turn beguiles her with stories of his nonexistent wife and children thereby weaning her from her self-absorption, but creating for himself a dreamlife with Lady Franklin at the heart of it. Half-hoping to make his dream come true, Leadbitter takes a bold step which costs him her company and brings the story to a dramatically unexpected end. The Hireling was made into a 1973 film starring Sarah Miles and Robert Shaw.
Review
"One of the best novels he has produced . . . at least as good as The Go-Between." Daily Mail
Synopsis
Emotionally paralysed by grief at her husband
About the Author
L. P. Hartley (1895–1972) is the author of 18 novels including, Eustace and Hilda, which won the 1946 James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and The Go-Between. Jane Feaver is the author of According to Ruth.