The Hireling
The Hireling by L. P. Hartley is a literary fiction novel published by Penguin Group (Canada) in October 1989. This edition spans 238 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers around Lady Franklin, a young widow grappling with grief after her husband’s death. As she embarks on a series of journeys with Leadbitter, a former soldier who drives for hire, she begins to unburden her emotions. In turn, Leadbitter shares fabricated tales of his own family, drawing her out of her sorrow while weaving a dream of his own.
Readers will find a complex exploration of grief and longing as the relationship between Lady Franklin and Leadbitter unfolds. The story delves into themes of emotional paralysis and the impact of shared experiences, ultimately leading to a bold decision by Leadbitter that alters the course of their connection. This edition invites readers to engage with the intricacies of human relationships and the consequences of dreams, all set against the backdrop of their journeys together.
Official synopsis Publisher
Emotionally paralyzed by grief at her husband’s death, Lady Franklin, an eligible young widow, unburdens herself to Leadbitter–a gallant, hard-bitten ex-soldier who has invested his savings, and himself, in the car he drives for hire–as 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.
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