The Hireling
By L.P. Hartley
1957
First Published
3.71
Average Rating
248
Number of Pages
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.
Avg Rating
3.71
Number of Ratings
390
5 STARS
19%
4 STARS
43%
3 STARS
31%
2 STARS
6%
1 STARS
2%
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