Uncle Ernest (1959)

UK

Short Story

Author: Alan Sillitoe

Sillitoe’s pathos-laden and all too brief short story sees a world weary and desperately lonely middle-aged man, a veteran of the First World War, take a brief respite from his alcohol fuelled journey towards oblivion when he forms an unlikely friendship with a pair of malnourished pre-teen sisters, treating them to meals and other presents on a regular basis; but, unfortunately for three of them, society doesn’t allow old men and little girls to become friends. Iain.Stott