The Uncommon Reader

From one of England's most celebrated writers, the author of the award-winning The History Boys, a funny and superbly observed novella about the Queen of England and the subversive power of reading

When her corgis stray into a mobile library parked near Buckingham Palace, the Queen feels duty-bound to borrow a book. Discovering the joy of reading widely (from J. R. Ackerley, Jean Genet, and Ivy Compton-Burnett to the classics) and intelligently, she finds that her view of the world changes dramatically. Abetted in her newfound obsession by Norman, a young man from the royal kitchens, the Queen comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with the routines of her role as monarch. Her new passion for reading initially alarms the palace staff and soon leads to surprising and very funny consequences for the country at large. 

This was a cute story about the Queen and her new found obession to become a reader. If I were British, this story and book would be about me. I enjoyed reading "The Uncommon Reader" and sharing it with friends.

Completely snared by enthusiastic reviews, I greatly looked forward to this read. It was interesting, amusing in spots, a thought-provoking look on monarchs, literature, and pretension. I think you must have been there (UK) lived that (royals) to appreciate. I sent it to British friends; I predict they will love it.

"When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement." -- Acts 15:31

When The Uncommon Reader came out, the reviews I read made the book and its premise seem dull and uninteresting. I avoided it.

At my annual physical last month, my physician (who normally restricts his non-medical reading to things like the instructions on boxes of oatmeal) told me that this was the best book he had read in many years . . . and wouldn't let me out of the office without borrowing his copy. I was hooked. What could possibly be so interesting to him?

I think that those who tell you about the contents of this novella do you a disservice. I haven't read a review that does more than parrot the plot . . . which is to miss the point of the book.

Reading changes people for the better . . . even those who don't read. That's what this book is about. As you read The Uncommon Reader, I'm sure you'll be mentally reviewing the non-fiction story of your own life and how reading has changed you and those around you. Alan Bennett opens a closed door to many minds that have lost their sense of wonder about the power of the written word.

I particularly enjoyed the quirkier conjectures in the novella, ones that caused me to remember with great laughter times when others have been baffled by book-based comments and questions I've shared with them. It was like suddenly seeing a movie of my own life, filled with its most humorous moments.

The book ends before you've had your fill, leaving you wanting more. And you'll find more . . . by mentally continuing the story to where you would like to see it go. It's one of the most powerful endings for causing me to think that I remember since I first read Frank Stockton's short story, The Lady or the Tiger.

Run, don't walk, to get this book, now!

Funny, charming, beautifully developed...and a little dangerous. Just what you would expect Alan Bennett. Anyone who loves reading will love it. A great book to share with friends who are readers.

Richard

This book was a delight. As a fan of the Royal Family and most especially the Queen. The book brought to life the life of the Queen and how her Government tries to hold her close to the vest to even restrict her level of intelligence to prevent her from raising the level of intimidation she causes. It is also sad to me that she has no one close to her to express herself and to tell her amazing story. When someone like Norman gets close the government removes them to increase their power. What I liked was that the book showed a side of a woman who has been so removed from the world that if the opportunity was created for her to gain insight to "normal" life, she would not hesitate to experience it. The book is very real by the examples of both The Queen and her Consort sneeking out at night to just have a night together with "common folks". Also with the push to place William on the throne as the Queen approaches her 60th year there, it is feasible that she could write a book about her amazing life her point of view.

The book immediatly grips you and tugs at the strings of your heart for the sacrifices the Queen makes in her position. It also grabs at her fiestiness and awareness of her role she is an expert and far smater than she is given credit. Mr Bennett grabs all of the splendor and power of being a royal as well as its isolation, and how something as simple as a book can open a world undiscovered by the reader and feed the mind with lives yet unrealized. The book is a beautiful testament to the joy of reading from Royal to serf and the doors that are unlocked through books.