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The Uncommon Reader

Author: Alan Bennett
Publisher: Profile
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

29 reviews
Sales Rank: 606

Media: Hardcover
Pages: 124
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 5 x 0.8

ISBN: 1846680492
EAN: 9781846680496
ASIN: 1846680492

Publication Date: September 6, 2007
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: given as gift, never opened

Also Available In:

•	Paperback - The Uncommon Reader: A Novella
•	Hardcover - The Uncommon Reader
•	Hardcover - The Uncommon Reader (Thorndike Core)
•	Paperback - The Uncommon Reader

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•	The Uncommon Reader (BBC Audio)
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Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeously clever, funny and delightful July 1, 2008
The premise of this gorgeous novella is that the Queen, a woman previously devoid of hobbies, suddenly discovers the joy of reading. She starts seizing every opportunity to pick up a book - declaring a sick day or surreptitiously reading in the coach on the way to open Parliament. On walkabouts, instead of asking people whether they've come far, she asks them about what they're reading. This disconcerts and displeases almost everyone around her: her staff, her visitors, the Prime Minister, even her corgis (who get fewer walks).

"The Uncommon Reader" is a deliciously funny book. (I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the Duke of Edinburgh.) The details are well researched and the premise somehow feels both totally believable and quite fantastic. It's a love letter to reading but also in a way a love letter to the Queen. Plus, the ending is perfect. It's a glorious book that only takes a couple of hours to read, but one of the best that I've read all year (along with "The Spare Room" by Helen Garner, which I also recommend).

5 out of 5 stars

Book about books April 1, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a great addition to my book about books collection. I found it charming, funny, biting, and witty. Reading about the queen withdrawing into the life of a reclusive bibliophile is too funny for words and the unexpected ending made me chuckle out loud.

5 out of 5 stars

Fairy tale celebrating the joys of reading March 24, 2008
Following one of her dogs, the Queen takes an unfamiliar turn and bumps into the Westminster mobile library. Its only other patron at the time is a young kitchen boy. Out of politeness she takes out a book. But as all bookworms know: one book can lead to another and in no time the Queen is hooked. Going nowhere without a book, she becomes distracted in her duties. She starts attempting to have literary conversations with other heads of state, including the prime minister. Young Norman is promoted from the kitchen in order to be close at hand to dicuss, recommend and procure books. All this leads to consternation amongst her staff who start conspiring to undermine her reading.

What a lovely "tongue in the cheek" celebration of books and writing! A pure delight up until the very last page with its surprise ending.

5 out of 5 stars

A delicious little gem March 11, 2008
HM the Queen stumbles upon a mobile library in the Palace grounds while in pursuit of her wayward corgis. She feels obliged to investigate; apart from the librarian its only occupant is Norman, a ginger haired young lad who it appears works in the Palace kitchens. HM leaves the mobile library not only with a new interest about to blossom, but also having met her unlikely ally in her new hobby. For Norman is soon promoted from the kitchens to find himself advising HM on her reading matter, that he has a predilection for gay authors simply adds to entertainment.

The Queen's new interest causes consternation in both Palace and Government circles, and unsurprisingly Norman is not particularly popular either. Of course the real delight of this little book is the premise that HM should be so distracted by something as seemingly ordinary which we, the reader, take such pleasure in. That she should be aided and abetted by a gawky teenager makes it particularly delicious. Her reaction to the various authors she stumbles upon, and the innocence and broadmindedness with which HM pursues her new found distraction makes her all the more endearing.

This is an absolute gem of a book, full to the brim with wit and humour; perhaps a certain waiting Prince might get some ideas.

4 out of 5 stars

People's Queen February 28, 2008
At a time in History when everyone is adamant to prove and show that Her Majesty is human (as if were there any doubt), there comes a fine and funny story about Her Majesty's reading habits. A nice book, thouroughly enjoyable, that shows appreciation for one (if not THE ONE) of the best Heads of State the world has known. Though not with executive power, the world, yes, all of us, owe this Person a debt of gratitute for an enormous wisdom, insight and charisma, shown to us all through more than 50 years of a blessed reign! Long live the Queen, and may Her Majesty be as reader friendly as the character she portrais in this book.