The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett
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Book Reviews of The Uncommon Reader: A Novella
Book Review: "The Queen ... embarked on a new conversational gambit, namely, 'What are you reading at the moment?'"
Summary: 5 Stars
I received this book as a surprise gift from a good friend who loves reading as much as I do. I had never heard of this novella and only peripherally knew of Alan Bennett from enjoying the filmed version of his play _The Madness of King George III_. I didn't know what to expect, as this book is quite different from the others I've been reading lately, though my friend spoke highly of it. Now I understand why and agree entirely. This novella, though only 120 pages long, sweeps you into a fascinating and humorous journey through the halls of Buckingham Palace and beyond as you follow the Queen of England in her discovery of the pleasures and perils of reading.
In the course of the novella, the Queen follows her dogs, of all creatures, into a nearby library and down the rabbit-hole into a pursuit that remakes her life with unusual and unexpected consequences. The more the Queen reads, the more her perspective on the world around her changes, and the more her staff tries to undermine these changes they believe reading has wrought upon their monarch. Alan Bennett perfectly captures the aristocratic voice of the Queen and her coterie while maintaining a wickedly amusing tone throughout, as well as delivering a surprise ending that is both completely unexpected and perfect. The characters are neatly portrayed; you'll find the heroes sympathetic and the villains scandalous, in a very upper-class British way. A wonderful diversion for a quiet afternoon, best accompanied with a steaming pot of tea.
Book Review: A welcome surprise
Summary: 5 Stars
I broke down and bought this after a couple of my friends gave it really good reviews. When it arrived, however, I was pretty mad to see how short the book was. Granted when I went back and looked at the product page, I could see it is called a novella, so it's not like they were falsely advertising it. It was really my own fault for not noticing how short the book was.
Once I started reading it though, I was hooked. The premise is quite interesting: the Queen starts reading- first out of politeness, then because she enjoys it. I found I could identify with her several times, especially since many of my family and friends also do not understand my obsession with reading and with books, like those who surrounded the Queen in Alan Bennett's novella.
Not only did I find the Queen's journey in the story interesting and entertaining, it also inspired me to seek out some of the books mentioned that she reads. Many of course were/are classics which I have read or heard of, while others were new to me and not titles I recognized. Overall it's given me many books to add to a TBR list.
Back to the story- I really would recommend it. It's short enough for those who do not enjoy a long book, but long enough to hook the audience and make them compelled to finish it. I also really enjoyed the ending, and was not expecting it at all, which made it even better. Kudos to Alan Bennett, and I'll be searching out more of his work.
Book Review: The Queen becomes a commoner
Summary: 5 Stars
Five stars are just too paltry for this book. Awesome, bright, clever, droll, only begin the list of adjectives that could be assigned to it. The plot is a blatant, if delightful, vehicle for Alan Bennett's philosophy of reading. The Queen, her very self, meets one of her pages in the traveling library. Norman takes her on a jolly trek to becoming "a reader". She discovers that "Literature is a Commonwealth". A book doesn't care what class you are, as long as you read it!
Inevitably, her secretary Kevin, the Prime Minister, the household in general and even the Corgis find that the Queen's reading is causing disruption. She perfects reading in her coach, keeping the book below the window level so as to maintain the royal wave as she travels. She's tardy for luncheons and openings. She prefers discussing books with her tea party conversants rather than their method of travel. Foreign dignitaries are unprepared as she discusses their nation's authors. Walkies no longer include ball-throwing.
Perhaps as Bennett shows the Queen becoming enamored with reading, the rest of the world will catch on. So, turn off the TV, put away the iphone, unplug the Wii and pick up a book--or a kindle. Be encouraged, the thumbwriters of the world may yet discover adjectives and adverbs. Meanwhile, buy this book, save it, savour it, quote it, and realize for yourself what an extraordinary gift it is to be able to read.
Book Review: An absolute delight
Summary: 5 Stars
While the Queen was out with her dogs one day, the dogs took off and started barking at the traveling library (bookmobile) that was on the Palace grounds. The Queen feels duty bound to go over and apologize for her dogs' actions. While she was in the bookmobile she met a young man who works in the Palace kitchen. She also feels obligated to check out a book, so she leaves with The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. She becomes so engrossed in the book that she feigns illness so she could stay in bed to read. Thus began the Queen's love affair with books in The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett.
The Queen's love of books doesn't please everyone, though, because she is running late for engagements and isn't paying as much attention to appearances as she used to. The young man from the kitchen is promoted to help her choose and keep up with her books. By the end of the book, the Queen has become interested in writing too, and what happens at the very end will surprise you.
This novella was an absolute delight. Readers will love sentences like this, "Books have enriched my life in a way that one could never have expected." It made me think about how reading affects the reader and others around them and how other people view readers. I was able to relate to the Queen's obsession with books.
Book Review: Sheer delight for bibliomaniacs
Summary: 5 Stars
A slim volume, this book has lingered in my memory since I first devoured it in London this spring. The subversive power of the written word has rarely been as fancifully and effectively communicated as in this tale of Queen Elizabeth stumbling across a portable library in the grounds of Buckingham Palace while in pursuit of an errant corgi. The monarch is transformed into an avid reader, flummoxing her subjects, her government ministers, her family and her courtiers. Bennett captures the "voice" of the queen herself, even as he deftly outlines the odd position of the constitutional monarchy in today's Britain. Just imagine what could happen if a symbolic head of state, condemned to an eternity of ribbon-cuttings and delivering ceremonial speeches scripted by others discovers literature and a life of ideas? Bennett does -- with aplomb. And his closing paragraphs will leave you gasping and laughing at once -- an admirable twist to this tale.
Recommended for all readers -- common and uncommon -- who believe in the importance of books. Click that "buy" button or head for the bookstore, pronto!