The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.94 You Save: $7.06 (59%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.60 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Uncommon Reader: A Novella
Book Review: An Uncommon Voice from a brilliant author's voice
Summary: 5 Stars
Alan Bennett is one prolific and talented writer. From Beyond the Fringe (with Pete, Duds and Dr. Miller back in the `60s) to such stage hits as The Madness of King George III and The History Boys and movies such as Prick Up Your Ears and A Private Function and the current London smash The Habit of Art, he continues to surpass himself. An Uncommon Reader has just caught up with us, and we'll never be the same. Some books change your way of looking at the world; some change your life. Not only does this novella do both and more, it'll make you smile, laugh, giggle, guffaw and maybe even chortle. It tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II, who blames her dogs entirely for what transpires in the 120 pages. The book is not terribly full of action or incident, yet in a way it's more about discovery than thousands of geography books, and more about what we are obligated to do for happiness than can be believed. It's a book that teaches us we are never too old or too blasé to be shocked by a queen.
Book Review: A
Summary: 5 Stars
Bennett's sweet satire of politics and the British monarchy is also a surprising love letter to reading and the pursuit of knowledge. What is sometimes a comedy of manners is also a well-written, beautiful little book about finding happiness late in life in unexpected places. Filled with bon mots and gentle humor, Bennett masterfully weaves inticing plot with brilliant characterizations that bounce off of the page. In fact, the characters are drawn so well, that it is hard to believe the book is a slim 120 pages - the author is dead-on with his observations, and the bit of a surprise ending is right on the mark. There is little to criticize: the only hindrance to the novella's success is the strange fact that everyone the Queen encounters has never heard of famous writers such as Proust and Hardy. Aside from this, Bennett has crafted a divine, delicious romp that opens wide windows of thought that transcend the plot. There is more to take away from The Uncommon Reader than meets the eye.Book Review: Absolutely Wonderful
Summary: 5 Stars
Amusing and thought-provoking, with a wicked twist at the end. What happens when Her Majesty (accidentally) discovers reading? Of course, she has always read - Cabinet documents and the like - but not books! Reading (in fact having any hobby) represents preference and her advisers are dead against that. Not to speak of the difficulty they now have of keeping to schedules, and orchestrating those meet and greets. It used to be so easy - she would ask people where they came from, how long it took and how they travelled - now, she is quizzing them on Genet and Proust and all sorts of things - and lending books!
The character of the Queen is a delight - smart, witty, sharply observant, and quite ruthless in her charming subtle way...
Alan Bennett's writing style is a work of art - each word, each character is perfect. Very easy to read, but full of depth and thought.
Book Review: A Social Commentary That's Both Fun and Educational
Summary: 5 Stars
Let's get one thing clear: Bennett is funny. The Uncommon Reader is one of those novels that is intended to both tell a satisfying story and make biting commentary on society. Conceiving what would happen should the Queen pick up reading as a heavy habit after her dogs came across a non-permanent, moving library and she felt obliged to borrow a book, Bennett shows how the activity has become both uncommon and in some cases vilified.
Poking fun at the absurd extremes to which the general population takes its neglect for books, and literature in general, The Uncommon Reader makes you think about why it is that reading is considered an eccentric activity, when it should in fact be considered commonplace. Telling a valid story and doing so with quite the funny satirical flair, Bennett has made some book.
Book Review: Humorous but with a serious message
Summary: 5 Stars
Bennett drags the reader in by a series of humorous incidents as the Queen moves from a non-reader to accomplished literary critic or even writer.
Rushing out to stop the royal dogs barking at the portable library the Queen borrows a book and it opens a new world for her. Incidents such as these at the Palace with the dogs , Prince Philip ( who says " Are you all right old dear ?') And the Prime Minister and others make for short entertaining very humorous tale.
However as the story develops a more serious message on the value of reading and literature is included. Something of interest to all readers.
An innovative, humorous and thoughly enjoying novella . I strongly recommend it