The Uncommon Reader

Although the book is obviously a work of fiction, Alan Bennett's witty and amusing style renders it almost believable. Highly recommended.

Great little book .funny of course from Alan Bennett. Good value and quality arrived quickly

Some reviewers have criticised this for being "insulting". It is anything but. It is a tender, gentle portrayal of the Queen. Yes, it shows her as being initially a damned illiterate Philistine, but in that she is hardly unique - almost all of her fellow British citizens are in real life, and all but one of her staff and government are in this fiction. But it also shows her as being able to cure herself of that terrible condition, of having the gumption to outwit those who would rather she remain so, and of being socially liberal. That isn't insulting, it's downright respectful to portray someone as being resourceful and intelligent!

Like much of Bennett's work, there is a gentle humour throughout, much of which comes from the conflict between our ignorant assumptions of the real Queen's habits and beliefs and those of the very different character Bennett has created. But most importantly, far more important than it being entertaining (which it is), or it being beautifully written (it's that too), it is a paean to the joy of reading, and that it doesn't matter what you read as long as you enjoy it.

I bought this on my Kindle on Christmas Eve at my father's recommendation, read it all the way through in one sitting, and loved it so much that I promptly ordered the hardback edition as well. I know that you'll love it too.

Err... not sure. It's ok. Better read in the voice of Alan Bennett or even better Stewart Lee doing an impression of Bennett.

Wrapped up nicely in the last five pages. Satire, yes. But for whom? Not sure.

I read a detective story the other day about works of art being stolen from the Palace. The Royal Family, it seems, is rising in literary popularity. It takes a delicate touch such as Alan Bennett’s to write a successful and humorous novel about goings on in the Palace.

I did Alan Bennett for A Level, specifically the Talking Heads monologues: The cream cracker under the settee, the drunk vicars wife, the woman trying to hide the fact her daughter is mentally ill, the woman writing poison pen letters; they're the ones I remember but I don't think that's all of them.

The Uncommon Reader isn't a novel, it's more a short story or a novella. It has a whimsical pretext, the lead character is The Queen. Not some fictional queen our current queen, and yet it is a fictional story that Bennett has written about her, and a fictional portrait of her as a person, which makes it slightly odd yet interesting: It makes you automatically wonder if The Queen has read it and what she thinks of it, but that's something no one knows, if The Queen is A Reader and what she reads if she reads and that's the whole pretext of the story.

A mobile library comes to Buckingham Palace and the Queen, out for a stroll decides to venture in. From that one trip, she begins to read, a whole variety of things and 'gets into reading'. A servant she comes across in the mobile library helps her with her endeavour, and the two form an unlikely friendship....

This is a lovely little story which doesn't last long but does make you smile, and is worth the hour or so of your time it would take to read. 8/10

Imaginative and unexpected, The Uncommon Reader is packed with witty observation and bittersweet humour – 5 Stars

If stories emerge from a ‘What if…’ question, then surely only Alan Bennett would come-up with ‘What if the Queen entered a mobile library?’ But this is how the tale begins...

On discovering a mobile library parked by the entrance to the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty climbs the steps to apologise for any possible disturbance caused by her exuberant corgis. Feeling a sense of duty, but slightly at a loss, she borrows a book. However, a newly acquired interest in reading (aided and abetted by Norman, ex-kitchen boy, now promoted to duties on her floor), doesn’t go down well in the Royal household.

In terms of the number of pages, this is a short book, but Bennett makes every word count. It’s a book that made me laugh on one page and thoughtful the next. While the storyline is often comic, interwoven with it are passages that analyse what means to be trapped by circumstances, perceptions of aging, and whether the greatest privilege is simply that of being free to indulge one’s curiosity and interests.

From Royal functions at the palace, to public engagements, past Prime Ministers, and the hierarchy of those who advise Her Majesty, all come under Bennetts acute scrutiny and find a place in the story. And, if all that’s not recommendation enough, then there is an ending as unexpected and amusing as the opening premise. Wonderful!

A wonderful book ,quite moving , Alan Bennett’s writing is wonderful ,I was quite sorry to finish it

La reine d'Angleterre se prend de passion pour la lecture: tel est le point de départ de ce novella d'Alan Bennett. C'est bien écrit, amusant, raffiné - et un brin naïf. L'intrigue est simple mais on prend un réel plaisir à ce récit à l'humour tout britannique.

Esta novela corta me encantó. Se me hace excelente lectura como para la playa. Hubo momentos que me reí a carcajadas y me imaginaba perfectamente a la reina Isabel II descubriendo libros y autores.

A tiny treasure, that is what this book is. Superbly written, I found myself smiling and nodding and laughing out loud.

A quick read with an unexpected ending....

Having just completed a character study unit with my fifth graders, it was quite enjoyable and fun contemplating Her Royal Majesty as a reader. So, it was with this mindset, "The Uncommon Reader" was read and through which each character was viewed.

Truly touching, was the manner in which Alan Bennett captured the true souls of readers - those who find themselves transported by the words of others and allowing themselves and their ideals, to be questioned and reshaped. Opening the book with the Queen having dinner with the president of France and engaging in a conversation about Jean Genet, the author, was truly funny! The squirming feeling of being unread, was really hysterical to me, as this has been a recent reaction from several people recently in my company.

Bennet's writing style was truly appreciated. He possesses the ability to allow a reader to enter into a scene, both emotionally and visually. This adds richness, depth and another dimension to the text. An example of this is Her Majesty awkwardly entering the traveling library and hastily taking any book so as to immediately depart. Bennett revealed his true writer's craft, making me, the reader, feel absolutely uncomfortable in the Queen's presence, as were Mr. Hutchings, Norman Seakins and the Queen herself.

The Queen's nature was richly revealed (although I don't know if it's accurate, given I don't read much of her), as she dutifully returns to the van to return her book. Mr. Hutchings is pleasantly surprised that Her Majesty completed her dry read "one finishes what's on one's plate. That's always been my philosophy." So funny! Shortly thereafter, the Queen is tickled to find she can keep the book, as the traveling library is downsizing. I noticed the Queen didn't respond as jubilantly when she received a Wedgewood vase from a dealer (p.88). Here, the reader witnesses the Queen, evolving into a devoted reader. From this point on, we witness the Queen laughing aloud at what she reads, making excuses to engage in a book and surrounding herself with other readers, namely Norman. The Queen's growing passion for reading continues as she questions her secretary, driver, her equerries, the prime minister and anyone else who comes into her presence.

I felt really sad for the Queen when her love of reading was being squashed by Sir Kevin and others. Particularly sad, but humorous was the Westminster trip, hiding a book under the cushion, only to return and find it having been blown up. Her comeback line was priceless, "A book is a device to ignite the imagination." I also got a real kick out of the last ditch effort to have Sir Claude discourage the Queen from reading. The whole scene of Sir Kevin visiting with Sir Claude had me laughing aloud, and then Sir Claude's visit to Her Majesty .... ohh, so very funny!

I really enjoyed the book! Found it fresh, thoughtful, humourous and just enjoyable. I will definitely reread this book often, because it is such a delight!

If you like literature, you’ll find this stylish and smart take on reading hilarious and profound.