The Uncommon Reader: A Novella [J0439]

2008 french-flap PB (4.75 X 7.25-inches) novella, in nice clean condition. From one of England's most celebrated writers, 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. With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England's best loved author Alan Bennett revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader's life.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "A charming, quirky little book with gentle humor."; "There are some genuinely funny observations about the monarchy, bureaucracy, social roles, and what happens when someone starts questioning the life they've always taken for granted. I especially liked the underlying idea that reading changes the way we see other people, and eventually ourselves."; "Love the messages of this book. Books are an equalizer - they are completely indifferent to who is reading them. Literature breeds empathy. Reading encourages critical thinking and independent thought which is dangerous to the status quo. It's never too late to change. Reading sparks creativity and in some cases (like the Queen's) the desire to write. This can easily be read in one sitting. It is witty and very British."