Read for: Dewey's Books Reading Challenge
I am probably one of the last people to read and review this adorable little novella, but it was well worth it. Alan Bennett is one of Britain's most well loved playwrights, although I am not sure how well known he is outside our small Isle.
The Uncommon Reader is the short tale of a most unusual encounter and how it affects one person's life in particular. That person of course is the British Queen, who comes across a mobile library when she is persuing her corgis across the lawn of Buckingham Palace. After apologising profusely for the racket, she finds it only polite to borrow a book and takes her leave. Although she did not particularly enjoy the book, she persevered and borrowed another, awakening in herself a deep passion for literature. A passion that slowly begins to affect her everyday life and her very public job.
I most definitely had a smile on myself through this one! The Queen is very much a figurehead in my country. Although we acknowledge her presence and place in our history, most (save the royalists) are glad that she has so little authority, and as such, show very little interest in her private life, which she keeps under wraps. This book gave a little insight into an idea of a person, one who is so very public. That idea was amusing and warm, stern and responsible, but who hadn't truly lived in the way your average person has. Such a sheltered life, I almost pity the woman, though thinking back to the changes she must have witnessed over the years, I imagine she might be a very interesting person to have a cup of tea and a chat with.
Full of British politicians and quirky Palace employees, and of course, the Queen herself, The Uncommon Reader is a tale of one woman realising, it is never too late to discover a passion that can completely change your life. A highly enjoyable though very short read, and oh so worth it!
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13 comments:
If it makes you feel better, I still haven't read it. :-) I do want to though. I am glad you enjoyed it so much!
I love Bennett's work, currently reading "Talking Heads", his series of monologues.
I'll definitely give this a read as well.
This book always looks so cute when I pick it up at the bookstore, but I'm one of those people who has to buy books of a certain physical thickness to make them seem like they're worth the money. I must get out of that, somehow....
x
Aimee
I've always been a bit ambivalent about Bennett but really enjoyed Untold Stories.
I wasn't overly impressed by The Uncommon Reader, though. I thought it was a nice but weak story whihc I enjoyed but left no lasting impact or desire to revisit.
I loved this book! A must-read for all booklovers! :D
Sounds intriguing!
I enjoy your novel choices and your reviews!
I haven't read this book either. I picked it up from the library once but I didn't get around to it. I've never read anything by Alan Bennett. In fact, I know very little about him! But I've only ever heard good things about this book, so one of these days..
I enjoyed this book when I read it last year. :)
I only read it last year and enjoyed it lots. The idea of the Queen picking what books to read and it being considered subversive was a fun idea.
Literary Feline - Oh good, I'm not the last!
Sam Liu - I hope you enjoy it.
Aimee - I'm the same, so I used the library instead :)
Oneexwidow - Sometimes its hard for a novella to have an impact, and this story didn't exactly stay with me, but I really enjoyed it.
Melody and Kailana - Glad you loved it!
Rebecca - Most definitely, and such a very quick read.
SB - Thanks!
Clover - I think you might enjoy it. Very quirky read.
Rhinoa - Definitely. I have this idea now that the Queen is that daring in reality!
You're not the last person on the planet to read this! I still haven't. I will though, it sounds too much fun to miss out:) Plus, it's tiny :P
It really is!
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