The Uncommon Reader
Ratings37
Average rating3.6
The Uncommon Reader is none other than HM the Queen who drifts accidentally into reading when her corgis stray into a mobile library parked at Buckingham Palace. She reads widely ( JR Ackerley, Jean Genet, Ivy Compton Burnett and the classics) and intelligently. Her reading naturally changes her world view and her relationship with people like the oleaginous prime minister and his repellent advisers. She comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with much that she has to do. In short, her reading is subversive. The consequence is, of course, surprising, mildly shocking and very funny.
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This is a novella with a premise that the Queen of England takes up reading, and was a really fun romp. She discovers that she has never been encourageed to have an opinion but quite likes it; her staff stumble to figure out what she is doing and even get rid of her reading valet behind her back. She becomes more empathetic and understanding of her people and is dismayed when others don't also have knowledge about books. Very fun very quick read - would make for a lively book club discussion about the power of the books we read, or don't read.
Rainy day? Cup of tea, a few bickies and this short book. Another piece of Bennett magic.
A surprisingly fun novella. The premise of Queen Elizabeth II becoming a voracious bookworm was rather original and clever. The ending was surprising, but the good kind of surprising.
