'The Uncommon Reader' by Alan Bennett is a novella that explores what happens when the Queen of England unexpectedly discovers a love for reading. The story follows the Queen's journey as she delves into the world of books, much to the surprise and dismay of her palace staff. Through her newfound passion for reading, the Queen undergoes a transformation, becoming more observant and thoughtful. The book humorously portrays the clash between the Queen's reading obsession and her royal duties, providing a light-hearted yet insightful commentary on the power of books to influence one's life.
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From The Publisher:
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.
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The Uncommon Reader?
About the Author:
Alan Bennett has been one of England's leading dramatists since the success of Beyond the Fringe in the 1960s. His work includes the Talking Heads television series, and the stage plays Forty Years On, The Lady in the Van, A Question of Attribution, and The Madness of King George III. His play, The History Boys, filmed in 2006, won six Tony Awards, including best play. His memoir, Untold Stories, was a number-one bestseller in the United Kingdom.
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