10
Dec
2009
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
I was a bit skeptical about this, as I have a certain disapproval about fiction about real people, living or dead. But I must say I found this one delightful! With an exclamation point!
Part of why I felt O.K. about this book, which is based on Queen Elizabeth II, is because I could almost imagined it was about a different Queen in a different country which is the exact parallel in almost every regard to the U.K.
In fact, what is so remarkable, about writing about the current sovereign of the U.K. is that so much of it is about how we, as in the rest of the entire world, do not have any idea of the Queen’s personality. In fact, because she is bound by her sense of duty, she basically has no personality.
By chance, she happens to read a book, almost as an obligation, as she would not read otherwise. Reading is not doing, and doing is her duty.
But she ends up becoming totally captivating by books. She doesn’t want to dedicate new buildings or anything, she just wants to read.
But nobody else likes it. The PM, her assistant, the public. Which brings us back to a question I’ve been pondering lately–why do we read? Ah, this review is not the place to muse on my opinions, but it is a bit of a theme in the book.
What the Queen really needs, is a blog. A book blog. Where she could anonymously share her thoughts about books.
Buy The Uncommon Reader on Amazon
If you like this book/author, you might like:
(my reviews in blue)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows
84, Charring Cross Road by Helen Hanff
The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz
A Short History of Women by Kate Walbert
The Mitfords: Letters Between Six Sisters by Charlotte Mosley
Other works by Alan Bennett:
The Clothes They Stood Up In and The Lady in the Van
Writing Home
The Complete Talking Heads
The History Boys: A Play
Untold Stories
The Madness of King George
The Laying On of Hands: Stories
Two Kafka Plays: Kafka’s Dick and the Insurance Man
Single Spies
good review…it’s a may be for my wish list.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book too, but since it was Dewey’s review that originally prompted me to put this on my TBR, I knew there had to be something special about it.
I was so happy to learn she was right. It is a enjoyable read. I was moved by the way the story caused me to reflect on reading and how I read…and why.
Which kinda answers part of your question. I read for entertainment as I don’t go to movies and rarely watch TV. Call me a throwback, but I love board games, card games, and getting my groove on with a good book.
Uhm. Am thinking that didn’t come out right, but I think it gets the point across.
I hope.
Dewey’s review of this book convinced me to read it. I really loved this little book. I love your suggestion that the Queen start a blog. LOL she could be anonymous. Fantastic.
I’ll add a link to your review here: http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2009/02/uncommon-reader-by-alan-bennett.html
I bought this book on a whim and absolutely loved it! It is clever and witty and so well written. Definitely a book I recommend to my friends.
This did totally have an “alternate universe” feel to it. I think it was a great “what if” type of story.
I absolutely agree – I don’t remember how I ran across this book originally, but I loved it too – I found it charming and slightly surreal.
Darn…you figured out my secret identity!
I would definitely be a follower if the Queen has her own book blog. Would dearly love to know her thoughts on books!
Yup, this sounds like a very good book – nice review!