An Uncommon Reader

by Amos H. Hawley

Genres: Fiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listed in “1000 books to read before you die”. So I did. It was amusing but I wouldn’t put it as one I needed to read.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for myself. Were it not for duty, I would have read this in one day instead of two. It is a “witty” exploration of the value of reading. I consider myself a “doer” and wholeheartedly blame my inability to sit still for the first two thirds of my life as reason I only more recently became an avid reader.

I enjoyed the Queen’s journey: feeling no need to read, discovering books, becoming engrossed in reading, being judged by others for reading, questioning the value of reading vs doing, pondering if writing isn’t the more noble endeavor as it gives you voice and permanency in the world….

That one of the most privileged people on earth “suffers” this uncertainty suggests the universality of it. I suspect many readers I know would take sincere offense at the suggestion that reading has less value than doing. I don’t think this is the correct position as I do believe reading can increase empathy and skill which makes us better at doing. Alas, if one only reads (borrowing the Queen’s phrasing) and never does, what’s the point of gaining empathy or skill. Discuss!!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully clever novella - only 120 pages long. The story is about Queen Elizabeth of England, suddenly becoming an avid reader rather by chance. It is full of dry British humor as she ponders her new found love of reading and all the worlds being opened up to her through these pages. It pushes her to revaluate her own life and perceptions of the world. Any one who loves books and reading will enjoy this story.

[Susan Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful, imaginative, and thought provoking!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute short read about the queen finding a bookmobile at the palace and deciding to check out a book. Awesome results.

[Ery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate the British

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book's red cover caught my eye as I walked by a shelf at my library. I'm glad I picked it up because it turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable quick read and I wouldn't normally have chosen it.

It's a fictional story about what could happen if the Queen of England became a reader. As a lover of books myself, I was caught up in the Queen's growing delight in and hunger for books. The middle of the book gets a bit slow as the story focuses more on the Queen's internal growth, but it finishes fantastically!

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hysterically imagines the potential implications of the Queen of England becoming a devoted reader. I devoured this slim satire in a single transcontinental flight and, if I hadn't promised my friend that I would return her copy, I would have pressed it into the hands of another reader immediately.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at the Queen of England who starts neglicting her royal work to read after being introduced to a mobile book library. Rather clever but also rather short. I felt like I just got into it and then it (rather abruptly) ended.

[Coin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny red book that caught my eye while browsing in a second-hand bookshop, one of those books you read when you're not quite sure what you feel like reading...

Whets the appetite for reading, a book about reading.

Enjoyable read and can imagine HRH QE2 in this situation.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Hilarious, quick read. The Queen of England discovers the pleasures of reading...

[John Seman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read.

[Rohini Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different view on the Queen. A gentle, quick, witty read.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick read about the queen discovering reading then writing. Loved the ending.

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

only into a few pages but will read thru in a very short time. I love it!