The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennett

The Queen hesitated, because to tell the truth she wasn’t sure. She’d never taken much interest in reading.

The Queen said: ‘Yes. That is exactly what it is. A book is a device to ignite the imagination.’

I am an opsimath.’

one who learns only late in life.’

The Canadians were not, so far as Norman knew, a bookish people,

reading was, among other things, a muscle and

one that she had seemingly developed.