An Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

[Lisa]

The Uncommon Reader A Novella by Alan Bennett

A pleasurable little satire about the austere Queen Elizabeth II discovering the joy of reading after an impromptu visit to the bookmobile. What starts as an act of politeness, checking out a book so not to offend the BM employee, turns into an avid pastime and life altering event. I had to laugh out loud at the not so polite impressions people make about us bibliophiles. This book was an amusing way to spend a couple of hours.

[Wanda]

Lisa, I liked this one too. What was funny to me was how the Queen's secretary worried that her love of reading would somehow have an effect on his job (which it ultimately did) and how the Queen's love of reading enabled her to better relate to her subjects. Interesting.

[Lisa]

I laughed at how her staff thought she had the beginning of Alzheimer's because she was acting differently, when she was actually much more observant and mindful of the people around her. It kind of reminded me of Louisa May Alcott's quote, " She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain."

Her secretary and prime minister seemed to think reading was beneath her and they worried that it wasn't the politically correct thing to do. I found it funny the Queen admitted she never "did anything" because if she chose one activity, it might slight another.

[Betsy]

A friend gave this to me. She and her partner had enjoyed it so much that they kept buying copies and passing them on to people. Of course, bibliophiles reading this book is like preaching to the choir. How can we get it in the hands of those who don't read!?

Of course, I've passed it on to someone else - another bibliophile! I love feeling as though I am part of a subversive plot!

[LynnB]

I just read this one also. Very amusing!