The Uncommon Reader

Alan Bennett's classic story about the Queen

By: Alan Bennett

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Paperback | 25 March 2021

At a Glance

Paperback
128 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
4 x 2 x 1.5

Paperback

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The bestselling classic reissued for the Queen's 95th birthday.

What would happen if the Queen became a reader of taste and discernment rather than of Dick Francis? The answer is a perfect story.

The Uncommon Reader is none other than HM the Queen who drifts accidentally into reading when her corgis stray into a mobile library parked at Buckingham Palace. She reads widely ( JR Ackerley, Jean Genet, Ivy Compton Burnett and the classics) and intelligently. Her reading naturally changes her world view and her relationship with people like the oleaginous prime minister and his repellent advisers. She comes to question the prescribed order of the world and loses patience with much that she has to do. In short, her reading is subversive. The consequence is, of course, surprising, mildly shocking and very funny.

Industry Reviews

For all its hilarity The Uncommon Reader has a heartfelt tone. It offers a lament on old age, some thoughts on reticence and a backward glance at a life wasted. * Sunday Times *
An exquisitely produced jewel of a book. * The Times *
Pure gold ... you would be hard put to find a defter satire on British philistinism ... the dialogue is priceless. * Mail on Sunday *
Light, fresh, witty and warm. * Daily Telegraph *
Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader would make a perfect stocking filler for just about anyone. -- Monica Ali * The Guardian *
Testament to Bennett's extraordinary skill - genius even -- Nicholas Lezard * Guardian *
Wonderfully subversive * Independent *

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