The Uncommon Reader

by Alan Bennet
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The English court and the Prime Minister have a problem. The Queen who used to be so reliable, conscientious, punctual and predictable has a new passion that offers her a new perspective on life. She was one day led by her disobedient dogs to the book bus that regularly visits the castle. To be polite she borrowed a book and when she came to return it she found herself borrowing another.

Now she sneaks a book with her to all kinds of events. She has learned to pretend to be attentive, smile and wave at the same time as she is really reading a book carefully kept out of sight of the spectators. Many attempts are made to cause the Queen's books to be left behind but that only causes her to be more unpredictable and difficult to control. Something has to be done to end the Queen's disturbing addiction to reading.

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I had read a lot of good things about this book and the language was just as I had hoped a perfectly worded British English. And for someone who loves to read it is always lovely with books that centers around the love of books and reading. And this book is filled with references to books and authors and the Queen's opinions on the same.

But my expectations might have been too high. I think it is obvious that Bennet mostly writes drama. The great things about the book is the language, the dialogue, the sharp observations and the love of reading. But the book is short and for me it also seemed thin; no real richness in characters or storyline.

I still recommend this book to all those who love reading. Perhaps as the book equivalent of a refreshing sorbet between two heavier courses.