Derek Haas Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 I looked for a thread on this but couldn't find one, other than a few people mentioning they had bought the book or were beginning to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it... read it in two hours. Anyone who loves books and who has thought about writing one should enjoy this. It's witty, often funny, and creates a refreshing character out of a very public figure. A quick afternoon read while you're tackling something more imposing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I looked for a thread on this but couldn't find one, other than a few people mentioning they had bought the book or were beginning to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it... read it in two hours. Anyone who loves books and who has thought about writing one should enjoy this. It's witty, often funny, and creates a refreshing character out of a very public figure. A quick afternoon read while you're tackling something more imposing... This is in my amazon shopping basket. It will probably make it to my birthday or Christmas list. I've not read any Alan Bennet before, but this looks like a good little starter kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renniemist Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 This is a great story. I had the audio version and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Some laugh out loud moments and an excellent ending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I'm halfway through it, so I'll come back to this thread when I've finished it! I'm enjoying the way the footmen etc are finding reading such a subversive act. Not so keen on Queenie's attitude to the fantasy genre though! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Haas Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 Yes, great last line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 That's it - I've succumbed and ordered it! I've been eyeing it up for quite a while now and I finally gave in. It should arrive withn the next week or so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mia Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 (edited) Well, I finished this last night and despite my earlier post, I wasn't that impressed. I thought it started out well but declined around the middle and became quite boring and repetitive. It seemed to meander along without really getting anywhere. This is the first Alan Bennett I've read, and I wasn't too keen on his style or sentence construction. There were a few sentences I had to read two or three times before they made sense. It was okay, but for such an interesting idea I think it could have been a whole lot more than it was. It was like Bennett just scratched the surface without really getting into things (it is a very thin book). There were a couple of laugh out loud moments but for superior humour and satire I prefer Sue Townsend, who makes it seem effortless. This was rather laboured, in my opinion. ETA: Yes, the last line was good. Edited August 21, 2008 by Mia Forgot the last bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nellie Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I really enjoyed this, it was a nice gentle read, with some great moments. I didn't expect it to be great literature, should I have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 I also enjoyed this book. I read it all this afternoon. I found it a funny, easy, quick read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 There were lots of things I liked about this little novella. I liked the way that the peripheral characters were portrayed, especially the Duke (even though he didn't feature a great deal), and I thought that the build-up of the Queen's relationship with Norman was both plausible and touching. What I didn't believe after all the build up of their rapport is that the Queen wouldn't take the time to find out where Norman was when he left whilst she was away. I don't know anything about life inside a royal palace and yet the staff and the characters in the advisory roles felt real. I really enjoyed the facts about real authors/books which were dropped into the book. I do wonder whether Alan Bennett and the Queen have met and whether she said something to him in passing which gave him the idea for the book. I liked the way that the Queen softened her attitude to "real" people throughout the book, for example, when she said "oh do get on with it" to someone in her book and then called the maid to ensure she didn't think it was her to whom the Queen was referring. It had some sparks of brilliance and some really funny lines, and I loved the ending, but despite all this, it left me feeling ultimately unsatisfied, although I can't really put my finger on why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted September 3, 2008 Share Posted September 3, 2008 I have to admit, I found this little book absolutely hilarious! So witty! I could imagine things happening excatly that way and, yo'ure right, the ending it superb! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 This is a completely lovely little book, a warm and comfortingly funny read. I've never read any other Alan Bennett, although I've always wanted to, as whenever I see him interviewed, he comes across as a very interesting man. I have another of his books at home, so maybe when I've cleared by TBR pile a bit more, I'll try and read that one as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
France Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 Loved the beginning, adored the end, thought it sagged a little in the middle though. Well worth reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenwood Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I thought this was a sweet little gem - so funny - but like Janet I was left a little unsatisfied... maybe because it was so short? I read it for a reading group and we didn't really discuss it for very long, other than the idea that reading changes the reader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterBus Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett. Faber and Faber (2007) Mr Bennett wrote this in 2007 but it remains as apposite, if not more so, in 2012. It is invariably described as 'charming' or 'delightful' and won't fail to disappoint on that level. It tells of the Queen stumbling across a mobile library which visits the courtyards of Buckingham Palace - and how she then rediscovers the joy of reading. Her joy of reading, however, slowly takes over from her joy of performing royal duties. It's written in Mr Bennett's own delightful way with some delicious 'observations' on the private life of the most private person in Britain (it's hard to forget in these celebrity times that she's one celebrity who has never given an interview). But you are left thinking (I was going to say 'one is left thinking' but that would be awful!) 'Why have I never seen the Queen reading a book?' Perhaps she is an avid reader in private. Or as Mr Bennett suggests, she might do it surreptitiously in her carriage while waving to the crowds. Or she might be as disinterested in reading as many folk are in this technological age. But if she does read books, what genre does she read? Barbara Cartland? Modern gothic? Poetry? Celebrity biographies? Or perhaps Fifty Shades of Gray on a Kindle she keeps in her handbag? And wouldn't it be a boost to reading if she was photographed reading a book. (It would be even more cool though if Prince Harry was snapped reading a book by Alan Bennett!). So c'mon ma'am: The next time you're in your carriage, just lift the book off your lap so we can all be delighted, saddened, shocked - or amused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I loved this book when I read it a few years ago - there's actually already a thread on it here --> http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/2575-the-uncommon-reader-alan-bennett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Thanks Chesil. I've merged the threads. I think I'll bump this book up my TBR pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 I think I'll bump this book up my TBR pile. I recommend you do that! I just recently re-read this, and it was adorable. I found a lot of things in common with the way the Queen writing lists of books and looking for more to read and my own bookish journey. it was like reading my own sentiments on the way things have changed for me after joining the BCF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megustaleer Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 I love this little story. I have it on audiobook, read by Alan Bennett himself, which makes it even more delightful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 17, 2021 Share Posted February 17, 2021 I really enjoyed this story too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Faversham Posted April 16, 2021 Share Posted April 16, 2021 I've got this in audio, read by the author - loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted April 18, 2021 Share Posted April 18, 2021 Saw this recommended, looked it up and discovered it available as an audiobook, read by Bennett, from the library. It is indeed delightful and makes me want to read more from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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