The Uncommon Reader
Author(s): Alan Bennett
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 (J. R. Ackerley, Jean Genet, Ivy Compton Burnett, and the classics) and intelligently. Her reading naturally changes her world view and her relationship with people such as 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.
2007, First edition, first printing. A fine, unmarked copy in a very good, unclipped d/w with some light soiling.
Product Information
Shortlisted for Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize 2008 and Independent Booksellers' Book of the Year Award: Adults 2008.
'a masterpiece of comic brevity' Robert McCrum, The Observer'An exquisitely produced jewel of a book ... [but] beneath the tasteful gilt-and-beige cover seethes a savagely Swiftian indignation against stupidity, Philistinism and arrogance in public places, and a passionate argument for the civilising power of art.' Jane Shilling, The Times'This is a small masterpiece and I suggest you spend an evening curled up on a sofa with it, forthwith.' Susan HIll
Alan Bennett is one of the most celebrated writers in Britain today. His play (and film) The History Boys won seven Emmys in New York and was the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre. He was named 'Author of the Year' at the 2006 British Book Awards.
General Fields
- :
- : Faber & Faber
- : Faber & Faber
- : 0.215
- : 31 August 2007
- : \
- : United Kingdom
- : books
Special Fields
- : Modern fiction
- : 160
- : very good
- : 823.914
- : English
- : hardback with dustjacket
- : Alan Bennett