The Uncommon Reader: A NovellaFrom the author of The History Boys and The Clothes They Stood Up In A deliciously funny novella that celebrates the pleasure of reading. When the Queen in pursuit of her wandering corgis stumbles upon a mobile library she feels duty bound to borrow a book. Aided by Norman, a young man from the palace kitchen who frequents the library, Bennett describes the Queen's transformation as she discovers the liberating pleasures of the written word. With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England's best loved author revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader's life. |
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actually ALAN BENNETT Alice Munro asked audience awkward borrow cake called Cecil Beaton chair course desk disliked Dog Tulip dogs door duke duty E. M. Forster East Anglia equerries feel felt garden George Gerald gone hands Henry James History Boys home secretary household human Hutchings Ian McEwan interest Ivy Compton-Burnett Jane Austen kitchens knew Lady late least less literature London Library ma'am maid Majesty Majesty's monarch Nancy Mitford never nodded Norman notebook novel occasional once one’s opened palace party perhaps prime minister prime minister's private secretary Queen looked Queen Mother Queen thought round royal family scarcely Seakins seemed seldom Sir Claude Sir Kevin sitting smiled helpfully someone special adviser sure surprise talk tell thing tion told took travelling library turned Uncommon Reader voice Wales Windsor wonder wrote young Zealand