... Alan Bennett's The Uncommon Reader
"Had the dogs not taken exception to the strange van parked in the royal grounds, the Queen might never have learnt of the Westminster travelling library's weekly visits to the Palace. But finding herself at its steps, she goes up to apologise for all the yapping and ends up taking out a novel by Ivy Compton-Burnett, last borrowed in 1989. Duff read though it proves to be, upbringing demands she finish it and, so as not to appear rude, she withdraws another. This second, more fortunate choice of book awakens in Her Majesty a passion for reading so great that her public duties begin to suffer. And so, as she devours work by everyone from Hardy to Brookner to Proust to Samuel Beckett, her equerries conspire to bring the Queen's literary odyssey to a close."
An utter treat!
A friend of mine is sending it to me to read! Can't think how I've somehow not got to it....LOVE Alan B.
Posted by: adele geras | 05 June 2012 at 05:37 PM
It's wonderful, Adele! I read it ages ago but just thought of it now after watching HM all day. I wonder if she gets to curl up with a book now that the festivities are over for the moment.
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 June 2012 at 05:40 PM
One of my favourites! I sipped it over several days. Did not want it to end.
Posted by: pamela | 05 June 2012 at 05:40 PM
I was helpless with laughter!
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 June 2012 at 05:42 PM
Only discovered this book last year - and it is a gem! A diamond one perhaps, and so amusing to think of the Queen travelling in the state coach with books secreted behind cushions etc.
Posted by: Jo | 05 June 2012 at 08:29 PM
Perfect Jubilee reading, I think!
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 June 2012 at 08:46 PM
He can't put a foot wrong for me. Love him!
Posted by: Claire | 05 June 2012 at 09:51 PM
He is marvellous.
Posted by: Cornflower | 05 June 2012 at 10:04 PM
I loved this, what a brilliant Jubilee read. The poor Queen, I'm sure she'd sooner have been tucked up reading anything, even Ivy C-B than shivering in the cold at that awful concert.
Posted by: m | 05 June 2012 at 11:04 PM
It is one of the most brilliant books ever, and if the Queen isn't like she is in this books in real life, then she should be! It is so funny, in that quiet, understated way Bennett has, and so well written, and so passionate about books. If more people read it because of the Jubilee, maybe I'll admit the jubilee was a Good Thing after all!
Posted by: Chris Harding | 06 June 2012 at 12:08 AM
This is indeed a delightful little gem! I listened to the audiobook with Alan Bennett reading it, and it was fun! Love the scene where the Queen waves to the public in her coach while secretly reading on her lap, hahahaa.....
Posted by: michelle | 06 June 2012 at 08:19 AM
She deserves full marks for endurance.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 June 2012 at 08:57 AM
I'd love to hear Alan Bennett read it - he must be perfect!
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 June 2012 at 08:58 AM
I'd love to know what she does read.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 June 2012 at 08:59 AM
I just loved the writing style!
Posted by: Mystica | 06 June 2012 at 10:30 AM
AB is a master of the art.
Posted by: Cornflower | 06 June 2012 at 11:21 AM
I like to think that under the tartan rug on her lap during the procession, a book was waiting underneath.
Posted by: Mary | 06 June 2012 at 02:38 PM
Years ago, one of the big bookshops - can't remember which one - used to send a bundle of books for her holidays on Britannia and the list was always published in the papers. Of course, whether she read them was another matter!
Posted by: m | 06 June 2012 at 02:41 PM
What a wonderful book! I so enjoyed it when I read it some time ago!
Posted by: Deirdre | 06 June 2012 at 10:15 PM
I wonder whether the books I saw on board were among the ones you mention. If so, they've been well read.
Posted by: Cornflower | 12 June 2012 at 02:43 PM