The Uncommon Reader: A Novella

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 ( JR Ackerley, Jean Genet, Ivy Compton Burnett and the classics) and intelligently. Her reading naturally changes her world view and her relationship with people like 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.

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Published Sep 18, 2007

126 pages

Average rating: 7.43

68 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Sue Dix
Mar 14, 2026
10/10 stars
Sometimes the shortest books are the best books. This charming gem is excellently written and a marvelously enjoyable read.
LeighW
Dec 10, 2025
10/10 stars
This was a second reading, as it was a prior read at a different book club. I enjoyed it as much as the first time, perhaps more. That is always the best indicator for me of a successful writer-reader connection.
faetedfantasy
Aug 18, 2024
6/10 stars
A cute little book, good for a palette cleanser but not as funny as I had hoped ☺️
Bonnie Des
Nov 12, 2025
Real or imaginary it gave us a window into the royal duties and expectations of the queen . I enjoyed the humor and point of view. Easy read, delightful!!!
Dodger
Apr 20, 2024
9/10 stars
A biting satire of the the British class system and the Royal Family. Bennett skewers the lot of them. Laugh out loud funny!

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