In this delightful short novel we encounter someone who epitomises the notion of being uncommon, the Queen of England, suddenly discovering the pleasures of the common pursuit of reading.

With her well known penchant for horses, dogs, and the outdoor life, it comes as a delicious surprise to find Alan Bennett playing with the conceit that she is now throwing herself into the pleasures of reading with equal enthusiasm and dedication.

Bennett's use of the mobile library as her introduction to the pleasures of reading brings this most uncommon reader into the world of the common people who borrow their books regularly and whose lives are enriched by the interaction between them and the writers' imaginations.

The Queen enjoys borrowing and reading to such an extent that she allows herself to become passionate about it and begins to neglect her duties, even reading in the ceremonial carriage as she absentmindedly waves her gloved hand through the window.
Her reactions on works ranging from Samuel Johnson to the memoirs of Lauren Bacall are fresh, original and amusing.

The interplay of courtiers and aides reveals them to be distinctly unamused as the queen engages in a more sincere and forthright manner with people on her official duties by asking them what they are currently reading, and thus causing ripples in the time-honoured formal conversational etiquette of such occasions.

Bennett explores the imaginative conceit behind this gem of a story in an utterly charming way, and manages to leave a surprise for the delighted reader in the final pages.

This is an utterly enjoyable book, one I didn't want to put down at all, and unfortunately, consumed, like a delicious dessert, in far too short a time.

Click HERE to see the impression of Grinning Cat 2 on this book