The Uncommon Reader: A Novella - Hardcover

"Hilarious and pointed . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a political and literary satire. But it's also a lovely lesson in the redemptive and subversive power of reading and how one book can lead to another and another and another. . . . But most of all, "The Uncommon Reader" is a lot of fun to read."--Bob Minzesheimer, "USA"" Today"

"One of the most subtly ingratiating prose stylists of our time . . . charming enough and wise enough that you will certainly want to keep it around for rereading--unless you decided to share it with friends."--Michael Dirda, "The Washington Post"

"Clever and entertaining . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a celebration ofboth reading and its counterpart, independent thinking."--Maud Newton, "Los Angeles"" Times"

"Alan Bennett is one of the greatest comic writers alive, and "The Uncommon Reader" is Bennett at his best--touching, thoughtful, hilarious, and exquisite in its observations."--Helen Fielding, author of "Bridget Jones's Diary

""In "The Uncommon Reader", Bennett poses a delicious and very funny what-if . . . a delightful little book that unfolds into a witty meditation on the subversive pleasures of reading. . . . Mr. Bennett has written a captivating fairy tale . . . a tale that showcases its author's customary elan and keen but humane wit."--Michiko Kakutani, "The New York Times

""Hilarious and stunning . . . The conceit offered here by Mr. Bennett, the beloved British author and dramatist, is that a woman of power can find and love the power in books. It is a simple equation and one that yields deep rewards. In what is a surprising and surprisingly touching novella, Mr. Bennett shows us why books matter to the queen, his "uncommon reader" and why they matter so much to the rest of us."--Carol Herman, "The Washington Times"

"Hilarious and pointed . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a political and literary satire. But it's also a lovely lesson in the redemptive and subversive power of reading and how one book can lead to another and another and another. . . . But most of all, "The Uncommon Reader" is a lot of fun to read."--Bob Minzesheimer, "USA"" Today"

"One of the most subtly ingratiating prose stylists of our time . . . charming enough and wise enough that you will certainly want to keep it around for rereading--unless you decided to share it with friends."--Michael Dirda, "The Washington Post"

"Clever and entertaining . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a celebration of both reading and its counterpart, independent thinking."--Maud Newton, "Los Angeles"" Times"

Alan Bennett is one of the greatest comic writers alive, and "The Uncommon Reader" is Bennett at his best--touching, thoughtful, hilarious, and exquisite in its observations. "Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary"

In "The Uncommon Reader," Bennett poses a delicious and very funny what-if . . . a delightful little book that unfolds into a witty meditation on the subversive pleasures of reading. . . . Mr. Bennett has written a captivating fairy tale . . . a tale that showcases its author's customary elan and keen but humane wit. "Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times"

Hilarious and stunning . . . The conceit offered here by Mr. Bennett, the beloved British author and dramatist, is that a woman of power can find and love the power in books. It is a simple equation and one that yields deep rewards. In what is a surprising and surprisingly touching novella, Mr. Bennett shows us why books matter to the queen, his "uncommon reader" and why they matter so much to the rest of us. "Carol Herman, The Washington Times"

Hilarious and pointed . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a political and literary satire. But it's also a lovely lesson in the redemptive and subversive power of reading and how one book can lead to another and another and another. . . . But most of all, "The Uncommon Reader" is a lot of fun to read. "Bob Minzesheimer, USA Today"

One of the most subtly ingratiating prose stylists of our time . . . charming enough and wise enough that you will certainly want to keep it around for rereading--unless you decided to share it with friends. "Michael Dirda, The Washington Post"

Clever and entertaining . . . "The Uncommon Reader" is a celebration of both reading and its counterpart, independent thinking. "Maud Newton, Los Angeles Times""

A delicious and very funny what-if.... a delightful little book that unfolds into a witty meditation on the subversive pleasures of reading.... Mr. Bennett has written a captivating fairy tale ... a tale that showcases its author's customary elan and keen but humane wit. Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

Bennett's jokes are so beautifully modulated.... The Uncommon Reader is a piece of audacious lese majeste which, in an earlier age, would have put its author's head on a spike.... Bennett knows what he is doing. The Guardian

A kind of palace fairy tale for grown-ups.... [[Bennett's]] account of the queen's adventures often made me laugh out loud. Jeremy McCarter, The New York Times

Briskly original and subversively funny. Publishers Weekly

[Bennett's] subtle wit and tonal command show why he is so beloved in his native Britain. Kirkus Reviews

Alan Bennett is one of the greatest comic writers alive, and The Uncommon Reader is Bennett at his best--touching, thoughtful, hilarious, and exquisite in its observations. Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary

Hilarious and stunning . . . The conceit offered here by Mr. Bennett, the beloved British author and dramatist, is that a woman of power can find and love the power in books. It is a simple equation and one that yields deep rewards. In what is a surprising and surprisingly touching novella, Mr. Bennett shows us why books matter to the queen, his "uncommon reader" and why they matter so much to the rest of us. Carol Herman, The Washington Times

Hilarious and pointed . . . The Uncommon Reader is a political and literary satire. But it's also a lovely lesson in the redemptive and subversive power of reading and how one book can lead to another and another and another. . . . But most of all, The Uncommon Reader is a lot of fun to read. Bob Minzesheimer, USA Today

One of the most subtly ingratiating prose stylists of our time . . . charming enough and wise enough that you will certainly want to keep it around for rereading--unless you decided to share it with friends. Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

Clever and entertaining . . . The Uncommon Reader is a celebration of both reading and its counterpart, independent thinking. Maud Newton, Los Angeles Times

"A delicious and very funny what-if.... a delightful little book that unfolds into a witty meditation on the subversive pleasures of reading.... Mr. Bennett has written a captivating fairy tale ... a tale that showcases its author's customary elan and keen but humane wit." --Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times

"Bennett's jokes are so beautifully modulated.... The Uncommon Reader is a piece of audacious lese majeste which, in an earlier age, would have put its author's head on a spike.... Bennett knows what he is doing." --The Guardian

"A kind of palace fairy tale for grown-ups.... [[Bennett's]] account of the queen's adventures often made me laugh out loud." --Jeremy McCarter, The New York Times

"Briskly original and subversively funny." --Publishers Weekly

"[Bennett's] subtle wit and tonal command show why he is so beloved in his native Britain." --Kirkus Reviews

"Alan Bennett is one of the greatest comic writers alive, and The Uncommon Reader is Bennett at his best--touching, thoughtful, hilarious, and exquisite in its observations." --Helen Fielding, author of Bridget Jones's Diary

"Hilarious and stunning . . . The conceit offered here by Mr. Bennett, the beloved British author and dramatist, is that a woman of power can find and love the power in books. It is a simple equation and one that yields deep rewards. In what is a surprising and surprisingly touching novella, Mr. Bennett shows us why books matter to the queen, his "uncommon reader" and why they matter so much to the rest of us." --Carol Herman, The Washington Times

"Hilarious and pointed . . . The Uncommon Reader is a political and literary satire. But it's also a lovely lesson in the redemptive and subversive power of reading and how one book can lead to another and another and another. . . . But most of all, The Uncommon Reader is a lot of fun to read." --Bob Minzesheimer, USA Today

"One of the most subtly ingratiating prose stylists of our time . . . charming enough and wise enough that you will certainly want to keep it around for rereading--unless you decided to share it with friends." --Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

"Clever and entertaining . . . The Uncommon Reader is a celebration of both reading and its counterpart, independent thinking." --Maud Newton, Los Angeles Times