The Uncommon Reader
Registered by bestfriends of - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on 3/16/2009
This book is in a Controlled Release!
This book is in a Controlled Release!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Monday, March 16, 2009
From the cover:
"Led by her yapping corgis to the Westminster travelling library outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen finds herself taking out a novel by Ivy Compton-Burnett. Duff read though it is, the following week her choice proves more enjoyable and 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 Becket, her equerries conspire to bring the Queen's literary odyssey to a close".
from Amazon.uk:
'A masterpiece of comic brevity'
-Observer
'For all its hilarity The Uncommon Reader has a heartfelt tone. It offers a lament on old age, some thoughts on reticence and a backward glance at a life wasted.'
-Sunday Times
'An exquisitely produced jewel of a book.'
-The Times
'pure gold... you would be hard put to find a defter satire on British philistinism... the dialogue is priceless.'
-Mail on Sunday
'Light, fresh, witty and warm.'
-Daily Telegraph
"Led by her yapping corgis to the Westminster travelling library outside Buckingham Palace, the Queen finds herself taking out a novel by Ivy Compton-Burnett. Duff read though it is, the following week her choice proves more enjoyable and 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 Becket, her equerries conspire to bring the Queen's literary odyssey to a close".
from Amazon.uk:
'A masterpiece of comic brevity'
-Observer
'For all its hilarity The Uncommon Reader has a heartfelt tone. It offers a lament on old age, some thoughts on reticence and a backward glance at a life wasted.'
-Sunday Times
'An exquisitely produced jewel of a book.'
-The Times
'pure gold... you would be hard put to find a defter satire on British philistinism... the dialogue is priceless.'
-Mail on Sunday
'Light, fresh, witty and warm.'
-Daily Telegraph
Journal Entry 2 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Saturday, March 21, 2009
This really is a little gem, I would like to share with others. So I have announced a ring. Looking forward to all the journal entries! If only H.M. the Queen herself would be on the list! Or do you think she has read it already??
guidelines:
Please:
• make a journal entry when the book arrives
• try to read it within a month (or less, this is only a small book!)
• PM the next on the list to ask for his/her address
• make a new journal entry when finished, to let us know what you think of the book
• wrap it up well and send it on (mention the date in JE or make a release note). Cheapest postal rate is fine.
• PM me in case of any problems/unforeseen delay. (please don't skip anyone without letting me know first!)
• Enjoy the book!
Please sign my Guest map if you joined this ring
Shipping list
The final order has been juggled between geography, date of request and shipping limitations.
lidlekiwi UK=>UK
DryKid UK=>UK (Int. if necessary)
Hayes13 Italy=>anywhere
LindyLouMac Europe=>Italy=>Europe
ruzena Finland => anywhere
bookmaniac Bulgaria=> anywhere
biblioknoef France=>anywhere
NMReader US=>US only
Bug2004 US=>US
Maurean US=>Int. <= skipped due to no reply
geishabird CAN=>anywhere <= September 2nd
Mozette AUS=>anywhere <= had already read the book.
Lisagt AUS=>anywhere <= had already read the book.
Completed.
guidelines:
Please:
• make a journal entry when the book arrives
• try to read it within a month (or less, this is only a small book!)
• PM the next on the list to ask for his/her address
• make a new journal entry when finished, to let us know what you think of the book
• wrap it up well and send it on (mention the date in JE or make a release note). Cheapest postal rate is fine.
• PM me in case of any problems/unforeseen delay. (please don't skip anyone without letting me know first!)
• Enjoy the book!
Please sign my Guest map if you joined this ring
Shipping list
The final order has been juggled between geography, date of request and shipping limitations.
lidlekiwi UK=>UK
DryKid UK=>UK (Int. if necessary)
Hayes13 Italy=>anywhere
LindyLouMac Europe=>Italy=>Europe
ruzena Finland => anywhere
bookmaniac Bulgaria=> anywhere
biblioknoef France=>anywhere
NMReader US=>US only
Bug2004 US=>US
geishabird CAN=>anywhere <= September 2nd
Completed.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to lidlekiwi in London.
Off to lidlekiwi in London.
Hi, the book arrived today.
Thanks for sending it! I look forward to reading it
Thanks for sending it! I look forward to reading it
Thank you for sharing this book, it was very kind.
Though the book is at times annoyingly snobbish and banging on that people don't read enough. The book was quite funny in places. I also didn't like the references to Sir Kevin and New Zealand.
Though the book is at times annoyingly snobbish and banging on that people don't read enough. The book was quite funny in places. I also didn't like the references to Sir Kevin and New Zealand.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/10/2009 UTC) at Hammersmith, Greater London United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to Tom Pritchard, who was next on the list. It went first class, so he should get it on Monday
Posted to Tom Pritchard, who was next on the list. It went first class, so he should get it on Monday
Arrived in the post today with a nice card and bookmark, thanks lidlekiwi! Looking forward to reading it.
I really enjoyed this, what a great premise for a book, the Queen discovers a love of reading! I found it a very gentle and witty read and managed to finish it in one sitting. I loved the idea of finding yourself and "your own voice" through literature. The writing style was very easy to read and the dialogue was funny and insightful. The ending was a real surprise and finished this novella perfectly. I wonder if the Queen has discovered bookcrossing yet.
Released 14 yrs ago (5/27/2009 UTC) at By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Posted to next in the ring today.
Posted to next in the ring today.
This was waiting for me on my return from a weekend away! Wonderful! I can't wait to read it!! Thank you DryKid!!
PS: Nice postcard!!
PS: Nice postcard!!
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I loved this book so much that I will buy a copy to keep and re-read.
One wonders if the Queen has read it...
Thank you for starting this!
I loved this book so much that I will buy a copy to keep and re-read.
One wonders if the Queen has read it...
Thank you for starting this!
Phew a sigh of relief all round that this has finally arrived with me! It was posted in Roma on June 9th so I think the postmen must have walked from there!! I am sure bestfriends and Hays will be delighted the book is safe, thanks to you both.
A novella from the pen of the brilliant Alan Bennett. Written with his renowned dry sense of humour this is an excellent quick read.
The queen had no idea that a mobile library van even made a regular visit to Buckingham Palace until one day whilst walking her corgis in the palace grounds they came across it. At first she borrowed a book out of politeness but soon discovers the joy of reading. With the guidance of another travelling library member, Norman who works in the palace kitchens, she becomes widely read. She soon finds that she prefers reading to her duties as monarch to the dismay of the palace staff. This new passion of the queens leads her to behave somewhat differently than she has ever done before when undertaking her duties.
Brilliant and witty, it is a short and enjoyable read, full of interesting facts which will be a delight to anyone fascinated by the world of books.
I have already sent a pm to the next reader so will be en route soon hopefully.
The queen had no idea that a mobile library van even made a regular visit to Buckingham Palace until one day whilst walking her corgis in the palace grounds they came across it. At first she borrowed a book out of politeness but soon discovers the joy of reading. With the guidance of another travelling library member, Norman who works in the palace kitchens, she becomes widely read. She soon finds that she prefers reading to her duties as monarch to the dismay of the palace staff. This new passion of the queens leads her to behave somewhat differently than she has ever done before when undertaking her duties.
Brilliant and witty, it is a short and enjoyable read, full of interesting facts which will be a delight to anyone fascinated by the world of books.
I have already sent a pm to the next reader so will be en route soon hopefully.
Journal Entry 15 by LindyLouMac at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, July 17, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (7/17/2009 UTC) at To the next participant, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
En route to Ruzena in Finland.
Happy reading
LindyLouMac
En route to Ruzena in Finland.
Happy reading
LindyLouMac
Hilarious! I enjoyed, above all, the brisk dialogue which contributed much to the marvellous laconic humor in Bennett's text. Yet the book was not only funny but also witty.
A friend of mine, a writer, says, "When we are reading a book, we are reading our selves". I found the same thought here, but sovereign as one is, one formulates it more juridical: "You go to a book to have your convictions corroborated". Yess!
Thank you bestfriends for sharing this book. It is a Must for every Book Lover :)
-ruzena
A friend of mine, a writer, says, "When we are reading a book, we are reading our selves". I found the same thought here, but sovereign as one is, one formulates it more juridical: "You go to a book to have your convictions corroborated". Yess!
Thank you bestfriends for sharing this book. It is a Must for every Book Lover :)
-ruzena
Journal Entry 18 by 
ruzena
at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Sunday, August 16, 2009
ruzena at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada on Sunday, August 16, 2009
Released 14 yrs ago (8/17/2009 UTC) at Bookring/Bookray, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- Canada
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
One hits the road again.
One hits the road again.
The book arrived in Sofia. Thank you,bestfriends,for adding me to your bookring! I shall post an update soon.
I agree wholeheartedly with bestfriends that this book is a little gem. It is a pure delight to read. It`s a sweet explanation of love for literature,reading and humanity. Some quotations about literature are little gems. I enjoyed it and express once again my gratitude for being given the opportunity of participating in this wonderful bookring!
Released 14 yrs ago (9/9/2009 UTC) at
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to biblioknoef.
Sent to biblioknoef.
Journal Entry 22 by biblioknoef from Boutenac, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Monday, September 28, 2009
Found in my mailbox today (thanks bookmaniac70) and looking much forward to reading it!
Journal Entry 23 by biblioknoef from Boutenac, Languedoc-Roussillon France on Saturday, February 13, 2010
A charming book that made me chuckle a lot. Alan Bennett takes the Queen down from her “highness” and turns her into a sympathic normal human being - a change caused by the power of literature. But although everybody around her tries to get her back into her former state, the Queen keeps pulling the strings until the startling end. Alan Bennetts amusing, ironic style makes me want to read more of these little “gems”. Thanks for sharing bestfriends!
Book will be sent on to NMReader as soon as I have got the address.
Book will be sent on to NMReader as soon as I have got the address.
Waiting for me on my desk when I arrived today. I have several books in front of it but will try to hurry to it.
I thought a status update might be welcomed.
While this book should still be under several others on mount TBR, I have started it.
I have gotten to page 60. The Queen has started asking people having audiences with her what they are reading. Very enjoyable so far.
While this book should still be under several others on mount TBR, I have started it.
I have gotten to page 60. The Queen has started asking people having audiences with her what they are reading. Very enjoyable so far.
A delightful quick read about what happens when the Queen takes up reading.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I hope to go to the PO after work today and get this on its way along with 2 other books for Bug2004.
Delivery Confirmation Number: 0309 3220 0001 8484 9670
I hope to go to the PO after work today and get this on its way along with 2 other books for Bug2004.
Delivery Confirmation Number: 0309 3220 0001 8484 9670
Journal Entry 29 by bestfriends from - Ergens in de provincie, Gelderland Netherlands on Saturday, May 22, 2010
This book should be moving by now. Not for me, I've read the book, but others are still waiting.
A fun, quirky read. Sorry to have kept it way too long. Snt pm for address, however my pms have not been working well lately, so hope for the best!!! I'll give it a day or two.
Fantastic read!!! Loved it!!!
I've pm'd Maurean, but have not heard back yet. I will wait out the weekend, try again and then if not...move on.
I've pm'd Maurean, but have not heard back yet. I will wait out the weekend, try again and then if not...move on.
Have not heard from Maurean...pm'd next in line.
After several attempts, never heard from Maurean. Snt to geishabird today.
Till date geishabird never received the book, which means it has been in transit for more than one month. I asked Bug2004 for an explanation of this delay (forgotten to mail it/did she use a special slow postal service like surface mail?), but she did not reply to my PM.
I'm beginning to think this book is MIA now. If Lost Book Island still exists I will need to make a reservation soon I guess. Such a shame!
I'm beginning to think this book is MIA now. If Lost Book Island still exists I will need to make a reservation soon I guess. Such a shame!
Book has arrived safely! Thanks so much. I'll have it read shortly.
Like most people in this ring, I was charmed by this little book. Some great observations on literature, and it was fun seeing the Queen as a "regular" person. (I'll never look at a $20 bill the same way again.) A very nice little read. I was delighted to discover that Alan Bennett wrote the screenplay for "A Private Function", one of my favourite movies. ("With us, there's a pig. Anyone else, no pig.") Like many of you, I am curious as to whether the Queen knows of or has read this book. I wouldn't be surprised if she has. Thanks for sharing this.
The next two readers on the shippinglist had already read the book, so the ring has been completed now. No need to return it to me. I hope it will continue its journey though!
Thanks everybody who participated for your reviews and sending it along.
Thanks everybody who participated for your reviews and sending it along.
I loaned this to my mother quite a while ago and she has now (finally!) read it and returned it me me. (She enjoyed it very much.)
Journal Entry 39 by geishabird at Harbord House Pub in Toronto, Ontario Canada on Sunday, May 17, 2015
Released 8 yrs ago (5/17/2015 UTC) at Harbord House Pub in Toronto, Ontario Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
Bringing to today's meetup. If not claimed, will be left on the bookshelves or released in the area.
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
I have been wanting to read this book for about two years, so was very glad to grab it at the meetup in Toronto. Thank you!
Read this book on my flight from TO. Lovely book,, thanks again for sharing! Ran into a kindred book reader at lunch and passed it on to her.. This book will be going to Virginia!
