From the front cover:

''A masterpiece of comic brevity.'
Observer'

From the back cover:

''As good as anything he has ever done.'
David Sexton, Evening Standard

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 Beckett, her equerries conspire to bring the Queen's literary odyssey to a close.

'A gloriously entertaining comic narrative, but it is also much more: a deadly serious manifesto for the potential of reading to change lives.' Edward Marriot, Observer

'A beguiling bedtime story for grown-ups.'
Lionel Shriver, Daily Telegraph'

This is a paperback edition from Faber&Faber, published in 2008. The book/story was originally published in 2006, and for the first time in book form in 2007.

I'm not at all familiar with this author, but this story just sounds completely charming. :-) Will read!

I bought this book in The American Bookstore in Arkadia mall in Warsaw, Poland, on Monday, March 16th, 2009. It cost 29 zlotys. :-)

I've read this book now, started it yesterday, finished it tonight.

It was a charming read mostly, I enjoyed it very much. There's quite a few gems of wisdom on reading and its benefits. There were details here and there in the story, and also language-wise, which left me ever so slightly disappointed, since after reading up on the author a bit online I had expected him to be a true proficient ... and there are some details, as I say, that were a bit off and that I personally would have changed. But these were just minor details and overall it was a very enjoyable read. Good and convincing characterization, a believable setting and an entertaining story. Well written for the most part. :-)

I'm thinking about turning this book into a ray by and by, since I think the subject matter would interest a lot of BookCrossers. We'll see. :-)

Bookring!! Three readers so far, more are eagerly welcomed. :-)

Jannike <-- BOOK IS HERE
sota48
Tine1971
...
More coming up?! :-)

Back home. :-)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

The book garnered interest from several attendees at the BC meetup this afternoon. It went home with Jannike, who I'm sure will like it. :-) Happy reading!!

I got this at the BC-meetup yesterday, and I have already finshed it.
This is really a small gem of a book. Very entertaining and well written. I wonder if the queen has read it?
It is a very easy read, 121 pages, small format and large print. Perfect to read on the bus or train, fits in your pocket. Light weight, so it is not so expencive to send my mail. I hope this little pearl will get many readers.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to a fellow bookcrosser at our meetup in Oslo.

Looking forward to reading this highly recommended book!

I liked this book very much! It's an entertaining light read, though well worth your while. I like the way different perspectives of reading are explored.

I will bring this to the next BC meetup in Oslo, since it seems several people still are interested in reading it.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Given to a fellow bookcrosser at our meetup today in Oslo Central Station, la Baguette.

Enjoy :-)

The book is with me.

A lovely novel! Funny and pensive at the same time. One would like to send a RABCK to the Queen!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I will bring the book with me to the BC-meeting tomorrow and hand it over to wildwolverine.

One has finnished reading this little masterpiece, and are overthrown by it's with and pleasant language. One enjoyed it so much that one is inclined to agree with Sota48. One believe this uttermost exquisite novel would suit perfectly in her Royal Majesty the Queen's handbag.

One believe one should try to locate other writings by the very same author.

One can not identify further partisipants of the bookring involved, and one have hereby decided to bring the novel in question to the very next meetup to return to owner. One is very delighted by one's decision.

This exquisite novel has now been left in the competent hands of it's owner at the meet up this very afternoon. Yo, man.

Yes, the book is back with me. I'll be seeing about finding it some more readers. :-) Glad you all enjoyed it!!