Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The Uncommon Reader


Our book today is a little delight we here at Stevereads never dared to hope we'd encounter: "The Uncommon Reader," a novella by Alan Bennett, the English national treasure and author of "The History Boys." The thing appeared in virtually unaltered form in the London Review of Books some months ago, and although we here at Stevereads saved it and photocopied it and assiduously handed it around, we thought we'd be dealing with clumsy xeroxes forever. But lo, here it is, bound as a neat little booklet of its own.

The story is classic Bennett in its beguiling simplicity of plot: owing to the mischief of her dogs, the Queen discovers one day that the palace is regularly visited by a 'travelling library' of a type that was once popular in rural America. Her Majesty feels a little awkward and so borrows a book. And what follows is a sweet, wondrous little story: the Queen gradually comes to love reading.

At first she must snatch time in between her official duties, but bit by bit, she works more and more reading into her days in exactly the same wayall book-people do. In this endeavor she's aided by Norman, the smart young man she met at the travelling library and who, for the first part of the book, acts as her text-procurer and overall amanuensis. Bennett handles their relationship with his customary pitch-perfect ear for dialogue, as in the wry passage in which the Queen assesses her strengths in the least likely of venues:

"'Do you know,' she said one afternoon as they were reading in her study, 'do you know the area in which one would truly excel?'
'No, ma'am?'
'The pub quiz. One has been everywhere, seen everything, and though one might have difficulty with pop music and some sport, when it comes to the capital of Zimbabwe, say, or the principal exports of New South Wales, I have all that at my fingertips.'
'And I could do the pop,' said Norman.
'Yes,' said the Queen. 'We would make a good team. Ah well. The road not travelled.'"

Anybody who's read Bennett's always-engrossing diaries knows him to be a diehard reader himself, and in "The Uncommon Reader" he distills some of his thoughts about the process of reading itself. In doing this, he has the perfect foil in the person of Her Majesty:

"The appeal of reading, she thought, lay in its indifference: there was something undeferring about literature. Books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal, herself included. Literature, she thought, was a commonwealth; letters a republic. Actually she had heard this phrase, the republic of letters, used before, at graduation ceremonies, honorary degrees and the like, though without knowing what it meant. At that time talk of a republic of any sort she had thought mildly insulting and in her actual presence tactless to say the least. It was only now she understood what it meant. Books did not defer."

The Queen's newfound love of reading creates consternation in those around her, who are unused to any changes in the living institution she represents. And the most flustered by the change? Why, the dogs of course, little tyrants that they are:

"Indulged and bad tempered though they were, the dogs were not unintelligent, so it was not surprising that in a short space of time they came to hate books as the spoilsports they were (and always have been).
Did Her Majesty ever let a book fall to the carpet it would straightaway be leaped on by any attendant dog, worried and slavered over and borne to the distant reaches of the palace or wherever so that it could be satisfyingly torn apart. The James Tait Black Memorial prize notwithstanding, Ian McEwan had ended up like this and even A.S. Byatt. Patron of the London Library though she was, Her Majesty regularly found herself on the phone apologizing to the renewals clerk for the loss of yet another volume."

Bennett is also shrewd in assessing what kind of a reader the Queen would be - that, for instance, she would have a hard time empathizing with the minute social distinctions that abound in Jane Austen. Broader subjects too get examined in this wonderfully insightful way:

"Feminism, too, got short shrift, at least to begin with and for the same reason, the separations of gender like the differences of class as nothing compared with the gulf that separated the Queen from the rest of humanity."

Bennett doesn't forget his dramatist's duties - even in a hundred pages, he manages to serve up for the reader lots more humor, palace intrigue, a happy ending, and a surprise twist at the end that will have the reader clapping. We here at Stevereads encounter entirely unsuccessful novels that ramble on to five or six hundred pages - this little book should stand as quietly eloquent proof of what a sure craftsman can do with a lot less space.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

OMG! I absolutely loved this story when Steve recommended it to me (really he ordered me to run right out and buy the London Review of Books that it was in), I loved Bennett's insights into what makes a reader. It was so true.

Now I've got to run right out and buy this book. My mom has to read this. She's a recent convert to the world of reading herself. I think she'll love it as much as I did.

Anonymous said...

The bit about the dogs being jealous especially hit me. My 457 dogs hate that I read. They'll do anything to distract me. One licks the book covers. One climbs over the upright book and sits on it. Of course they chew any wayward tome they find. A couple of unlucky books have been peed upon by an evil mutt. Only the Queen and I understand.

I bet Kevin doesn't have that problem with his cat.

steve said...

Kevin has a CAT?

My finger is now hovering over the 'panish' button ...

Kevin said...

Kevin has two cats.

It's true - cats (overall) don't get jealous of books. Quite the contrary - they are excited by the sight of them; books mean a lap will be created that is sure to stay put for a good solid while. One can also rub one's chin or cheek on a corner, should the reader be to pre-occupied with turning pages to pet.

That said, the cats will often force their way between your eyes and the book, by skooching underneath and rising up, thereby returning to their rightful place at the center of attention (as if to say, "less read, more pet").

Anonymous said...

Another day with no new Stevereads post.

I'm thinking of starting my own blog about what I'm reading. Would any of you join me? Because what makes Stevereads so much fun for me, in addition to Steve's marvelous posts, is the comments from you guys.

I'm not as funny as Steve, as Steve would be the first to point out, but what I'm envisioning is me posting about some book I'm reading and then you guys commenting about what you're reading. Kind of a group thing. Does anyone have any interest in it or comments about the idea?

Kevin said...

I'm there.

Go for it!

Anonymous said...

Well, that's two of us. Plus Steve, of course. If he doesn't read my blog, I shall be forced to tell everyone he knows about the time we played shipwrecked pirate and manatee maiden and the real reason he calls me "beepy." Oh, he'll read it.

That said, what about the rest of you?

Anonymous said...

Well, that's two of us. Plus Steve, of course. If he doesn't read my blog, I shall be forced to tell everyone he knows about the time we played shipwrecked pirate and manatee maiden and the real reason he calls me "beepy." Oh, he'll read it.

That said, what about the rest of you?

Anonymous said...

Hey, I only said that once.

Anonymous said...

Go to, Beepy, go to!

Anonymous said...

Beepy, you should demand Steve's password to this site and guest-blog when he feels we are unworthy of new reviews.

Imani said...

(I'd love to read your blog, Beepy!)

Aha, so this is the darn story that took up half of a LRB issue, to my displeasure. I suppose you've convinced me that it actually could be worth my time. :p And he's been mostly absent from the LRB for so many issues I'm inclined to be merciful about his previous over-exposure.

Anonymous said...

have you ever thrown a football you pansy? get a life and get a job. you remind me of a footman in an elizabethian novel, hovering and spectulating and never doing anything but yourself. time to change the master's chamberpot! hurry along like a good little dolt.

Anonymous said...

[u][b]Xrumer[/b][/u]

[b]Xrumer SEO Professionals

As Xrumer experts, we from been using [url=http://www.xrumer-seo.com]Xrumer[/url] quest of a sustained time things being what they are and grasp how to harness the colossal power of Xrumer and build it into a Cash machine.

We also provender the cheapest prices on the market. Assorted competitors see fit expect 2x or consistent 3x and a lot of the continuously 5x what we charge you. But we maintain in providing great accommodation at a low affordable rate. The unbroken direct attention to of purchasing Xrumer blasts is because it is a cheaper alternative to buying Xrumer. So we aim to support that contemplating in mind and yield you with the cheapest grade possible.

Not just do we be suffering with the greatest prices but our turnaround time payment your Xrumer posting is wonderful fast. We compel take your posting done to come you know it.

We also outfit you with a full log of affluent posts on contrary forums. So that you can catch a glimpse of over the extent of yourself the power of Xrumer and how we hold harnessed it to benefit your site.[/b]


[b]Search Engine Optimization

Using Xrumer you can think to realize thousands upon thousands of backlinks exchange for your site. Tons of the forums that your Location you intent be posted on have acute PageRank. Having your link on these sites can categorically mitigate build up some cover dignity endorse links and as a matter of fact riding-boot your Alexa Rating and Google PageRank rating utterly the roof.

This is making your put more and more popular. And with this developing in popularity as familiarly as PageRank you can envisage to lead your place in effect rank expensive in those Search Engine Results.
Traffic

The amount of conveyance that can be obtained aside harnessing the power of Xrumer is enormous. You are publishing your site to tens of thousands of forums. With our higher packages you may still be publishing your position to HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of forums. Visualize 1 brief on a stylish forum will inveterately cotton on to a leave 1000 or so views, with signify 100 of those people visiting your site. Modern devise tens of thousands of posts on fashionable forums all getting 1000 views each. Your shipping ordain go through the roof.

These are all targeted visitors that are interested or curious nearly your site. Assume how assorted sales or leads you can fulfil with this considerable gang of targeted visitors. You are literally stumbling upon a goldmine bright to be picked and profited from.

Reminisce over, Transport is Money.
[/b]

BECOME ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT YOUR CHEAPLY BURST TODAY:


http://www.xrumer-seo.com

Anonymous said...

Someone deleted several links from storewith and 2shared servers.

From now, we will use www.tinyurlalternative.com as our default [url=http://www.tinyurlalternative.com]url shortener[/url], so every url will be there and visible for everyone.

You can choose from many great [url=http://kfc.ms]short url[/url] names like:

kfc.ms easysharelink.info jumpme.info megauploadlink.info megavideolink.info mygamelink.info myrapidsharelink.info mytorrentlink.info myurlshortener.com mywarezlink.info urlredirect.info urlshrinker.info weblinkshortener.com youtubelink.info and many others.

They maintain above 60 different ready domains and the [url=http://myurlshortener.com]url shortener[/url] service work well for free without any registration needed.

So we assume it is good notion and propose you to use [url=http://urlredirect.info]url redirect[/url] service too!

Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Making money on the internet is easy in the undercover world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat seo forums[/URL], It's not a big surprise if you have no clue about blackhat marketing. Blackhat marketing uses alternative or not-so-known methods to produce an income online.

Anonymous said...

Making money on the internet is easy in the undercover world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]blackhat twitter[/URL], It's not a big surprise if you have no clue about blackhat marketing. Blackhat marketing uses little-known or little-understood ways to generate an income online.

Anonymous said...

Hello,

I mostly visits this website[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url]stevereads.blogspot.com is filled with quality info. Let me tell you one thing guys, some time we really forget to pay attention towards our health. Let me show you one truth. Recent Scientific Research presents that nearly 80% of all U.S. grownups are either chubby or weighty[url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips].[/url] Therefore if you're one of these individuals, you're not alone. Its true that we all can't be like Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, and have sexy and perfect six pack abs. Now next question is how you can achive quick weight loss? [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss[/url] is not like piece of cake. You need to improve some of you daily habbits to achive weight loss in short span of time.

About me: I am webmaster of [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/lose-10-pounds-in-2-weeks-quick-weight-loss-tips]Quick weight loss tips[/url]. I am also health expert who can help you lose weight quickly. If you do not want to go under painful training program than you may also try [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/acai-berry-for-quick-weight-loss]Acai Berry[/url] or [url=http://www.weightrapidloss.com/colon-cleanse-for-weight-loss]Colon Cleansing[/url] for effective weight loss.

Anonymous said...

http://www.pornvideoonline.info/

http://www.pornvideodownload.info

http://www.pornvideotorrent.info/

http://www.gaypornonline.info

www.teenpornonline.info

www.freepornvideosonline.info

http://www.bestpornvideo.info/

[url=http://www.pornvideoonline.info]Porn video online[/url]
[url=http://www.pornvideodownload.info]Porn video download[/url]
[url=http://www.pornvideotorrent.info]Porn video torrent[/url]
[url=http://www.gaypornonline.info]Gay porn online[/url]
[url=http://www.teenpornonline.info]Teen porn online[/url]
[url=http://www.freepornvideosonline.info]Free porn videos online[/url]
[url=http://www.bestpornvideo.info]Best porn video[/url]

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Lose Sluggish Downloads Use NZB Downloads You Can Rapidly Search HD Movies, Console Games, MP3 Singles, Applications & Download Them at Blazing Rates

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Newsgroup[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

work at home www.333eur.com

Anonymous said...

url for [b]download software for windows[/b] are available at:

download software for windows
[url=http://www.downloadsoftwareforwindows]download software for windows[/url]

[url=http://www.downloadsoftwareforwindows/products/download-apple-tv-video-converter/productpage.php]download apple tv video converter[/url]

download video converter

Anonymous said...

resource to [b]buy software for windows[/b] are available here:

buy software for windows
[url=http://www.buysoftwareforwindows.com]buy software for windows[/url]

[url=http://www.buysoftwareforwindows.com/products/buy-dvd-to-psp-converter/productpage.php]buy dvd to psp converter[/url]

buy dvd to mp3 converter

Anonymous said...

Holiness casinos? untenanted to more than this grassy [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] recommend and striving online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also on our neat [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] opt for at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and win tangible to energy means !
another curious [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] imperil is www.ttittancasino.com , during german gamblers, separatrix up manumitted [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]online casino[/url] bonus. so check this leading [url=http://www.omniget.co.il]online casino[/url] for free [url=http://www.casinosaction.com]casino bonus[/url] and 100's of online [url=http://www.thecasino.co.il]casino[/url] games.

Anonymous said...

I am Glad i ran across this website.Added stevereads.blogspot.com to my bookmark!

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]free casino[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]realcazinoz[/url] autonomous no store reward at the chief [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]loosen casino
[/url].

Anonymous said...

Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://www.onlinecraps.gd]blackjack[/url] risk on 888 casino transport: Facebook is expanding its efforts to put real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a deal with the online gambling company 888 Holdings.And Bye.