Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #198 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-06
• Binding: Hardcover
• 124 pages

Robert McCrum, Observer
`...a masterpiece of comic brevity.'

Jane Shilling, Times
`An exquisitely produced jewel of a book...[but] beneath the tasteful gilt-and-beige cover seethes a savagely Swiftian indignation against stupidity, Philistinism and arrogance in public places, and a passionate argument for the civilising power of art.'

Robert McCrum, Observer
'A masterpiece of comic brevity.'

Customer Reviews

Book about books
This is a great addition to my book about books collection. I found it charming, funny, biting, and witty. Reading about the queen withdrawing into the life of a reclusive bibliophile is too funny for words and the unexpected ending made me chuckle out loud.

Fairy tale celebrating the joys of reading
Following one of her dogs, the Queen takes an unfamiliar turn and bumps into the Westminster mobile library. Its only other patron at the time is a young kitchen boy. Out of politeness she takes out a book. But as all bookworms know: one book can lead to another and in no time the Queen is hooked. Going nowhere without a book, she becomes distracted in her duties. She starts attempting to have literary conversations with other heads of state, including the prime minister. Young Norman is promoted from the kitchen in order to be close at hand to dicuss, recommend and procure books. All this leads to consternation amongst her staff who start conspiring to undermine her reading.

What a lovely "tongue in the cheek" celebration of books and writing! A pure delight up until the very last page with its surprise ending.

A delicious little gem
HM the Queen stumbles upon a mobile library in the Palace grounds while in pursuit of her wayward corgis. She feels obliged to investigate; apart from the librarian its only occupant is Norman, a ginger haired young lad who it appears works in the Palace kitchens. HM leaves the mobile library not only with a new interest about to blossom, but also having met her unlikely ally in her new hobby. For Norman is soon promoted from the kitchens to find himself advising HM on her reading matter, that he has a predilection for gay authors simply adds to entertainment.

The Queen's new interest causes consternation in both Palace and Government circles, and unsurprisingly Norman is not particularly popular either. Of course the real delight of this little book is the premise that HM should be so distracted by something as seemingly ordinary which we, the reader, take such pleasure in. That she should be aided and abetted by a gawky teenager makes it particularly delicious. Her reaction to the various authors she stumbles upon, and the innocence and broadmindedness with which HM pursues her new found distraction makes her all the more endearing.

This is an absolute gem of a book, full to the brim with wit and humour; perhaps a certain waiting Prince might get some ideas.