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.The Uncommon Reader

by: Alan Bennett

July 03, 2008
Fortunately, Alan Bennett has already declined a knighthood - meeting England's sword wielding Queen after publishing The Uncommon Reader might be a little, shall we say, 'ambiguous'.

But then again, Alan Bennett has a charm and humour which might, if the present monarch does actually read, disarm even the most, "We are not amused!"

The story is simple; England's Queen suddenly develops a passion for reading which humanises her. It does not, however, result in any final satisfaction and at the end of the book we are left with a twist that seems to be setting Mrs Windsor off on a whole new adventure.

In such stark outline it is a piece of amusing trivia ... and I've read several reviews which don't seem ... Read More:
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Used Price: £2.50

Average Rating:

.The Uncommon Reader

by: Alan Bennett

September 06, 2007
Fortunately, Alan Bennett has already declined a knighthood - meeting England's sword wielding Queen after publishing The Uncommon Reader might be a little, shall we say, 'ambiguous'.

But then again, Alan Bennett has a charm and humour which might, if the present monarch does actually read, disarm even the most, "We are not amused!"

The story is simple; England's Queen suddenly develops a passion for reading which humanises her. It does not, however, result in any final satisfaction and at the end of the book we are left with a twist that seems to be setting Mrs Windsor off on a whole new adventure.

In such stark outline it is a piece of amusing trivia ... and I've read several reviews which don't seem to have ... Read More:
>>See More Reviews & Details on The Uncommon Reader

Used Price: £3.45

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.The History Boys

by: Alan Bennett

June 17, 2004
The play blends comedy with tragedy and has many layers and themes. Whilst the story is ostensibly about education and, in particular, the teaching of talented pupils on the cusp of adulthood it is also a subtle study of the human and personal relationships between teacher and pupil, pupil and pupil and teacher and teacher. Hector, the confident but eccentric, eclectic and iconoclastic history teacher is contrasted with Irwin, a generation younger than him, who is clever, confused and insecure. The boys have warmed to Hector's maverick style and methods which includes role playing and a very broad cultural range - from Gracie Fields to Housman. They tolerate Hector's fondness for fondling their genitalia when on his motor bike with equanimity clearly seeing ... Read More:
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Used Price: £1.67

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.Talking Heads: No. 1 (BBC Radio Collection)

from: BBC Audiobooks Ltd

October 01, 1999
I am a fan of talking books, and I would describe many of the ones that I have heard as good, entertaining, thought provoking even. But this collection of stories stands so far above everything else that I have listened to that I can't see them ever being eclipsed. They are that very rare thing in literature - something that is brilliant, complex, moving - but absolutely not worthy, or 'difficult'. How many of us have struggled through a Booker prize winner because we 'ought to', when really it was too much like hard work? These stories are just so entertaining. You very quickly forget that they are monologues because the scenes and other characters are so real that you can see and hear them as if you were watching a full-cast production. You will be able to come ... Read More:
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Used Price: £7.00

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.Talking Heads

by: Alan Bennett

July 05, 2007
I am a fan of talking books, and I would describe many of the ones that I have heard as good, entertaining, thought provoking even. But this collection of stories stands so far above everything else that I have listened to that I can't see them ever being eclipsed. They are that very rare thing in literature - something that is brilliant, complex, moving - but absolutely not worthy, or 'difficult'. How many of us have struggled through a Booker prize winner because we 'ought to', when really it was too much like hard work? These stories are just so entertaining. You very quickly forget that they are monologues because the scenes and other characters are so real that you can see and hear them as if you were watching a full-cast production. You will be able to come ... Read More:
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Used Price: £4.69

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.Alan Bennett, Triple Bill

by: Alan Bennett

April 02, 2007
3 of Alan Bennett`s short plays including 2 of his favourite leading ladies , Dame Thora and Patricia Routledge. I had read the first two before , the third , a dialogue between himself and Dame Judi Dench was a stranger to me . This collection is classic Bennett at it`s very best -- a joy to listen to . Hopefully more of his early works will find their way onto disc soon.
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Used Price: £7.43

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.Winnie-the-Pooh (BBC Radio Collection)

by: A.A. Milne

August 05, 2002
3 of Alan Bennett`s short plays including 2 of his favourite leading ladies , Dame Thora and Patricia Routledge. I had read the first two before , the third , a dialogue between himself and Dame Judi Dench was a stranger to me . This collection is classic Bennett at it`s very best -- a joy to listen to . Hopefully more of his early works will find their way onto disc soon.
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Used Price: £4.50

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.The Lady in the Van

by: Alan Bennett

March 18, 1999
Very amusing little book coupled with Bennett's talent for pathos and humour. The story is so well expressed you can almost smell the stench of the tramp occupied van. Excellent read. Recommended.


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.The Uncommon Reader (BBC Audio)

by: Alan Bennett

September 10, 2007
I read this and enjoyed it so much I bought the CD version for my father who also loved it. It's not his normal choice of listening (more of a crime/mystery man) but he found it very amusing. It made me smile; Bennett captures the Queen's personality perfectly. He doesn't mock but has a gentle dig at our preposterous monarchy.
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.Untold Stories

by: Alan Bennett

September 07, 2006
It may seem a minor point but no reputable publisher should be allowed to get away with print this small - it's about half the size of 'Writing Home' and severely marred my reading pleasure. Given the likely average age of the readership for a book like this you'd think Bennett in particular would insist on something big enough for his Gran to read. Why do they do it? Profit? Laziness? It certainly shows contempt for the reading public, but then I forget, this is Faber & Faber so that is to be expected. 'Bit small, eh? Well, screw up your eyes and be grateful - it's high art is that'.
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