The Uncommon Reader

The entire narrative of the novella relies on the presence of books—first, as the Queen’s entry point into reading, and then as the catalyst for her personal change as she becomes less interested in royal duty and more interested in the world around her. When the Queen first becomes invested in reading, she finds that “one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned” (21). This comparison between books and doors is furthered in other descriptions of books later in the novella. For example, Sir Kevin challenges the Queen on her increased reading, and she explains emphatically that “books are not about passing the time. They’re about other lives. Other worlds” (29). Again, to the Queen, books are about opening one’s mind and seeing wider perspectives.

Since books are mentioned so frequently as a way of expanding one’s mind, it can be inferred that Bennett also intends his text, a satire, as a way of helping a reader understand “other worlds.” As the narrator notes in one passage, “books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not. All readers were equal” (30). As a book itself, The Uncommon Reader is self-referential in its analysis that the messages contained within its pages can be understood by anyone; while this particular text focuses on the Queen of England, the underlying themes are available to a wider audience.