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jrmarr's review
4.0
A lovely book that really celebrates reading and books, and makes the point that the act of reading is not an idle one, but can be an active process of gaining a deeper understanding of the world and those who inhabit it. I particularly loved the passages discussing the increase in empathy after she began reading so voraciously. A lovely quick read.
caroline2499's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
anna_hepworth's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This quite short novel was an entertaining way to spend a slightly extended lunch break. A character study from a time that never was, postulating a monarch that is decidedly implausible, but an interesting though experiment all the same.
There was the odd pot-shot at politicians that I might have recognised at the time that it was written, but have no clue on today (Other than Margaret Thatcher).
Light-hearted, irreverent, easy to read.
There was the odd pot-shot at politicians that I might have recognised at the time that it was written, but have no clue on today (Other than Margaret Thatcher).
Light-hearted, irreverent, easy to read.
jennshappyplace's review against another edition
2.5
At first I liked this but eventually it didn’t keep my interest. I think I started to not understand things and it just didn’t feel like a book meant for me. Luckily it was a fast listen.
kahkmyers's review
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I thought the writing of this book was very unique. I liked the reflections of the queen and how impactful reading can be. I felt the writing was a bit high-brow at
Times and sometimes a bit hard to follow. The time period was also a bit of a mystery. It seemed like Victorian era and then all of a sudden they were discussing eBay, and I think that was the authors way of bringing the issues of the novella into present day, which I did like. I just felt the story was a little mundane but still enjoyable.
Times and sometimes a bit hard to follow. The time period was also a bit of a mystery. It seemed like Victorian era and then all of a sudden they were discussing eBay, and I think that was the authors way of bringing the issues of the novella into present day, which I did like. I just felt the story was a little mundane but still enjoyable.
sandiet's review
4.0
A very entertaining novella, read by the author. Imagine the Queen visiting a bookmobile that she doesn't realize stops by the palace every week. Now imagine her taking time out to read because she's discovered that it's rather enjoyable...yes it's funny and engaging. People around her are very put out that she's taken up this hobby but even the Queen has developed a love of reading and tries to come up with excuses not to attend functions so that she can READ. A nice 2 hours of listening.
edoardosampoli's review against another edition
4.0
E se la regina Elisabetta iniziasse a leggere, trascurando i suoi doveri da monarca cosa succederebbe?