What would happen if the Queen of England suddenly became obsessed with reading books? Alan Bennett provides his witty answer in this tiny but hugely endearing book.

He has obviously observed the Queen closely, and this book seemed in some ways an affectionate tribute to 'Her Majesty'.

One day a library van turns up outside the Palace kitchens where the Queen, while walking the corgis, comes across it. Inside is a boy from the kitchen and the librarian. The boy, who has been put to work in the kitchen because he is too plain to be on show as a page, is not particularly in awe of the queen, and soon they are discussing books. Eventually he becomes her amanuensis, and they begin to explore the world of books together. After that things go hilariously to pot.

Bennett manages to catch the Queen's voice very convincingly. Like everyone else in this country I have grown up hearing 'Her Majesty' speak so we all know that she is wont to say 'one' when she means 'I', and, like Bennett, suspect that she has a dry, superior, sense of humour. In this book she also finds herself manipulated by the people who are supposed to be helping her, and we hear her 'real views' on people like the Prime Minister - which again are just like I suspected all along.

Open any page at random and there is an example of Bennett's humour. Here the librarian asks her about a book she has borrowed written by Ivy Compton-Burnett (who the queen remembers because she made her a dame).

"...How far did You Majesty get?"

"Oh to the end. Once I start a book I finish it. That was the way one was brought up. Books, bread and butter, mashed potato - one finishes what's on one's plate. That's always been my philosophy..."

Apart from the humour there are deeper messages too, and the queen not only becomes changed and improved by her reading, but also begins to take more control of her life too.

In some ways the book is a little like a very pleasant journey - too short and in consequence the destination is a little disappointing - but I loved every word along the way.