The Queen and I by Sue Townsend — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists Shelves: fiction , humour , reviewed This is a solid four-star comic book of that particular kind of dry British humour but more bouncy, because Sue Townsend of the The Adrian Mole Diaries series fame is bouncy. She has also been a noted and outspoken socialist (for Americans: this is a perfectly acceptable and mainstream thing to be in the UK, Europe in general, unlike in the US) and here she carries all that to the extreme. Essentially the book is about what would happen if a Marxist government took over and tossed the Queen and h This is a solid four-star comic book of that particular kind of dry British humour but more bouncy, because Sue Townsend of the The Adrian Mole Diaries series fame is bouncy. She has also been a noted and outspoken socialist (for Americans: this is a perfectly acceptable and mainstream thing to be in the UK, Europe in general, unlike in the US) and here she carries all that to the extreme. Essentially the book is about what would happen if a Marxist government took over and tossed the Queen and her fam out of Buckingham Palace and sent her to a sink estate to live on benefits.

It's quite cleverly worked out and all the royal family stay in the characters we "know" them to be from the media. Then she effing ruins it with an ending so crap that even Jodi Picoult, mistress of the cop-out ending, would be all agasp at such a cheap shot. If you aren't going to read the book, then this is the ending, (view spoiler) [ it's all a dream (hide spoiler) ]. Four stars demoted to three stars for that! ...more Moving Day: 1992: Evicted by a new government, can the Royal family cope with life outside their palaces? Sue Townsend's novel is read in eight parts by Miriam Margolyes - a performance which won her the award for Best Radio Actress of 1992. Hell Close: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former monarch navigate a world with social workers and rowdy neighbours? Affray: Now plain Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen deal with a council estate crisis? And money is sho Moving Day: 1992: Evicted by a new government, can the Royal family cope with life outside their palaces?

Sue Townsend's novel is read in eight parts by Miriam Margolyes - a performance which won her the award for Best Radio Actress of 1992. Hell Close: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former monarch navigate a world with social workers and rowdy neighbours? Affray: Now plain Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen deal with a council estate crisis? And money is short. Shelves: contemporary , 2013-reads , lisa-s-low-octane-alphabet , humour Imagine if the UK became a Republic and the Royal Family were sent to live on a housing estate and told to live like ordinary Britons. How would they cope? How would they adapt? This very scenario is explored in this rather funny little story by Sue Townsend. This was the first book that I have read by this author and it came highly recommended by a friend. On the whole I found it a really enjoyable read. This was a very quick and easy book to read. The story unfolds at a good pace and the humor, Imagine if the UK became a Republic and the Royal Family were sent to live on a housing estate and told to live like ordinary Britons. How would they cope? How would they adapt?

This very scenario is explored in this rather funny little story by Sue Townsend. This was the first book that I have read by this author and it came highly recommended by a friend. On the whole I found it a really enjoyable read. This was a very quick and easy book to read. The story unfolds at a good pace and the humor, which is undeniably British, really kept me wanting to turn the pages in order to see what would happen next and to which unsuspecting member of the Royal Family. The depictions of each member of the Royal Family stay very true to how they are often portrayed in the press and on tv comedy shows and the results are pretty amusing. My two personal favourites were Prince Phillip and Prince Charles (who owing to the year that the book was written is still married to Princess Diana). I can't say that I found this book laugh-out-loud funny all the way through because I didn't but I certainly had a big grin on my face whilst reading it and it did make me chuckle to myself on occasions. The reason why this lost a star from me is because I found the ending to be somewhat weak and disappointing. I had suspected that it may turn out that way but I was really hoping that it wouldn't.

The ending took some of the shine off what had been a really enjoyable read up to that point. If it had ended differently, I may well have given it a 5 star rating. To sum up, this was a really enjoyable book that kept me amused and held my interest throughout. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick, easy read that doesn't take itself too seriously. The humor has a distinct British feel to it but don't let that put you off reading it. I think this is a book that anyone can enjoy, British or not. ...more Shelves: belletristik , humor Eine grandiose Ausgangssituation: Die Republikaner haben die Wahlen gewonnen, die königliche Familie wird von einem auf den anderen Tag abgesetzt, ihrer Titel und Ämter beraubt, deren Vermögen verstaatlicht, und muss nun in vom Staat zur Verfügung gestellten Sozialwohnungen hausen.

Dabei werden sie in das übelste Viertel von London - namens Hellbore (from hell and boring) verfrachtet, wo sie in die indigene Sozialschmarotzerbevölkerung integriert werden sollten - so ala Familie Flodder trifft Wi Eine grandiose Ausgangssituation: Die Republikaner haben die Wahlen gewonnen, die königliche Familie wird von einem auf den anderen Tag abgesetzt, ihrer Titel und Ämter beraubt, deren Vermögen verstaatlicht, und muss nun in vom Staat zur Verfügung gestellten Sozialwohnungen hausen. Dabei werden sie in das übelste Viertel von London - namens Hellbore (from hell and boring) verfrachtet, wo sie in die indigene Sozialschmarotzerbevölkerung integriert werden sollten - so ala Familie Flodder trifft Windsor.

Was durch die Konstruktion der Story wie eine aufgelegte Steilvorlage für Situationskomik, Wortwitz, absurde Integrationsgeschichtln, und britische Ironie zu sein scheint, ist leider nur mäßig witzig. Mir ist schleierhaft, wie man solche Vorteile nicht besser nutzen konnte. Auch wird die königliche Familie einfach viel zu wenig durch den Kakao gezogen, fast schon nett, viel zu schmeichelhaft und integrationswillig werden sie beschrieben. Eigentlich würden sie ja mit ihrem gruseligen Weltbild und ihrem Snobismus viel mehr auf Konfrontationskurs mit einer "normalen" Umgebung abonniert sein und gleichzeitig mit Ihrem grausigen Humor und ihrer Obszönität perfekt in das Floddersche Universum der Sozialhilfeempfänger passen. Soviel habe ich von Heathcote Williams in seinem Buch The Royal Babylon gelernt, der bei weitem nicht so devot mit Königs umgegangen ist und dadurch ein weitaus witzigeres Buch geschrieben hat.

Nichtsdestotrotz sind einige Ideen sehr nett und haben mir leichte, seichte und somit angenehme Unterhaltung beschert, vor allem die politischen Implikationen am Ende des Buches mit dem Ausland sind eine gute Idee. Fazit: Mittelmäßig, ein leicht und schnell zu lesendes Buch für zwischendurch. Jun 07, 2012 Elys rated it really liked it Although this book is not aimed at children, I used extracts from it (with adult language edited out!) for Year 5/6 Literacy lessons during ‘Jubilee Week’. It’s a very entertaining fantasy about a republican government taking office and ordering the Queen to abdicate. The Royal Family are then ‘relocated’ to Hellebore Close (but the missing letters from the street sign leave “Hell Close”), a council estate somewhere up the M1. Elizabeth gets a social worker, Phillip gets clinical depression, Cha Although this book is not aimed at children, I used extracts from it (with adult language edited out!) for Year 5/6 Literacy lessons during ‘Jubilee Week’.

It’s a very entertaining fantasy about a republican government taking office and ordering the Queen to abdicate. The Royal Family are then ‘relocated’ to Hellebore Close (but the missing letters from the street sign leave “Hell Close”), a council estate somewhere up the M1. Elizabeth gets a social worker, Phillip gets clinical depression, Charles grows a ponytail and goes to prison, and Anne starts dating a carpet fitter called Spiggy. I wanted to use this book, partly as an antidote to all the ardently royalist activities that were organised for the week, and also to encourage critical thinking amongst the children about the concept of monarchy and social fairness. We had some very interesting discussions about societal hierarchies as a result of reading this text! In terms of activities, the children diary entries as the Queen, and wrote a continuation of one of the extracts. Many of their efforts were really wonderfully written, and very funny. It was a very successful series of lessons, and good for the children (many of them self-declared republicans) to see an alternative and light-hearted view of monarchy being promoted in school.

Shelves: favorites Velika sam obozavateljica genijalne Sue, u Adriana sam beznadezno zaljubljena pa si gustam kopati po njenim draguljima. Ova knjiga ima sve! Na momente sam se bas odvalila glasno smijati, a to moze samo ona i Pratchettic. Znaci, republikanci dolaze na vlast, kraljevska obitelj mora abdicirati i smjestiti se u opcinske stanove s minimalnom kvadraturom i pokvarenim sustavom grijanja, a i socijalna sluzba im je stalno za vratom. I ne snalaze se niti s peglom, niti s otvaranjem konzervi, neki cak pad Velika sam obozavateljica genijalne Sue, u Adriana sam beznadezno zaljubljena pa si gustam kopati po njenim draguljima. Ova knjiga ima sve!

Na momente sam se bas odvalila glasno smijati, a to moze samo ona i Pratchettic. Znaci, republikanci dolaze na vlast, kraljevska obitelj mora abdicirati i smjestiti se u opcinske stanove s minimalnom kvadraturom i pokvarenim sustavom grijanja, a i socijalna sluzba im je stalno za vratom. I ne snalaze se niti s peglom, niti s otvaranjem konzervi, neki cak padaju u depre i zele umrijeti, neki odlaze u zatvor i sl. Susjedstvo Kukuriku dolca je, kao i kraljevska obitelj iskarikirano na entu, ali pokazuju nevjerojatnu srcanost u tom cudnom suzivotu. Obozavam njezinu britkost, genijalnost, satiru i taj britanski humor. Obozavam.

Preporuka svima koji gustaju u tom tipu humora. Bas je pametan odmor za dusu! I totalno mozes zamislit sve te face :)))) ...more Shelves: reviewed Not sure where to start with this one. The blurb on the back-cover looked quite an interesting premise: A socialist government wins the election and the Royal family are evicted to council housing, and told to get on without any staff or commodities. Apart from Harris, the corgie, all the family members are portrayed the same way as you would expect in the papers or a pretty lame impressions show, which makes the plot quite tepid and disappointing when comparing it to other caricatures such as G Not sure where to start with this one. The blurb on the back-cover looked quite an interesting premise: A socialist government wins the election and the Royal family are evicted to council housing, and told to get on without any staff or commodities. Apart from Harris, the corgie, all the family members are portrayed the same way as you would expect in the papers or a pretty lame impressions show, which makes the plot quite tepid and disappointing when comparing it to other caricatures such as Gin O'Clock.

And, oh yes, the ending - just a tad predictable... ...more Sep 06, 2008 Anne rated it really liked it I know this book was published years ago, but somehow I just never got around to reading it until now. It is 1992, a Republican Government has got into power in Britain and The Queen and her family are ordered out of Buckingham Palace and forced to move onto one of the worst council estates in the Midlands. This is such a funny read and although dated, it is still pretty relevant today - and shows the holes in our society. There is no major plot line and to be honest not a lot does happen in the I know this book was published years ago, but somehow I just never got around to reading it until now. It is 1992, a Republican Government has got into power in Britain and The Queen and her family are ordered out of Buckingham Palace and forced to move onto one of the worst council estates in the Midlands. This is such a funny read and although dated, it is still pretty relevant today - and shows the holes in our society.

There is no major plot line and to be honest not a lot does happen in the book, but the observations of the Royals, the council estate dwellers and how they live together is fabulous. There are some really moving parts, some very funny parts and in places, it really makes you consider our society. Prince Charles is on the run, wearing a shell suit and sporting a pony tail. Princess Anne is riding up and down the council estate on a gypsy horse that she keeps in a bright pink stable, Prince Phillip is totally crackers and William and Harry are fully-fledged hoodies. A really witty, clever and poignant read - ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon. ...more May 03, 2014 Sian rated it really liked it I'd always intended to read more of Sue Townsend's works that weren't Adrian Mole (ah, Adrian) and I'm saddened that it was her death that reminded me of this and prompted me to pick this one up. This is a great satire; bonkers in places and it's best to just go with the flow (the way in which the republican government is elected, fr'instance, is daft) because it is very very funny.

I loved that it was Prince Phillip who just refused to get out of bed while all the others made a go of it, I loved I'd always intended to read more of Sue Townsend's works that weren't Adrian Mole (ah, Adrian) and I'm saddened that it was her death that reminded me of this and prompted me to pick this one up. This is a great satire; bonkers in places and it's best to just go with the flow (the way in which the republican government is elected, fr'instance, is daft) because it is very very funny. I loved that it was Prince Phillip who just refused to get out of bed while all the others made a go of it, I loved the accents ("could I possibly borrow an axe?" "An ix?" "Yes, an axe." "What's an ix?") and I loved the Queen Mums gambling. Parts of it were very sweet as well, there's a real sense of the community there. The ending is a bit mad, mind, but I'm not sure where else she could have gone with it! I'd love to see a modern day version with grown up Wills and Harry, and Kate. But who will write it now?

Oh Sue, we miss you already! ...more Shelves: magical-realism , humor , 2016-reads , the-challenge-2016 If you ever cared to take time to read British royal family gossip - and I think that it didn't matter you liked it or not, you still did, because it was everywhere - this book will be absolutely relevant to you. Plus fun. Imma sucker for royal gossip and all my life, since I was teen, I've been checking magazines for some British "dirt". I know more about Windsors than about some of my actual neighbours. So it's pretty weird that I've read this book just now. The premise is surreal and you can s If you ever cared to take time to read British royal family gossip - and I think that it didn't matter you liked it or not, you still did, because it was everywhere - this book will be absolutely relevant to you. Plus fun. Imma sucker for royal gossip and all my life, since I was teen, I've been checking magazines for some British "dirt". I know more about Windsors than about some of my actual neighbours. So it's pretty weird that I've read this book just now.

The premise is surreal and you can say author took a small revenge on royal family, especially on some if its members (nobody ever likes Philip, eh? you can definitely notice Townsend's likes/dislikes here), but at the same time queen Elizabeth gets some love and respect, which is cute. And I think she deserves that. Cute, fun and light read, with quite unexpected ending. ...more Shelves: british , fiction Tremendous fun! This book posits that the Queen's nightmare comes true - a Republican party swoops to power in Britain, on the back of subliminal TV messages which incite the nation to do away with the monarchy. While the Royal family are not harmed, they are confined to a rundown housing estate with ordinary out of work neighbours and given a barely adequate dole. The Queen is our central character and she is called the Queen all through, though her family are swiftly just Margaret, Anne, Charl Tremendous fun! This book posits that the Queen's nightmare comes true - a Republican party swoops to power in Britain, on the back of subliminal TV messages which incite the nation to do away with the monarchy.

While the Royal family are not harmed, they are confined to a rundown housing estate with ordinary out of work neighbours and given a barely adequate dole. The Queen is our central character and she is called the Queen all through, though her family are swiftly just Margaret, Anne, Charles etc. and Princess Diana features too. Harry and William are, like a corgi, swiftly off behaving like young hooligans with the other hooligans. Anne befriends someone who asks to keep his horse in her garden, while Charles is delighted to do some gardening. Poor Philip becomes extremely depressed and the QM drifts off to a past world of memories. Our heroine the Queen has to learn how to open cans, feed her family and fit into a tiny council house, but we see her persevere and adapt, taking in her stride the full spread of life from births to death. I had previously read Queen Camilla - the later follow-up - and now I'll have to go and read it again. While the books are obvious spoofs, the fun comes from the culture contrast and we get to know and like the new neighbours as much as we already think we know the Royals. The story is splendid with a kind heart and a wry smile.

...more Shelves: fiction , uk-and-ireland A charming what-if, fish-out-of-water story. Anti-monarchists win the election and their first action is to transfer the royal family into low-income housing in a rough neighborhood. The author does a good job of applying characteristics of the real-life individuals to their corresponding characters, so it's entertaining to see how each copes with the drastic change in circumstances. At turns bittersweet and amusing, it's a thought-provoking and insightful yarn. Some have complained about the en A charming what-if, fish-out-of-water story. Anti-monarchists win the election and their first action is to transfer the royal family into low-income housing in a rough neighborhood. The author does a good job of applying characteristics of the real-life individuals to their corresponding characters, so it's entertaining to see how each copes with the drastic change in circumstances. At turns bittersweet and amusing, it's a thought-provoking and insightful yarn. Some have complained about the ending, but I think it works. (And for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how else Ms.

Townsend could have ended it, since the conclusion is entirely congruent with other aspects of the story.) ...more Shelves: english-writer , favorite Великобритания заметно отличается среди остальных пост-империалистических держав. Отличие это в том, что она способна привить любовь к своей истории и культуре не только своим гражданам, но и доброй половине людей земного шара, которые, к их преогромному сожалению, не имеют ничего общего с Англией. Что ж, не стану скрывать, и если это не стало явным еще значительно ранее по моим многочисленным восторженным элегиям в адрес английской литературы, то сейчас я готова признаться всему белому свету, ч Великобритания заметно отличается среди остальных пост-империалистических держав.

Отличие это в том, что она способна привить любовь к своей истории и культуре не только своим гражданам, но и доброй половине людей земного шара, которые, к их преогромному сожалению, не имеют ничего общего с Англией. Что ж, не стану скрывать, и если это не стало явным еще значительно ранее по моим многочисленным восторженным элегиям в адрес английской литературы, то сейчас я готова признаться всему белому свету, что очень люблю все, что связано с Великобританией. Да чего уж там скрывать, давайте будем честны, к чему уж скрывать свое трепетное отношение к этому поистине великому и могучему государству, я давно и надолго стала ярой поклонницей всего английского.

Собственно, именно по этой простой причине я и решила еще когда-то давно, видимо, еще в младые лета, когда и говорить-то толком не умела, связать свою профессиональную жизнь с английской филологией. Последняя, несмотря на многочисленные свои недостатки, как-то теория грамматики и изучение готского языка, а также ряд неприятных воспоминаний, связанных с учебой, не сумела отбить «детское» стремление собрать по кусочкам пазл знаний о туманном Альбионе. Скорее, наоборот, лишь подогрела мой интерес, который не ослабевает и по ныне. Королевская семья стоит практически на втором месте, сразу следуя за английской литературой, чему, словно угольку, суждено было разжечь в душе бесконечную страсть и преданность этой культуре.

Особенную симпатию я почему-то испытываю к Елизавете ІІ, которая, согласно моему скромному мнению, просто не может не вызывать исключительно позитивных эмоций. Именно по этой причине после прочтения романа «Мы с Королевой» мне невыносимо захотелось, как минимум, оказаться книжной героиней, чтобы иметь возможность быть соседкой королевы, дабы делить с ней горести и малые радости, а, по возможности, приложить усилия, чтобы максимально скрасить ее серые будни в кругу простых работяг, живущих на пособие по безработице. Но, думаю, на этой сентиментальной ноте стоит прервать мой поток признаний в безграничной любви, дабы рассказать немного о сюжете самой книги, пока я не успела Вас окончательно уморить своим словесным недержанием.

На страницах своего романа Сью Таусенд повествует альтернативную историю о том, что могло произойти, если бы после выборов в 1992 году к власти пришли республиканцы. Угадайте, что эти «свиньи» додумались сделать первым делом, как только дорвались до кормушки власти? Да, сие безбожники посягнули на самое святое (не зря же из испокон веков в государственном гимне Великобритании имеется строчка «Боже, храни Королеву!») – схватившись за бразды правления, новый премьер министр решил ими же «придушить» британскую монархию, благо хоть не в прямом смысле этого слова!

На следующее же утро после неожиданной для многих победы Джек Баркер заявился в Букингемский дворец, дабы лично оповестить всю королевскую семью, что отныне они лишаются всех былых привилегий и вынуждены жить наравне с бывшими подданными британской короны. Теперь они должны будут испытать вся тягости простого люда – почему-то эту жизнь захотелось сравнить с прозябанием черни в викторианскую эпоху – на собственной шкуре, потому что Елизавете с ее внушительных размеров семейством суждено не просто покинуть дворец, но и жить на пособие в одном из самых убогих районов Лондона, на улице с символическим названием Ад, кое как нельзя лучше описывает все то, через что предстоит пройти королеве и ее потомкам.

В целом, книга оказывается довольно ироничной, несмотря на те моменты, когда я ловила себя на мысли, что хочу скорее закончить чтение, дабы тем самым положить конец страданиям и лишениям Королевы, которая, пожалуй, единственный персонаж, кто изображен в романе исключительно с позитивной стороны. Думаю, писательница преднамеренно дала несколько преувеличено карикатурный портрет остальных членов королевской семьи, чтобы на их фоне еще больше подчеркнуть благовоспитанность и образованность Елизаветы ІІ, которая даже в самых отчаянных ситуациях старается не терять стойкость духа, не забывает о манерах приличия и не поддается «перевоплощению» в быдломассу, с коей ей приходится отныне жить бок о бок, а точнее – стенка в стенку.

Говоря же об остальных героях романа, то, как я уже отмечала ранее, им повезло значительно меньше; видать, у Таусенд явно на них не хватило симпатии – все досталось Ее Величеству Королеве. Так Его Величество, Филипп, предстает перед взорами читателей эдаким сварливым противным старикашкой, который вечно всем недоволен и только то и делает, что без конца брюзжит, доставляя своей супруге уйму хлопот. Диана в романе – это эдакая дурочка, озабоченная лишь нарядами и не в состоянии запомнить даже простейшие поручения.

Практически по ее вине Чарльза упекают в тюрьму, но единственное, что не дает его душе покоя на нарах – это вовсе не покинутая супруга с двумя малолетними детьми или нуждающаяся в поддержке мать, а его рассада помидор, оставшаяся под присмотром Дианы. И, как оказалось, он не зря тревожился – благоверная напрочь позабыла о просьбе присматривать за огородиком, от чего все былые старания Чарльза обратились в прах, а точнее, в засохшую ботву. Кстати, не без интереса было наблюдать, как своеобразно решила изобразить Таусенд то, как обстояли семейные дела этой супружеской пары в реальной жизни: здесь им тоже не удастся избежать адюльтера.

Это лишь в очередной раз дало явно понять, насколько сильно они не подходили друг другу. Сыновья принца и принцессы (уже бывших) быстрее всех и наиболее гармонично проходят процесс обезличивания и деградации, поэтому слиться с народом им удалось практически моментально. Но, помимо просто сатирических портретов того или иного представителя голубых кровей, Сью Таусенд отлично удалось показать все те недостатки, что присущи простым малограмотным людям. Так в образе Бетти она показывает необразованную бабенку, которая и читать-то не умеет, только и знает, что детей рожать. Здесь полно и таких примеров, с помощью которых писательнице удается уличить пороки, коими просто-таки кишат все без исключения слои общества.

Помимо этого, автор отлично проиллюстрировала гнилость системы, дав точное описание идиотизма работы бюрократического аппарата, где человек разбивается в лепешку о замкнуты круг чиновничьей номенклатуры, где чтобы получить пособие по безработице, тебе надо подписать бумагу на работе, которой, по сути, у тебя нет, ведь тебя сократили, но этот абсурд никого не смущает: «Уловка 22» и дальше продолжает буйно процветать в государственных органах. Да-да, оказывается и в Англии подобный недуг возможен! Так что книга содержит в себе не только развлекательный элемент, но и несет морально-этический посыл, затрагивая социальные проблемы.

Если вам интересно, чем же все-таки закончится вся эта эпопея - сумеет ли королева приспособиться к жизни простолюдинки, умрет ли король Филипп голодной смертью, кого будут хоронить в цыганской повозке и прочие небылицы – то я однозначно рекомендую Вам прочесть роман «Мы с Королевой». А я тем временем вынуждена буду перед Вами откланяться и пойду пить чай с молоком, ведь как-никак, 11 утра уж на часах – самое время для третьей чашечки чая. Боже, храни Королеву! Shelves: fic-non-genre I read this a few years ago. It amused me greatly. It's pretty dated at this point, however. It takes place before Diana and Charles divorce and the boys are slightly older than toddlers.

The premise alone is an absurd hoot: a new prime minister had dissolved the monarchy and put the royal family on the dole. They are forced to move into government housing. As the various family members try to cope with this extreme change in status, the individual quirks and eccentricities move to the forefront I read this a few years ago. It amused me greatly. It's pretty dated at this point, however. It takes place before Diana and Charles divorce and the boys are slightly older than toddlers. The premise alone is an absurd hoot: a new prime minister had dissolved the monarchy and put the royal family on the dole. They are forced to move into government housing. As the various family members try to cope with this extreme change in status, the individual quirks and eccentricities move to the forefront. If you've read any of Sue Townsend's "Adrian Mole" novels, you already appreciate her farcical sense of humor. With this novel it really shines. ...more The Queen and I By: Sue Townsend Where do I begin with this one? Delightfully funny and light, this is definitely one to read on cold, winter nights with a glass of wine or hot chocolate or on a hot beach with a cocktail.

Basically, location doesn’t matter as everything dissolves into the background once the first chapter is completed. When it was originally published in 1992 I borrowed a copy from my Mother and devoured it cover to cover. I was only 10 or 11 years old at ti REVIEWED BY JOJO WRITES The Queen and I By: Sue Townsend Where do I begin with this one? Delightfully funny and light, this is definitely one to read on cold, winter nights with a glass of wine or hot chocolate or on a hot beach with a cocktail. Basically, location doesn’t matter as everything dissolves into the background once the first chapter is completed. When it was originally published in 1992 I borrowed a copy from my Mother and devoured it cover to cover. I was only 10 or 11 years old at time, but having read it in subsequent years it has only gotten funnier. The Queen and her brood are evicted and have to live amongst the great un-washed on a council estate in housing that falls far below par.

As they come to terms with their situation, the Royals meet fantastic characters and deal with the predicament in their own ways (not necessarily how you’d first expect). With The Queen in a pensioners bungalow and the Queen Mother having ‘meals on wheels’, it’s a book that keeps you laughing, crying and reeling in despair from beginning to end. “Mr Barker, there is no mention of dogs here,” said the Queen. “One per family,” said Jack. “Horses?” asked Charles. “Would you keep a horse in a council house garden?” “No. Quite. One wasn’t thinking.” “Clothes aren’t on the list,” said Diana, shyly. “You won’t be needing much. Just the bare essentials. You won’t be making personal appearances, will you?” Princess Anne rose and stood next to her father. “Thank God for that! At least something good has come out of this bloody shambles. Are you all right, Pa?” If you enjoyed Sue’s other offerings such as ‘Adrian Mole’, this certainly won’t disappoint. Her easy and engaging style of writing really puts you in the story to empathise with and laugh at the characters.

- JoJo Writes Shelves: xx-fiction A republican Prime Minister has been elected and the English monarchy is abolished! The Royal family is relocated to a social housing complex. The change is nothing but extreme, yet the entire family is able to adapt to the way of life of the social class in which they end up. Between Charles who ends up in jail, the Queen who goes to collect benefits and an underground action group who is on a mission to reinstate monarchy, humourous situations are plenty. But be aware that, as usual in a book by A republican Prime Minister has been elected and the English monarchy is abolished ! The Royal family is relocated to a social housing complex. The change is nothing but extreme, yet the entire family is able to adapt to the way of life of the social class in which they end up. Between Charles who ends up in jail, the Queen who goes to collect benefits and an underground action group who is on a mission to reinstate monarchy, humourous situations are plenty. But be aware that, as usual in a book by Townsend, it actually is social criticism, painfully accurate, of the working, suburban class.

^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^ Après l'élection d'un premier ministre républicain, la monarchie anglaise se voit abolie, et la famille royale est envoyée vivre dans un complexe de logements sociaux. Le changement est extrême, mais la famille entière parvient à s'adapter autant que faire se peut aux us et coutumes de la classe sociale dans laquelle ils se retrouvent. Entre Charles qui se retrouve en taule, la reine qui va pointer à la caisse d'allocation familiale, et un groupuscule qui cherche à réinstaurer la monarchie, les traits d'humour fusent. Mais attention, comme d'habitude chez Townsend, il s'agit en fait d'une critique sociale très bien observée de la classe sociale ouvrière, provinciale et banlieusarde. ...more From BBC Radio 4 Extra: 1992: Evicted by a new government, can the Royal family cope with life outside their palaces?

Sue Townsend's novel is read in eight parts by Miriam Margolyes - a performance which won her the award for Best Radio Actress of 1992. 2/8: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former monarch navigate a world with social workers and rowdy neighbours? 3/8: Now plain Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen deal with a council estate crisis? And money is short. 4/8: She used to be the Queen, but can From BBC Radio 4 Extra: 1992: Evicted by a new government, can the Royal family cope with life outside their palaces? Sue Townsend's novel is read in eight parts by Miriam Margolyes - a performance which won her the award for Best Radio Actress of 1992. 2/8: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former monarch navigate a world with social workers and rowdy neighbours? 3/8: Now plain Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen deal with a council estate crisis? And money is short. 4/8: She used to be the Queen, but can Mrs Windsor find enough cash to feed her husband and corgi?

5/8: Evicted as Queen, can Mrs Windsor cope with a depressed husband and her wayward corgi? 6/8: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen support her son Charles as his trial for affray begins? 7/8: Now just Mrs Windsor, the former Queen must cope with personal loss and a son now in prison. 8/8: Now just Mrs Windsor, can the former Queen deal with nightmarish new development? Who can she trust? Abridged by Elizabeth Proud Shelves: reviewed-2016 , book-club I’ve never read any of Ms Townsend’s books before, but I’ve heard only good things. I heard they’re hilariously delightful. I was recommended this book by one of our book club members, and since I’ve always wanted to read a book written by Sue Townsend, I jumped at the opportunity to read The Queen and I. From the back cover it sounded like an incredible read. In short, The Queen and I was a good read. Not as good as I hoped it would be – I expected to laugh a lot more – but I still had fun readi I’ve never read any of Ms Townsend’s books before, but I’ve heard only good things.

I heard they’re hilariously delightful. I was recommended this book by one of our book club members, and since I’ve always wanted to read a book written by Sue Townsend, I jumped at the opportunity to read The Queen and I. From the back cover it sounded like an incredible read. In short, The Queen and I was a good read. Not as good as I hoped it would be – I expected to laugh a lot more – but I still had fun reading it. The plot is amazingly inventive and I think Ms Townsend did the story magnificently; especially with many endearing side characters. Though it took quite some time to really get into the story, and despite the blunt ending, I’ll recommend it to those who enjoy following the ups and downs (are there really any downs?) of the British royal family. Shelves: favorites Britain has established a new Republican government and the various members of the royal family have been evicted from their palaces and relegated to council (slum) housing. Queen Elizabeth and her mum are doing quite nicely in their new circumstances, actually, stiff upper lip and all that. Diana is shopping for trendy cast-offs at the local Oxfam and Anne is revelling in new-found romance.

Charles calls himself "Charlie Teck" (maiden name of Great-Grandmother Queen Mary) and has allowed his in Britain has established a new Republican government and the various members of the royal family have been evicted from their palaces and relegated to council (slum) housing. Queen Elizabeth and her mum are doing quite nicely in their new circumstances, actually, stiff upper lip and all that. Diana is shopping for trendy cast-offs at the local Oxfam and Anne is revelling in new-found romance. Charles calls himself "Charlie Teck" (maiden name of Great-Grandmother Queen Mary) and has allowed his infatuation with a buxom next-door blonde to embroil him in a tawdry alley brawl. The Queen's corgis are running with a rough crowd. Prince Philip refuses to get out of bed. Can the Windsors learn to cope with life on the dole, cook their own meals, and find change for the bus? A side-splittingly hilarious fantasy!

...more Aug 17, 2016 Jantine Kampes rated it really liked it · review of another edition I admit that this book wasn't as awesomest great as I remember it from more than 10 years ago, but it is awesome in a whole new, creepy way. It shows what votes can do to a country like GB, it shows the kind of people who might vote against their own interest. In this case it was the queen who had to live in a social housing-estate, and in the end the whole country sold to Japan, which is so far that I hope it'll not happen as such after the Brexit. On the other hand people wouldn't actually be I admit that this book wasn't as awesomest great as I remember it from more than 10 years ago, but it is awesome in a whole new, creepy way. It shows what votes can do to a country like GB, it shows the kind of people who might vote against their own interest. In this case it was the queen who had to live in a social housing-estate, and in the end the whole country sold to Japan, which is so far that I hope it'll not happen as such after the Brexit.

On the other hand people wouldn't actually be surprised anymore, and that's some other thing this story showed. People 'up there' who don't actually care, because the poor in their own country are so far away, and people 'down there' who don't care about the politics that do not explicitely concern them, because it's so far away. ...more Sep 23, 2012 Scilla rated it liked it · review of another edition A new republican government is voted in England, and the new Prime Minister, Jack Barker has decreed that there is no more monarchy. The royal family are told they have 2 hours to pack a few necessities before they are moved to Hell Close to pensioner bungalows, and Buckingham Palace becomes a fancy hotel, and They can hear their next door neighbors very clearly, and make friends. The dog goes with the pack, the Queen learns to cook, shop, etc, and their pensions are late coming so they make do A new republican government is voted in England, and the new Prime Minister, Jack Barker has decreed that there is no more monarchy.

The royal family are told they have 2 hours to pack a few necessities before they are moved to Hell Close to pensioner bungalows, and Buckingham Palace becomes a fancy hotel, and They can hear their next door neighbors very clearly, and make friends. The dog goes with the pack, the Queen learns to cook, shop, etc, and their pensions are late coming so they make do with very little money. Charles and Diana are still together and the Queen Mother is still alive. It is very funny seeing how the author has each member of the royal family react to the new circumstances. ...more Apr 17, 2012 Valerie rated it liked it Republicans win the election, and the Royal family is forced to step down and live amongst the commoners! I did enjoy this book. Sue Townsend has a way of bringing characters to life that engages the reader and makes you want to know what happens to them. That said, I started to have a horrible foreboding about halfway though regarding the ending. And yes, I was right. I felt that it was a total let-down, a horrible cliche, and almost made reading the book a waste of time.

I am glad I read it beca Republicans win the election, and the Royal family is forced to step down and live amongst the commoners! I did enjoy this book. Sue Townsend has a way of bringing characters to life that engages the reader and makes you want to know what happens to them. That said, I started to have a horrible foreboding about halfway though regarding the ending. And yes, I was right. I felt that it was a total let-down, a horrible cliche, and almost made reading the book a waste of time. I am glad I read it because I enjoyed the characters and thinking about the 'what-if' of being forced into such alien and inhospitable circumstances. ...more Jul 15, 2015 Lorraine Sears rated it it was amazing · review of another edition A laugh out loud book about what could have happened if the monarchy was disbanded. Slightly dated now, but no less funny for those who remember the royal family of the 80s. Imagine what you would do if Liz and Phil moved onto your street. As HRH gets about as common as a commoner can, can you guess which members of her family would flourish and which would flounder.

This book is a reminder of the brilliance of Sue Townsend's comedy writing; the queen of British fictional comedy writes about the A laugh out loud book about what could have happened if the monarchy was disbanded. Slightly dated now, but no less funny for those who remember the royal family of the 80s. Imagine what you would do if Liz and Phil moved onto your street. As HRH gets about as common as a commoner can, can you guess which members of her family would flourish and which would flounder. This book is a reminder of the brilliance of Sue Townsend's comedy writing; the queen of British fictional comedy writes about the queen of the Commonwealth. Hilarious!

Question: What is the name of the fictional road on the council estate to which the Queen and her family have to move in the 1992 novel ‘The Queen and I’ by Sue Townsend?
Answer: Hellebore Close