ALL FAIRFAX READS - The Uncommon Reader - September. 2008

All Fairfax Reads celebrated, and concluded, its fifth successful season in September. The program began in 2004, when county residents were encouraged to read Harper Lee’s forceful novel To Kill a Mockingbird. With the choice of Hosseini’s bestseller The Kite Runner in 2005, the program soared. All Fairfax Reads is a comprehensive effort to promote literature, an initiative spearheaded by the Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL). From May through September, every adult in the county is challenged to read and discuss one book, which has been nominated by a committee of enthusiastic, knowledgeable readers. Study guides for the book, library talks, blogs, lectures, films, and demonstrations are components of AFR. The event culminates during The Fall for a Book Festival, a week-long series of lively literary activities at or near George Mason University.

In 2008, Alan Bennett’s novel The Uncommon Reader was chosen for All Fairfax Reads. Bennett is considered one of England’s foremost contemporary playwrights. Since his first play was produced in 1960, he has kept audiences in stitches. “What a brilliant choice!” his many Fairfax fans undoubtedly exclaimed. Others less familiar with his writing might have been put off by the volume’s plain cover, its brevity, and its seemingly prosaic title. But the truth of a couple of old saws becomes quickly apparent; good things do come in small packages, and judging a book by its cover is indeed shortsighted. After the first few paragraphs, the title’s clever pun is revealed. When the Queen’s rowdy Corgis are introduced on the second page of the slender novella, readers are enchanted – and hooked, relishing every turn in the plot and savoring each delicious phrase.

The planning of All Fairfax Reads is managed by the office of Katie Strotman, the FCPL Programming Coordinator. Each year, a book is nominated, and a committee, composed of residents, professors, FCPL personnel and Board members, staff from other County agencies and representatives from the business world, develops program ideas. Strotman and her committee have a realistic, but inspiring goal for the program: “We hope this project gives our citizens a comfortable place to start reading and discussing books with friends and neighbors, and maybe that will lead to continued conversations and a deeper understanding of others and of the community.”

George Mason University’s Theater of the First Amendment (TFA) was a valued participant in All Fairfax Reads. A Celebration of Alan Bennett was offered on Sept. 23 at the Old Town Village Gallery in Fairfax. TFA Managing Director Kevin Murray picked the play Habeas Corpus for this presentation because, he observed, “it struck me as the most accessible and funniest of the plays I read. Much of Bennett’s work is commentary on the political and social life of Britain, and I am not an expert in that area. But I know comedy. It's also refreshing for TFA, which often does serious, thought-provoking work, to have a little fun with this.” And fun they had with Bennett’s mildly risqué, wildly funny farce. The staged reading sparkled. Cast members included Naomi Jacobson, Lynn-Jane Foreman, Frank Robinson, Jr, and Lisa Nanni-Messegee, who have all performed in previous TFA productions. “The City of Fairfax and Fall for the Book both sponsored the event, and we were proud to be part of it,” concluded Murray.

Like book clubs all over Fairfax, the Democratic Women of Clifton’s book club focused on The Uncommon Reader. The group, which is organized by Peggy Azouqha, held its September meeting in Springfield. Leah Johnson, who lives in Little Rocky Run, was the moderator. She began by presenting a brief biography of Alan Bennett, then moving on to questions in the FCPL study guide. Clifton resident Jane Barker commented that everyone at the meeting enjoyed the novella. Captivated by the British humor, they “loved the irony of the title.” The unanticipated ending delighted the participants immensely. Gretchen Klimoski, also of Clifton, found it interesting that such a “small book” could make an extremely important point. “Through her reading, the Queen learned how little she knew of real people and their concerns. Can we make a comparison with the Queen and our political leaders today? Do our elected officials read, and if they do, what is the impact of their reading?” To Klimoski, “this funny little story’s relevance to our choice of leaders today” is significant.

Many activities to enhance our appreciation of The Uncommon Reader were developed by the Fairfax County Public Library. The Web site is easy to use and informative (www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/allfxreads/). It contains not only a thought –provoking reading guide, but also Her Majesty’s Reading List, which is impressive. Discussion groups were scheduled at the Oakton and Burke Centre Libraries and the George Mason, Reston, Sherwood and Centreville Regional Libraries. In addition, horticulturist Bruce Nash gave a well-attended lecture and demonstration on The Art of Flower Arranging, UK Style, at Pohick. Helen Mirren’s 2006 Film, The Queen, was screened at the George Mason Regional Library, and British writer Alison Larkin spoke about her recent novel, The English American.

The Uncommon Reader gives us a peek into a world unfamiliar to most of us. While presentng a vision of the insularity of leaders who must depend on their staff for information, it emphasizes the importance of reading widely with style and charm. In describing The Uncommon Reader, Gerald E. Connolly, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, commented astutely: “This year’s book selection is a witty, quick read that speaks to the importance of literacy in an active community. I strongly encourage you to read this book, or any of the previous All Fairfax Reads selections, and discuss them with family, friends and neighbors.” What a ringing endorsement both for the book and for the many activities surrounding it!