Mrs Queen Takes the Train: A Novel

Did not expect this novel to be so endept to the lives of the British Monarch. Was fascinating. Would recommend this as a book club read.

Any of the above words could be used to describe this easy-to-read novel. The product description, which is what is contained on the back of the book, does an excellent job of describing the book so there is no need for me to give any explanation of plot or story-line.What this story has going for it is the believability of The Queen being a bit depressed and wanting a bit of cheering up. Every decision that is made to propel her into the world outside of the royal cocoon makes sense as you read it and she takes the reader right along with her. None of us knows the true personality of one of the most famous people in the world, but this book does an excellent job of drawing a character that could mirror the woman herself. My mother was the same age as The Queen, and some of the thoughts she has rings very true to that generation and its way of thinking. As she ponders the popularity of Princess Diana and expresses her confusion over the public's response to Elizabeth's stiff upper lip, I was able to grasp exactly why she would be perplexed as the rules of royal behavior have changed during her lift time. This is just one small example of the writing ability as well as the creative mind of the author.Not laugh-out-loud funny (at least for this American), there is a gentle humor and warmth throughout that makes this an enjoyable read and it stands out due to its originality.

This story begins with the Queen of England struggling with a bout of depression. It actually follows the stories of multiple people – the head butler, a stable hand at the Royal Mews, a local cheese store worker, a Lady in Waiting, the head ladies maid to the Queen, and one of the Queen’s assistants – and how their lives interact, connect, and effect each other. The Queen, in a brief moment when she has the ability to leave the palace without a chaperon, takes a chance and heads out. What follows is an interesting account of the different people she meets and how she reconnects with the public. It also follows her entourage at the palace and how they deal with her disappearance.I had a couple problems with this book. One issue was the age group of the people who were the characters of the book. They were all older individuals, and myself being younger, I was a little distanced from the characters by the experience, knowledge, and empathy that comes with age. The other issue I had was organization. The first half of the book bounces between the present day story line and the back stories for the different characters. It was difficult to bounce back and forth to multiple time periods, places and people. The back stories did help, but I think they could have been integrated better.Aside from these, I thought it was quite an interesting and inspired story. I liked the approach the author took, focusing on the deep emotions of the impressive monarch and her daily struggles that everyone can relate to in some way. It made her appear very human and very real, not just a figurehead. The desire to just be free for a few short minutes and be able to decide what you would like to do is a right we take for granted and it was highlighted beautifully in the book. It gives you a new appreciation for what the people of the monarchy deal with on a daily basis.Furthermore, it gives you an amazing view of the importance of the monarchy in Britain. In the US, we have an importance placed on the President, but it is nothing like the love and respect the book portrays of the British people for the monarchy. You are also able to meet and learn about the people who work for the crown, what they do, what is expected of them, and what helps them live and appreciate the crazy schedule and lack of a social life.I would recommend this book to anyone over forty or anyone interested in a cultural read. I was the latter. I liked the book, am glad I read it, but I will probably not pick it up again. However, it did spark interest in me to look more into the British monarchy and find similar books maybe set in different countries. It would be an excellent book club read as well.

Once in a great while I read a book I want the whole world to know about and to read. Mrs. Queen is one of those rare books, one of the most charming and original novels I have read. It seems Kuhn knows a lot of details about palace life, etiquette, and the current Queen of England, I can’t imagine how but he does. The plot revolves around the Queen feeling a bit down and going out on her own, strictly against all the rules she has obeyed since childhood. She wants cheese from a certain shop in London and then to take the train or bus to see her ship Britannia (scene of many happy moments in her life) and then to travel to Scotland where she is always happiest. Six interesting people are in a tizzy as they discover the Queen missing and try to find her before anyone else finds out. It turns out these people care for the Queen and for each other: Rajiv and Rachel (knows the Queen by caring for her horses), Luke and William (lonely men loyal to Her Majesty), and Lady Anne and Shirley (long time staff for the Queen and as old as she is). A favorite scene is when the Queen is traveling incognito, wearing a scarf on her head and Rachel’s hooded jacket with a skull printed on the hoodie’s back, and a young man tells her she looks familiar and then tells her she looks like Helen Mirren. There are many amusing scenes when the Queen is almost discovered. This is a story with a light touch; if you want to be cheered up or just like to smile, I highly recommend it.

I totally enjoyed this book.....the writing is so well done and made me picture visually of the Queen that we all Love doing some normal things that we can only hope she still does now and again!!

Anyone who respects and admires the Queen of England will enjoy this delightful book documenting her fictional day, when she goes "walk about"and decides to go and visit "her boat" which is docked up in Scotland. She knows that she was always happy on the QE 2 and wants to remember those happy times. A charming and delightful story, true escapism which we all need these days when the world can seem a scary place!

One of the best reads this year.Well this was a really delightful little find. I can not remember which of my friends recommended this to me, but thank you anyway.It is a sweetly heartwarming tale of a few fictitious days in the life of the modern monarch. And I will add here that I am no dyed in the wool monarchist, not by a long shot. Oh how I wish that this was a true mini biography. It brings to us an elderly lady who has always done her duty and now finds herself reflecting that she is not really appreciated for that, nor content to keep on.A wonderful read for a rainy day, when nothing was so important and pressing that I had to put it down and get on with real life. The cast of unlikely characters that all come together for the common goal is fun, but each has a story of their own that surfaces as the tale develops. I did feel a little let down in the final chapter when everyone, except the queen, was perfectly paired and it felt like a bit of sickly sweet happily ever after. However, I now think that William Kuhn used this to cleverly highlight the solitary state of the queens position and her strength.I really really hope that at some stage in the future I will read that the queen actually is a practitioner of yoga, that would make my day.

The book arrived promptly and in good condition, but it was listed as being "New" when in fact it was remaindered. Although technically unused, there is a black marker across the bottom of the book block. I would not expect a "new" book to have any marks.Otherwise great service.

What would it be like if one of the most famous women in the world could wander about and not being recognised. To go out of her gate, walk to a shop and purchase some cheese, get in a taxi, get on a train, and talk to those who serve you, those sit with you on the train. To share the run of the mill, normal every day things that you have never experienced before.William Kuhn's novel Mrs.Queen takes the Train, takes this wonderful concept and applies it to The Queen. It seems Queen Elizabeth II is feeling rather low, the world is moving on leaving her behind, she has lost her way somewhat, she has lost her mother and her sister, her children's lives have taken a rather a different and very public path than what is expected of royalty and technology is beating her."Life beyond the palace walls was foreign to her".In a bid to do something to cheer herself she wants to revisit the formal Royal Yacht Britannia the place she felt the most relaxed. So her adventure begins.....And as those who look after her, care for her and serve her realises that the Queen has stepped out on her own, they begin to make their own journeys to bring her back. The equerry and the butler. A lady in waiting and a dresser. A stable girl at the Mews and the shop assistant where the palace cheese comes from all follow the Queen.This is a rather a fun read, and if like me you want to suspend belief and imagine what if The Queen could do such things, then this is rather enjoyable. It labours slightly too much on the whole Diana saga a bit for my liking, although I was rather amused by the possible scenarios and conversations that they all could have had "Diana stood at the other end and hung her head too, not in misery but in disguised defiance. The Duke paced back and forth, giving a naval rant as if to his most junior ratings. "what in the devil's name do you think you two were doing? Everyone in this damnable country just wants you to be happy."This is a minor point and actually if you know very little about some elements of the royal family this novel gives you some of the facts without even realising it. General perception and opinion is covered well about the royal family and I think the author has certainly captured the fascination that many of us from all over the world have with The Queen and what goes on beyond the palace walls. Gently funny without being rude, all Terribly British I suppose.The novel does jump around a bit and at times I felt it did not flow as it could have done. Characters popping up suddenly, and the reader expecting them to just accept them with little introduction was a bit presumptive. I got a bit lost with the whole Rebecca/fox-hunting/boyfriend plot. The yoga element was actually unnecessary, The Queen has taken up yoga and it is through various poses that she copes with life and the chapters of this book are divided. The book would have worked well without this in, for me detracted from the story. A fun read to add to a collection if you have read The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett and The Queen and I by Sue Townsend.Royal fantasy escapism, posing the questions what if the Queen went out on her own and got on a train.....and who is to say that she has not done this already.........