Two Weeks with the Queen

Colin's little brother is dying of cancer, and his parents send him from their home in Australia to stay with his aunt and uncle in London while they deal with..."things." But Colin, who has long been jealous of the attention his brother gets, is determined to turn the tables and get the appreciation from his parents he thinks he deserves: he formulates a plan to see the queen about borrowing her Top Doctor to save his brother's life.
I spent the first part of the book borderline-annoyed at Colin's attitude, and most of the rest of it worried that it was going to turn too sad and sappy. But, in the end, everything evens out, and although it *is* quite sad, it never turns maudlin or saccharine, but instead transforms into a perfectly show more balanced story of love and grief as experienced in childhood and beyond. show less

Twelve-year old Colin wanted a microscope for Christmas. His parents gave him school shoes instead, while his younger brother Luke got the exact model aeroplane he had asked for. But when Luke is diagnosed with an incurable cancer and Colin gets dispatched to stay with relatives in England so he won’t “have to suffer too”, Colin realises how important his brother is to him. And Colin makes a plan: surely the Queen must have a doctor who could cure Luke…

Colin is surprised to find how difficult it is for a bloke to speak to the Queen about an urgent medical matter. He tries visiting her in person, phoning her, sending a message with a big nob in the Queen’s Squadron he meets at an Air Show, and finally resorts to writing her a show more very carefully-worded letter. Even then she takes an unbelievably long time to reply, so in the mean time Colin sets to work finding his own solutions to Luke’s problem.

While in London, Colin encounters different kinds of illness and wellness. There’s his cousin Alistair, “the healthiest thirteen year old he’d ever seen apart from the dandruff”, whose mother worries about him all the time and won’t let him touch anything or do anything in case it makes him ill. Not surprisingly, Alistair, although frightened, is more than willing to run away with Colin to the Amazon to “find an ancient tribe and get them to tell you their cure for cancer”.

Also, in the hospital where he goes to talk to The Best Doctor In The World about what can be done for Luke, Colin meets Ted. Ted has a friend in the hospital dying of cancer, so the two have some common ground. But Colin also has a lot to learn from Ted, including what to do to stop oneself from “turning into a misery-guts”.

At the beginning of this story, Colin has typical feelings of jealousy towards his younger brother, convinced that his parents favour Luke. But, like many siblings, once he understands the situation and begins to realise that he and Luke may not be playing cricket together for much longer, Colin identifies some more positive feelings for his only brother.

I think the best way to conclude my review of this story is to quote from another review found on the back of the book: “To write a funny book which includes a child dying of cancer and a youth of AIDS looks to be not only impossible but in dubious taste as well. Gleitzman shows otherwise.” (from The Times) Each time I read it, this book makes me laugh out loud as well as cry real tears; I find it hard to imagine a reader who wouldn’t get something out of reading it. I can also sincerely recommend it for reading aloud (to a mature audience). show less

I first read this book in school. I re-read it as an adult and loved it just as much as I did the first time!

When his brother becomes seriously ill with leukaemia, Colin is sent to stay with relatives in England.

Determined to get the best help possible, he decides to approach the Queen, and failing her, the best cancer doctor in the world. Along the way, he strikes up a touching friendship with a gay man whose partner is dying from AIDS.

This incredibly moving tale is interjected with warmth and a lot of humour. A valuable book, particularly for those dealing with the terminal illness of a child.

Truly beautiful!

This is a humorous but deeply moving story about Colin who refuses to believe that his younger brother is dying of cancer and decides to take things into his own hands. Colin decides to go to the top for help, to none other than the Queen. Colin's efforts to penetrate the British establishment are hilarious, surprising and doomed to failure, but although Colin can't find a cure for cancer, he does find a way to help some of the new friends he makes, as well as discovering the best thing he can do for Luke.

Colin's little brother, Luke, is diagnosed with cancer. In their grief and shock the boy's parents send Colin to his aunt and uncle in England, while telling him little about the diagnosis. Colin convinces himself that the Queen's doctor will be able to cure Luke and sets about contacting the Queen in order to find the best doctor in the world. Numerous comic interludes occur while Colin pursues his quest. While doing so Colin befriends Ted whose partner, Griff, is dying of AIDS. Colin becomes part of Griff's last days, supporting both Griff and Ted. Through this experience Colin knows he has to be with Luke during his last days. Colin's magical thinking is all too real and he and Ted's grief, while downplayed, is powerful.

Colin Mudford is on a mission. His brother Luke has cancer and Colin has been sent to stay with his aunt and uncle in London while his parents care for his brother through the final stages of cancer. But Colin is desperate to do something to help Luke. He wants to find the best the doctor in the world. Where better to start than by going to the top? Colin is determined to ask the Queen for her advice. If only he can reach the Queen, he reasons, she’ll be able to put him in touch with the best cancer doctor in the world and Luke will be made well. Instead, Colin meets some remarkable people and, through them, he is able to share some of the universal grief of losing a person you love. This is one of the few children's book that I have show more read that deal with the serious subject of cancer, HIV, gay men, in a way that is non-judgmental, affirming way. The material is presented in a sweet though not very realistic way, though the compassion and the relationships feel quite real. 3 ½ out of 5. show less

“Two Weeks with the Queen” shows the extent people go to in order to save the lives of loved ones. When Colin’s younger brother Luke becomes seriously ill with leukaemia, he is determined to get the best help possible. Shortly after Luke’s diagnosis, Colin is sent to stay with his relatives in England. This is where he devises the outrageous plan to get the best doctor in the world, who will then hopefully cure his brother’s devastating cancer. What makes this particular plan outrageous is the fact that he plans to contact the Queen, because surely she knows the best doctor in the world!

Colin’s journey encompasses various adventures which vary from good to bad. Along the way, he is helped by a young man whose partner is show more dying of AIDS. However, he does endure many difficulties in his numerous attempts to contact the Queen. “Two Weeks with the Queen” tells a tale of unconditional love, and though it is quite humorous it also shows the seriousness of the issue.

In my opinion, Gleitzman has yet again written another extraordinary book. The ideas put forward are exceptional and the emotion certainly is gripping. It is generally quite light-hearted due to the contrast between humour and Luke’s horrid state. It is easy to understand which is why I believe it would suit an audience of a wide range. Gleitzman depicts the special bond between siblings ever so perfectly. I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of Gleitzman because this glorious novel is absolutely worth reading. show less