Life as we know it?
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Alexander McCall Smith has the happy knack of writing novels which are light and fun without being trashy - and the short chapters of the Scotland Street novels make them perfect for the daily commute. It's refreshing to read a novel which doesn't depend upon Big Dramatic Events to keep things moving. Instead we just get the minutiae of day-to-day middle-class life in Edinburgh and the everyday thoughts, feelings, doubts and joys of some if its inhabitants. Especially amusing is pushy mother Irene and her unfortunate 'project child' Bertie.
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Delightful slice of Edinburgh middle class life
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This is gentle satire of Edinburgh middle-class Edinburgh life and being born and bred in the city I really enjoyed all the familiar landmarks and streets as well as the depictions of the foibles and prejudices of residents. The characters really come to life in the interweaving of the events that bring them together. There are some very funny scenes, especially concerning the child prodigy, Bertie. I'm looking forward to reading the follow-up books in the series to see what happens to them all.
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The Emperor's New Clothes....
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More and more I find that the hype for films and books way, way exceed the actual product - and this book is yet another example of this.
Admittedly some sections were entertaining but, on the whole, the writing is dreary and concentrates on a bunch of self-absorbed people. Perhaps a matter of personal taste. I found the characters annoying and trite - a narcissistic former tenant of 44 Scotland Street, daddy's little rich girl, a feeble art gallery owner etc etc. The most interesting character is probably Cyril the dog. Probably would have been more interesting if Cyril had contracted rabies and bitten them all.
My personal opinion and I doubt I will be reading another McCall Smith book.
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snooze-fest.
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this book was bought for me so i thought i'd better read it, but i wish i hadn't bothered! i very rarely give up on books ut i came close with this one several times. after giving it several "last chances" i wish i'd gone with my first thoughts and not bothered! the only parts i came close to enjoying were the bits about "the child genius" which were mildly amusing, but otherwise a load of rubbish!
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A Great Mix
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Having only discovered this author through watching the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency on the television - oh what a find. I have started with this set of Alexander McCall Smith books.
The characters are warm and interesting, who all make up the foundations of the house in Scotland Street. Pat was slightly dysfunctional and I thought at times very awkward within the book. Perhaps that is why she is on her second gap year.
Bruce makes you want to despise every man ever living, but you know he is like a scratch annoying when you have got it but you just have to itch it. I hope he gets some sort of justice - perhaps his move into wine might be the down fall for him?
Bertie was the strongest that shone through for me. A delightful child trapped with this mother who has the issues and is getting far more from therapy then Bertie. A child that just wants to be a child - train sets and all.
This book is simple in its understanding and great to dip in and out of but leaving you wanting more. Just as soon as a couple of chapters have gone past and characters have been dealt with then the author changes track and focuses on another. A great comparison with Charles Dickens, for me who serialised some of his books in a paper over a period of time, again switching back from characters and situations to keep the reader hooked.
The reason for 4 stars is easy - I am not from Scotland and many of the places and the 'in jokes' were slightly lost on me. However, this did not stop me enjoying the novel immensely and I am off to enjoy book 2!
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