Product Description

To the casual observer, the great enlightened city of Edinburgh, home of no-nonsense philosophers and cream teas, might appear immune to the rollercoaster of strong emotions. But at 44 Scotland Street, as Matthew and Elspeth embark on the risky enterprise of married love, the raffish portrait painter Angus Lordie has a premonition of disaster. And soon enough Irene Pollock is shocked to learn that her small son Bertie harbours a highly unsuitable ambition; the gloriously vain Bruce discovers a wrinkle and confronts rejection; and Angus finds himself facing the grave consequences of unbridled bliss, not to mention a large Glaswegian gangster bearing gifts ...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1125 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 336 pages

About the Author
Following a distinguished career as a Professor of Medical Law, Alexander McCall Smith has turned to writing full-time. He is the author of over sixty books on a wide array of subjects, and his books have been translated into forty-five languages. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife.

Customer Reviews

Life goes on in Edinburgh
I love this series. The style of writing is so gentle and unassuming, that I tend to think that nothing very much has happened - except that when I look back, of course things have happened, and some of them pretty dramatic, with Matthew's Dolphin and poor Lard. It's nice to see Ian Rankin making another appearence, Bruce is developing interestingly - which I never thought would happen - and I so wanted Bertie to make a bid for freedom, but for now, I suppose, Cubs will do. (I do find it hard to find that after all of these books, he's still only six. I'd rather like him to be older now.) The touches of humour are, as always, wonderful, and having been rather disappointed by La's Orchestra Saves the World, this book was was a huge pleasure to read. I also love the illustrations.

The very bearable lightness of McCall Smith
Any time I finish a book in the 44 Scotland Street Series I start longing for the next one! Little Bertie is a trusted friend, and so are Domenica, and Angus, Big Lou and the wonderfully vain Bruce: not so happy about that Elspeth girl marrying Matthew, but you can't really have everything! The great thing about these novels is that you are never disappointed, every character is so well described, their approach to life and troubles is so understandable, so common, and yet so unbearably light! I went to Edinburgh after reading the first two books, and it felt like home... Thank you Mr. McCall-Smith!

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
As always Alexander McCall Smith weaves a story which draws the reader in and gives the characters a realism which makes them seem totally familiar.
I am always left hoping there will be another book very soon.