Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #68 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 368 pages

Synopsis
The story of Bertie and his dysfunctional family continues in this fifth instalment alongside the familiar cast of favourites - Big Lou, Domenica, Angus Lordie, Cyril and others - in their daily pursuit of a little happiness. With customary charm and deftness, Alexander McCall Smith has again given us a clever, witty and utterly delightful new novel.

Customer Reviews

More! More! More!
This latest 44 Scotland Street novel doesn't disappoint except that it is just too difficult to make it last! Once finished, I, as usual, feel bereft - how many months will I have to wait for another in this series or, the equally enjoyable, Sunday Philosophy Club series? If only A McCall-Smith would concentrate on just these two series about wonderful Edinburgh! His subtle social comment and wonderful description of his characters draw the reader into this fascinating city and says a lot about life in the UK (sorry, Scotland) in 2008. Read ALL the books in the series in the order they were written and you will be hooked! MORE! MORE! MORE! soon, please.

Listen to Books on CD
I have just loved this whole series of books based in Edinburgh. Rather than buy the books, I have been buying them on CD and listening to them when driving along in the car. Narrators with their easy Scottish voices such as Blythe Duff and especially David Rintoul (what a voice!) are so familiar and homely.

The stories are entertaining, interesting and captivating and the characters engaging: young Bertie just can't grow up quickly enough for me: his mother is a pain: Dr Fairbairn makes me cringe: and Bruce is just so awful (Chinos or no Chinos - give me a 'distressed oatmeal sweater' any day!). You find you just can't drag yourself away from the characters, and we all know someone with similar traits.

I can almost taste the Parmesan or Panne Forte from Valvona & Crolla, I would love to spend time in Lou's Coffee Shop, and a drink in the Cumberland Bar with Angus Lordie and Cyril would be 'chust perfecto'.

I do hope when this one comes out on CD that it is once again David Rintoul doing the narration - if you are reading this Alexander McCall Smith - keep them coming!

As good as ever
This instalment of the series is just as good as its predecessors. Matthew embarks on married life; Bertie continues to ask awkward questions about his little brother's parentage; Domenica wonders what Antonia is up to and Angus Lordie and Cyril have a close encounter with some puppies. Each short chapter is complete in itself and many are highly amusing. What can you do with 6 puppies in an Edinburgh flat? Big Lou is still serving coffee and sympathy to all who need it and still reading through her eclectic library. Old friends make an appearance and some problems are sorted. I loved it for its gentle humour and the knowledge of human nature in all its forms which this author displays. I can't wait for the next one.