Kell Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 44 Scotland Street Author: Alexander McCall Smith ISBN # 0349118973 Publisher: Abacus 1st Published: 2005 326 pages Welcome to 44 Scotland Street, home to some of Edinburgh's most colorful characters. There's Pat, a twenty-year-old who has recently moved into a flat with Bruce, an athletic young man with a keen awareness of his own appearance. Their neighbor, Domenica, is an eccentric and insightful widow. In the flat below are Irene and her appealing son Bertie, who is the victim of his mother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted July 21, 2006 Share Posted July 21, 2006 I have just finished reading this and have to say I skimmed a lot of it. Although knowing parts of Edinburgh did find it quite amusing. Loved the chapter when they end up in the charitiy shop in Morningside...could just imagine where they were. Also I actually worked in the Braid Hills Hotel as a receptionist way back too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magdadh Posted September 6, 2006 Share Posted September 6, 2006 I found it rather sweet but totally forgetable apart from the genral mood. Which is probably what the author intended anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danna Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I enjoyed both of the books in the series... but, I have to admit that I listened to the unabridged versions. The narrator brought each of the characters to life, and I couldn't get enough! Danna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted June 29, 2007 Share Posted June 29, 2007 I've read an enjoyed these - I think they have a feel of The Tales of the City series which was also written originally in serial form - although TTotC are darker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyanddandy Posted June 30, 2007 Share Posted June 30, 2007 I read and thoroughly enjoyed this about 2-3 years ago - I have the follow up waiting in my TBR list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danna Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Judy, I had never heard about The Tales of the City (not to be confused with the Two Cities!) until you posted the above letter. I just looked at Amazon, and see that it actually is a series of books. (I should have known that as "library lady," you would know!) Since both of us like the 44 Scotland Street happenings so much, I am thinking that I would probably like the Tales of the City series, also. Thanks for posting about them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 Judy, I had never heard about The Tales of the City (not to be confused with the Two Cities!) until you posted the above letter. I just looked at Amazon, and see that it actually is a series of books. (I should have known that as "library lady," you would know!) Since both of us like the 44 Scotland Street happenings so much, I am thinking that I would probably like the Tales of the City series, also. Thanks for posting about them... I started reading the series during the 90's - think I finished one and two and got part way through number 3. They are not as innocent as The Scotland Street series but I think they had a similiar atmosphere plus they too started life as a daily story in a newspaper. It would be nice to continue with them sometime especially as Armistead Maupin has recently written a novel about one of the main characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danna Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Judy... You probably think I'm following you from one Alexander McCall Smith thread to the next! Now you have piqued my interest in Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. (Would the Tale's book character you are referring to happen to be Michael Tolliver?) I'm off to order the first Tales of the City... your taste for Alexander McCall Smith suggests that I might just enjoy Maupin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I enjoyed the Tales of the City books, more than McCall Smith actually, have just read his most recent, Michael Tolliver Lives which I enjoyed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Danna - hope you do enjoy them Louise - hmm think my wishlist/tbr has just got longer again! I feel like I'm going to have to read The Tales of the City series again first to re-acquaint myself with the characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louiseog Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Danna - hope you do enjoy them Louise - hmm think my wishlist/tbr has just got longer again! I feel like I'm going to have to read The Tales of the City series again first to re-acquaint myself with the characters. I was quite surprised as I read them about 20 years ago and I remembered them! Mouse and Mrs Madrigal wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danna Posted July 15, 2007 Share Posted July 15, 2007 I just ordered the first of the Tales of the City books. I can't wait to get them. Thanks (to all) for the recommendation. I am always on the look-out for a new author! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I really enjoy the 44 Scotland Street novels. For me, they're the literary equivalent of a soap opera (something I don't watch on TV), and I find them utterly charming! I love the mix of different characters, and how their stories overlap, and because the story was originally written as a daily newspaper column, it means the author has had to make sure that each chapter has enough content to keep you interested, and include a cliff hanger to make you want to come back and read again the next day. As with all Alexander McCall Smith's novels based in Edinburgh, it gives a generally warm, romantic view of the city, much like Richard Curtis does for London in his films - very good for the tourist industry, I suspect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie2008 Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 This is next on my TBR list, along with the second one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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