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Six-year-old Bertie and artist Angus Lordie join forces to rescue Lordie's beloved dog Cyril from the pound in this fourth charming installment in the bestselling 44 Scotland Street series.
User reviews
LibraryThing member dsc73277
Another utterly delightful series of episodes from the lives of the current and former residents of 44 Scotland Street. Six year old Italian speaking and saxaphone playing Bertie continues to suffer as the subject of his mother's child-rearing project. Angus faces the prospect of life without his
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canine companion, Cyril, when the dog is wrongly accused of an attack. Big Lou gets a new man in her life and has to try and fit in with his Jacobite friends, and Pat and Matthew reach an important decision. The narcissistic Bruce returns too. If you liked the first three volumes, you will not be disappointed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Libbeth
I didn't enjoy this as much as any of Alexander McCall Smith's other books. In fact, it has put me off reading any more Scotland Street books as Bertie's Mum annoyed me so much I can't bear to read any more about her.
LibraryThing member BrianEWilliams
This one is not as good as the past ones. It ran out of gas in the last quarter of the book. There is however some interesting "facts" mentioned in it. I wonder whether it's true that Singapore has a navy that it keeps in Australia, or that Boliva has one that is kept in Uruguay.
LibraryThing member Tess22
I've really enjoyed the 44 Scotland Street series so far, and was impressed overall with this fourth installment as well.
There were a couple of disappointments. Child prodigy Bertie and his horrifically pushy mother Irene have always been the stand out characters and judging from the title I'd
The other characters vary in how far they've developed. Pat, who was promising in the first novel, is increasingly bland. Smith doesn't seem to know what to do with her and is just recycling old material. Happily, her shy boss/friend/boyfriend Matthew, who used to be in the background and who I always liked, is now being given more attention and getting more rounded. Domenica's 'frenemy' relationship with her neighbour Antonia was another strong point, with some very amusing scenes centred on their strained meetings. I was unsure about the return of Bruce - I definitely didn't miss him in the previous book - but his egotism and complete lack of morality provided some excellent moments this time. Angus's mournful chapters seemed to drag, and I hope he gets a happier and more interesting plot next time.
Of course, as you can see from my reactions, Alexander McCall Smith's real strong point is getting you involved in the lives of characters who seem like real people. Although very little happens in the Scotland Street stories (except a lot of talking and thinking) and I often wish the plot would move faster, I'm always eager to read the next chapter. I suppose that's an indication of Smith's skill in writing the original serialised newspaper story, and the eagerness to continue reading doesn't end on the final page. There were lots of interesting leads at the end of the book and I'm really looking forward to reading number 5. PLEASE let Irene fall on her face!
There were a couple of disappointments. Child prodigy Bertie and his horrifically pushy mother Irene have always been the stand out characters and judging from the title I'd
Show More
hoped they would have a more prominent role. Their storyline was particularly entertaining this time though, with Irene finding a mini-me in Bertie's awful classmate Olive.The other characters vary in how far they've developed. Pat, who was promising in the first novel, is increasingly bland. Smith doesn't seem to know what to do with her and is just recycling old material. Happily, her shy boss/friend/boyfriend Matthew, who used to be in the background and who I always liked, is now being given more attention and getting more rounded. Domenica's 'frenemy' relationship with her neighbour Antonia was another strong point, with some very amusing scenes centred on their strained meetings. I was unsure about the return of Bruce - I definitely didn't miss him in the previous book - but his egotism and complete lack of morality provided some excellent moments this time. Angus's mournful chapters seemed to drag, and I hope he gets a happier and more interesting plot next time.
Of course, as you can see from my reactions, Alexander McCall Smith's real strong point is getting you involved in the lives of characters who seem like real people. Although very little happens in the Scotland Street stories (except a lot of talking and thinking) and I often wish the plot would move faster, I'm always eager to read the next chapter. I suppose that's an indication of Smith's skill in writing the original serialised newspaper story, and the eagerness to continue reading doesn't end on the final page. There were lots of interesting leads at the end of the book and I'm really looking forward to reading number 5. PLEASE let Irene fall on her face!
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LibraryThing member thorold
Alexander McCall Smith books are always a delight, and I tend to treat them a bit like boxes of chocolates, as things to be stashed away until a suitable occasion for self-indulgence, such as an illness or a tedious journey. This one kept me chuckling merrily through a couple of hours at Manchester
This is the fourth novel to come out of McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street serial. It's a bit more introspective and character-based than the earlier instalments. Things do happen, but they have oddly inverted levels of significance - the mislaying of a baby is less important to the story than the possible theft of a teacup; marriage proposals accepted and rejected do little to ruffle the even tenor of Edinburgh life (one wonders how Inspector Rebus ever finds any crimes to solve in such a tranquil place...). The serial form is very evident - McCall Smith wanders off from time to time into discussions of new books or abstract philosophical ideas, or puts in little nods to other Edinburgh citizens (presumably friends and acquaintances). It may well be the discipline of writing the stories as a serial that keep his gentle ironic tone fresh and interesting, even when the characters aren't doing very much except sitting around thinking.
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Airport and a KLM flight, events which probably qualify on both counts...This is the fourth novel to come out of McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street serial. It's a bit more introspective and character-based than the earlier instalments. Things do happen, but they have oddly inverted levels of significance - the mislaying of a baby is less important to the story than the possible theft of a teacup; marriage proposals accepted and rejected do little to ruffle the even tenor of Edinburgh life (one wonders how Inspector Rebus ever finds any crimes to solve in such a tranquil place...). The serial form is very evident - McCall Smith wanders off from time to time into discussions of new books or abstract philosophical ideas, or puts in little nods to other Edinburgh citizens (presumably friends and acquaintances). It may well be the discipline of writing the stories as a serial that keep his gentle ironic tone fresh and interesting, even when the characters aren't doing very much except sitting around thinking.
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LibraryThing member bearette24
For a while I didn't like the 44 Scotland Street series as much as McCall Smith's other series, but this book changed my mind. The characters really came into their own. It felt like this time, he was treating the story like a real novel, and not just a newspaper serial.
LibraryThing member lilithcat
The latest installment of McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street series is as delightful as its predecessors. Bertie's mom continues to be obnoxious and oblivious, but Bertie and his dad both seem to be growing backbones. Bruce is back, also oblivious and obnoxious, but he may have met his feminine
There better be more, because we have some new people introduced about whom I was instantly curious, and some relationships (of love and friendship) look to be starting or ending. I want more!
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match! We have the usual philosophical digressions that make the author's books so enjoyable, and of course Edinburgh is again as much a character as any of the humans (or dogs).There better be more, because we have some new people introduced about whom I was instantly curious, and some relationships (of love and friendship) look to be starting or ending. I want more!
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LibraryThing member poonamsharma
A quiet, witty book with lot of amusing observations. Matthew seems to find a life partner, Bruce is getting married, Domenica and Angus 'possibly' have a future together. ;)
LibraryThing member AntT
Bertie & Cyril—could life be any better? I adore the 44 Scotland Street series. It's as charming as the Scots.
LibraryThing member AntT
Bertie & Cyril—could life be any better? I adore the 44 Scotland Street series. It's as charming as the Scots.
LibraryThing member LynnB
This is my first book by Alexander McCall Smith; likely to also be my last. It was an enjoyable read, often funny and sometimes poignant. This is a story of the complexities of human relationships in a small neighbourhood. The author has presented a credible "slice of life", but overall, it was a
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bit light for my taste. Show Less
LibraryThing member lhaines56
How a nearly 7 year old prodigy sees the world in his tightly ordered life by his very overbearing mother.
LibraryThing member Bookish59
Angus comments on Scotland, her history and quirky secret clubs when discussing Big Lou's latest beau with Matthew. He uses phrases and terminology with which I am not familiar. Had to do a bit of research.
Wonderful Domenica is coerced into re-thinking and modifying her neighborly expectations and
Matthew and Bruce both make life-changing committments but in such different ways. One based on true love and care; the other more of a manipulated materialistic transactional arrangement.
Once again, McCall Smith spices up this novel with lots of humor through Bertie's thoughts of new baby Ulysses' provenance. And with Angus' Cyril making up for being locked up, with a quickie hook up during what had been a regular walk.
Once again McCall Smith has pulled off an engaging, informative, and fun addition to the 44 Scotland Street series.
Wonderful Domenica is coerced into re-thinking and modifying her neighborly expectations and
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responsibilities to her friend Antonia who has purchased an apartment in the building. Matthew and Bruce both make life-changing committments but in such different ways. One based on true love and care; the other more of a manipulated materialistic transactional arrangement.
Once again, McCall Smith spices up this novel with lots of humor through Bertie's thoughts of new baby Ulysses' provenance. And with Angus' Cyril making up for being locked up, with a quickie hook up during what had been a regular walk.
Once again McCall Smith has pulled off an engaging, informative, and fun addition to the 44 Scotland Street series.
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LibraryThing member etxgardener
The wonderful characters are back in this the 4th novel in the 44 Scotland Street series.+ Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril, has been arrested as a biter by the authorities, Domenica is back in Scotland Street and not to happy to find that Antonia, who she sublet her apartment too when away studying the
As usual, the author has created a world of good friends, gentle people (even gangster Lard O'Connor), and problems that always seem to be worked out in a most satisfactory manner. Sometimes I wish I could live in this world full time.
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pirates in Malucca, has purchased the flat next door. Bruce is back after a not so successful sojourn in London and finds himself adrift until he meets Julia. Pat and Matthew embark on a romance, Big Lou is still looking for same after jettisoning the unsatisfactory Eddie, and Bertie, is finding no relief from his mother's endless prodding even though there is a new baby in the house. And why does that baby look so much like Dr. Fairbairn?As usual, the author has created a world of good friends, gentle people (even gangster Lard O'Connor), and problems that always seem to be worked out in a most satisfactory manner. Sometimes I wish I could live in this world full time.
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Book on CD performed by Robert Ian MacKenzie
Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) residents of the apartment complex. Bertie has questions about his new baby brother, Ulysses. Angus is frantic after his beloved Cyril is
What I love about the ensemble series is that each book gives us just a glimpse into their lives. We pick up where the last book left off, and end with many issues still unresolved. It’s the same way we encounter casual friends, catching up when we see them, but not knowing how things will turn out once we depart. And yet, happy to see them again and catchup once more.
Robert Ian MacKenzie does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobooks. He really brings all these characters to life. I particularly like how he voices Bertie. How I love that kid!
Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) residents of the apartment complex. Bertie has questions about his new baby brother, Ulysses. Angus is frantic after his beloved Cyril is
Show More
“incarcerated” on a charge of biting. Bruce, Big Lou and Matthew find new love interests. And Domenica is not so sure that her friend Antonia is really a friend after the latter moves in across the hall. What I love about the ensemble series is that each book gives us just a glimpse into their lives. We pick up where the last book left off, and end with many issues still unresolved. It’s the same way we encounter casual friends, catching up when we see them, but not knowing how things will turn out once we depart. And yet, happy to see them again and catchup once more.
Robert Ian MacKenzie does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobooks. He really brings all these characters to life. I particularly like how he voices Bertie. How I love that kid!
Show Less
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