| 44 Scotland Street | 
 enlarge | Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Abacus
Category: Book
List Price: £6.99
Buy New: £5.49
You Save: £1.50 (21%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 743
Media: Paperback
Edition: New Ed
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.7 x 0.9
ISBN: 0349118973
EAN: 9780349118970
ASIN: 0349118973
Publication Date: August 11, 2005
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 29 | | NEXT » |
 snooze-fest. June 29, 2008
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!
 A Great Mix April 28, 2008
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!
 I absolutely loved it! October 1, 2007
It has been a long time since a book totally delighted me - and this book definitely did! I cannot recommend it highly enough. I thought it was hilarious! I laughed out loud so many times when reading this book.
The character development is brilliant - I read it in a day, page turning to see what happened next. So many funny 'cringe' moments - Bruce and his pants was a particular favourite. I've now ordered the next in the series and can't wait to read it!
A great cast of characters June 9, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
44 Scotland Street introduces us to a cast of great characters all living in a house that has been turned into several flats. It takes a witty, sometimes wry look at Edinburgh life. We meet the fairly horrid Bruce, Pat, his flatmate, and the unforgettable Bertie - a child prodigy, and his truly dreadful parents. Young Pat (2 gap years)takes a job in a gallery and there is a lot of fun and misunderstanding over a certain painting. Good fun, a real feel good read.
 A pleasant surprise April 25, 2007
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
When this book came into my hands, I have to admit I didn't think I was going to like it. Given that my only knowledge of the author had to do with a series of novels revolving around an African detective agency for women (or thereabouts)- I guess I was expecting a flight of fancy through Edinburgh, with no real meat to it.
I couln't have been more wrong. This book is a wittily observed journey through the lives and thoughts of five or six of the best realised characters I've come across in modern fiction.
The narcissistic Bruce, fantastically pretentious Irene and perpetually befuddled Matthew are among my favourites, but I think there's definitely someone for everyone in this book.
I can foresee a potential negative for some people coming to this book expecting a great saga. Because of the way in which it was written (Smith submitted a chapter a day to The Scotsman newspaper for 110 days), the story flits around and just as a particular line gets some legs, you find yourself focused on something totally different.
For those who like books with a long, developed plot line and deeply winding subplots, this book may feel like dealing with a hyperactive child. However, if you like dry, well realised humour with a good pace and excellent characters, then this will make a great read.
I'm certainly interested enough to hunt down the two sequels. Well done, Mr Smith, you've converted another fan.
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