| Espresso Tales | 
 enlarge | Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $2.75
You Save: $11.20 (80%)
New (52) Used (49) Collectible (2) from $2.75
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 17526
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 368
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0307275973
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.917
EAN: 9780307275974
ASIN: 0307275973
Publication Date: July 11, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: very good copy, as new
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 30 | | NEXT » |
 A great summer read July 7, 2008
Another great novel by Alexander McCall Smith- super novel that keeps you engrossed and wanting more when you get to the end.
 A Taste Of Edinburgh March 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book, the second in the "44 Scotland Street" series truly gives the reader's palate a taste of Edinburgh. Taking off from his first book, this one develops to a far greater degree those characters introduced in the premier book. McCall Smith has a way of capturing the Edinburgh environment which describes it as the unique and even quaint place that it is. There is no other place in the world like it.
The feeling of Scottish allegiance plays a large part in the descriptive short chapters that Smith creates. Because the novel is a series of serialized columns, each chapter is short and succinct. But each chapter has its own character, has a point to make and a flavor to project.
The reader will be introduced to deeper understanding of the original characters and their relationship to each other. In addition, Smith mixes his characters and their personalities so that there is nothing boring about the book. Rather, each reader will recognize types of people, yet they will be enhanced broadly by the uniqueness of the Scottish environment in which they reside.
Like all McCall Smith's writings, this book is truly a wonderfully descriptive and interesting portrayal of life in Edinburgh, and in fact, life itself, everywhere. Readers should not miss the opportunity to enjoy this fine piece of work develop by Smith in daily segments. It truly is a joy to read.
A Complete Delight! February 28, 2008
If you don't find this book laugh-out-loud funny, then you will have altogether missed the point! Every bit as delightful as 44 Scotland Street, the parody of Edinburgh characters continues in the author's usual witty fashion, with scenes of the ridiculous (but often not altogether impossible) and individual personality traits highlighted to the greatest degree. It's a superb comment upon the ridiculous... In fact, do we even realise how ridiculous our society can potentially be!?
Get back in touch with old friends from 44 Scotland Street. There's Pat, the young 20-something soon-to-be student... should she go to the nudist party at Moray Place? She's still working in the Art Gallery for Matthew & it's now turning a profit... can Matthew find some confidence? The erstwhile narcissistic Bruce had decided upon the wine trade as his latest venture, having recently been fired from his career as a chartered surveyor... of course, it doesn't bother him in the slightest that he knows nothing at all about wine! Pat's neighbour and friend Domenica is still there with her insightful comments upon humankind. So too, Angus & his faithful friend, Cyril. But more to the point, this book focuses most of all upon little Bertie (now 6) and his insufferably pushy mother, Irene. Can Stuart stand up to Irene and let Bertie be a little boy? Bertie is finding his way, having just started school, he is now tentatively trying to make friends & "fit in". But this is difficult for Bertie with his pink dungarees, his pink bedroom, his yoga classes, and Italian lessons, the sessions with the psychotherapist & his Grade 7 saxophone. Bertie wants to love mummy all the time... but is finding it very difficult...
Just as its predecessor the book is written with short pithy chapters (over 100 of them), each presenting a mini-story & social commentary of their own. Some reviewers have found the political chapters boring, but that IS totally the point - read them & you'll see why & don't worry, they're short! I loved every bit of this book & everyone with a good sense of humour should find something to enjoy.
Delightful January 19, 2008
Just finished this delightful book and enjoyed every page. I love the diversity of the characters- all so dead-on, I feel like these are real people. The author has a way of saying so much in not too many words. I've never been to Scotland but feel like I have a clear picture of various slices of life there. Probably my favorite character is the little boy, Bertie. I can't wait to find out what happens in the sequel.
I've read all the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books twice, and listened to them all on audio. I was hoping this Scotland Street series would be good, and am so glad it is.
More about Bertie . . . January 1, 2008
Little Bertie has some triumphs in this charming sequel to 44 Scotland Street. Lots of new giggles in Espresso Tales and just as delightful as 44 Scotland street is. Alexander McCall Smith is a genius who captures the essence of a character in as few words as humanly possible. I think you'll enjoy this book so much more if you read 44 Scotland Street first.
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