| Espresso Tales | 
 enlarge | Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Anchor
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $2.49
You Save: $11.46 (82%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  33 reviews
Sales Rank: 20926
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
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| Customer Reviews:
 Another fun romp in Scotland Street November 3, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you liked 44 Scotland Street, you will also enjoy this next book in McCall Smith's series. All the characters are back and their adventures are more exciting even than the last book's. The one exception is Ramsey Dunbarton's memoirs, which are intended to be so boring they are hilarious but unfortunately hit the mark at boring period. I don't know why McCall Smith kept on and on adding installments to the man's memoirs- it felt like there were a lot of chapters wasted on it that could have been better used on the charming Bertie or Pat.
That said, the book still gets five stars, because except for these few chapters about Ramsey, the book was very enjoyable and moved along at a good pace.
 A most delightful read October 20, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
In "Espresso Tales," the marvelous sequel to "44 Scotland Street," Alexander McCall Smith once again displays his mastery of getting inside his characters' heads, whether they be child or dog, narcissistic macho or crashing bore, a woman feeling the pinch of advancing age or a mother overdoing it in the nurture department. The story I predict you'll fall in love with is that of Bertie, the precocious youngster who can speak Italian and play the saxophone but hasn't yet mastered crossing streets. As the episodes switched from character to character, I pounced on the ones dealing with Bertie to see how he was progressing in thwarting his arch-nemesis, his loving mother, who has ensured his place as class freak in the first grade by making him wear pink (make that "crushed strawberry") dungarees to prove his liberation from gender stereotypes.
The novel is character-driven, but the characters I felt succeeded the least were Pat, the young woman who played the lead role in "44 Scotland Street," who, while sweet, is rather bland, and Ramsey Dunbarton, whose tediousness is so well characterized I tended to skip over his boring monologues when I realized that they didn't further the plot.
But these are small complaints. Even if you haven't had the pleasure of reading "44 Scotland Street," you will enjoy this novel if you love rich depictions of exotic eccentrics; in the end, you will recognize them to be very much like people you know.
 Only Bother if you loved 44 Scotland Street September 21, 2006
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
There's only one reason to buy this sequel to 44 Scotland Street - to see what happens to Bertie. Otherwise it adds little to the tales already told, and the new characters are boring, to say the least. I was suprised to find I didn't like it - it's the only Smith book I haven't totally enjoyed so far. Anything but this, that's what I recommend.
This Series Rivals No. 1 Ladies' September 7, 2006
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
Once again, McCall Smith takes us to visit with the 44 Scotland Street neighborhood. This time, we learn much more about Bertie - the extremely precocious 6-year old - and his conflicts with his incredibly clingy mother Irene. And, we actually hear his father speak up and do something other than read the newspaper. The meetings with Bertie's psychiatrist are again entertaining as is the doctor's attempt to reach catharsis with his most famous patient.
And, we hear Domenica speak about globalization. Matthew shows us he can do something right, and then we meet his father and his potential nuptial mate. Cyrus' dog bites the people who deserve it. Cyrus gives a great party at the end. Pat, after two gap years, decides to attend university. Bruce as a failed person fails in business - or does he? And more.
But, McCall Smith tells us he wrote this book to find closure from the previous book "44 Scotland Street." Here he failed. And, failed miserably. And, thank our lucky stars he is such a failure.
This group of eccentrics is fast making books which rival his beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. At the end, we ask for more. What is going to happen to Domenica in her quest to seek pirates? Or, what will happen to Bruce in London? Or, how is Pat going to handle her first year at university after not one, but two, gap years? And, will Matthew accept his father's new bride, if there is to even be one?
If you are thinking of reading this book, do so. But, I highly recommend that you first read "44 Scotland Street" so as to acquaint yourself to the characters and their surroundings.
Masterfully written September 2, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I have read few books that are so well written. This book is enjoyable for the story line and the characters, but almost more enjoyable for McCall Smith's masterful writing. I savor every sentence for its humor and whimsy. He also has great insight into human nature and paints our idiosyncrasies in a kinder light that makes the reader feel more inclined to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.
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