Customer Reviews:
 Brilliant Story Telling March 28, 2008
This was by far my favorite of the Scotland Street series. The stories were witty, entertaining and just plain enjoyable to read. While I still cannot help but feel sorry for Bertie I was happy to see him enjoy some part of his childhood with his excursion to Paris, sans Irene, his overbearing mother. I loved the direction Matthew and Pat were headed and that Big Lou will still be around to serve up more coffee and advise. Domenica had a rather interesting anthropological study on her hands in the Malacca Straights and Angus, in her absence, had an unfortunate incident occur when Cyril, his beloved dog, was snatched.
All this and more in the ever entertaining world of those who reside on Scotland Street. A definite read for McCall Smith fans.
 Another Great Serial by McCall Smith March 25, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
To an urban American, the McCall Smith characters of the "44 Scotland Street" - like "The Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" - resound in familiarity and honesty, rarely found characteristics in my home town. And like "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency", the characters within these pages infectiously become more and more precious as the serial writer's presentation increases.
The most honest, and most poignant character, is 6-year old Bertie whose constant battles with mother Irene and father Stuart pinnacle when he goes to the police station and tells the police about his parents' business engagement with Lard O'Connor (the Tony Soprano of Scotland). It is all so simple, a carryover from the second novel. But, things in Edinburgh get darker.
Anthropologist Domenica actually goes out to see her Malaysian pirates, and discovers that they are scamming dolts who betray the pirate motto of lore. Even her pirate guide scams her by intruding and interfering with her work, until she bags him near the book's end.
Angus, the artist whose dog Cyril is everyone's friend, also is scammed by a Scot when his beloved mutt is dognapped while he is grocery shopping. Thankfully Cyril returns, but only after walking the streets of Edinburgh with a broken heart and an aching jaw, an injury derived from the dognapper's unsolicited swift kick.
But, Scotland Street's inhabitants - on the whole - are good people. "She has seen candour and honesty and utter transparency. But you had to be a child to be like that today, because all about us was the most pervasive cynicism that eroded everything with its superficiality and its sneers."
Pat, the college student, who encounters hard times with yet another roommate from hell, makes Matthew ask a most poignant question about bathroom etiquette when sharing a one-bathroom flat: "You can assume that if there's somebody in there, then the door will be locked." But, many do not lock doors. And intrusion occurs. So we must ask: "But then why does the person who opens the door feel bad about it?"
Pat remains mainly honest and without ethical fault. Her boss, Matthew, was equally pure, but an encounter with Lard for the benefit of friend Lou may have delivered him "to the dark side" - something that book 4 of this series will obviously focus upon.
Angus continues to mope while best friend Domenica engages in her months-upon-moths research, and tries to amuse her friend and flat watcher, Antonia, but all to no avail. Maybe book 4 will clear this up as well. And Pat seems to need to clear things up (or whatever) with Matthew in book 4 as well.
So goes McCall Smith, again leading the readers to anticipate more from the eccentric but lovable characters of 44 Scotland Street and their friends. After reading so many of his serial novels, I can only ask "How does he do it?" McCall Smith has proven great breadth in his serial writing. Scotland's J.K. Rowling and Alexander McCall Smith are unquestionably two of the premier serial writers of the past decade.
Love Over Scotland March 21, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful book full of tales of love shown from the point of view of an entire society, limited to Glasgow, Scotland. The characters are varied, interesting and endearing as they stumble through life. The writing is simple yet profound.
Good Story March 20, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
"44 Scotland Street" is a good story told well. This is relatively light reading, but it is worthwhile nonetheless.
It is easy to get bogged down in the book, since it contains neither mystery nor violence. But Mr. McCall Smith writes quite well and the story is enjoyable.
A good light read March 15, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
McCall Smith's books are an antidote to unhappiness at the state of the world. Also a lovely visit to Edinburgh.
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