44 Scotland Street

This is a light, entertaining story about a narcissist, a conflicted flatmate, and a serially unsuccessful gallery owner. There is no great plot here, but the characters are interesting. What I enjoyed most was Googling the artists, poets, and writers I was not familiar with. This is the first book in a series, and it left enough unsaid to make me want to read the next book. Especially, I need to find out about Cyril, the dog with the gold tooth. ( )

I've read all of Alexander McCall Smith's #1 Ladies Detective Agency books, but have never ventured into his novels set in Scotland, so when I was offered an audio book of the first of his Scotland Street series, I jumped at it. And I was not disappointed.

The interconnected stories of the inhabitants of a block of flats in Edinburgh is charming and heartwarming and, at times laugh out loud funny. I especially like the precocious little boy, Bertie, and his insufferable and predictable liberal parents.

I'll certainly be dipping into the other novels in this series. They are perfect for chilly winter days with a nice hot cup of tea. ( )

If I didn't know who wrote this book I would never guess it is the same author of the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. In general, the series are very different, worlds apart. But... in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency the reader cannot help but see that kindness, respect, thoughtfulness and love are emphasized and given full rein over and over.

In 44 Scotland Street Smith describes in great detail many, many very different characters, and their feelings, thoughts, hopes, expectations, and relationships while living mostly mundane lives.This insightful book is intensely wistful, hugely funny, and hysterical. But it too like its predecessor series, perhaps less obviously, allows a few of of the main characters to display and advance socially good values of common sense, kindness, courtesy, friendliness, sympathy, helpfulness and more.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Just an absolute joy to read. Plotless, albeit full of stories of the mundane, yet fascinating lives of Edinburgh’s people. I can’t wait to keep reading this series. ( )

entirely un-philosophical...yet completely charming, funny, and more than a little satirical. The short, yet complete, chapters make the book well-paced, making this the perfect book for a rainy Saturday or ride on the train. ( )