Heavenly Date & Other Flirtations

Stories about dating--variously tragic, depressing, baffling, other-worldly--one character has a date with an angel followed by a sort of immaculate conception. Absurd--a woman has a date with an Australian who first bores her by droning on about fishing and then gets eaten by a crocodile while she looks on horrified but helpless. Further horror ensues when she is accused of his murder, though all's well in the end. Uproarious--A psychiatrist (probably a cohort of Von Igelfeld of Portuguese Irregular Verbs)details three case studies of psychosis brought on by dating. Overall, though, a bit more heavy than expected from this author.

Alexander McCall Smith has shown his breadth of talent in crafting characters as different as Precious Ramotswe and Isabel Dalhousie. Here he shows a different, darker side of himself, and some of the short stories are better than others.

Some -- such as the sweet albeit far-fetched "Wonderful Date" and the darker, more introspective "Bulawayo" -- are wonderful slices of life. Others, such as "Calwarra" and "Fat Date," are laughably predictable. "Far North" and "Maternal Instinct," while painful, are well done. But some of the short stories are simply unbelievable or go on far too long.

It's unfair to expect Dr. Smith to reproduce his Botswana or Scotland stories; however, I do wish these stories were less uneven.

One can always depend on A. McCall Smith for a wonderful read. This collection of short stories is no exception. These insightful and well-written cameos say so much about human nature, they are full of wisdom, humanity, and humor. At the end of each story I was tempted to say either "that's how it is..." or "what now?...", as the author makes you reflect on life and sometimes imagine your own endings.

Rightly compared to Roald Dahl's "adult stories," this collection contains some good writing, but a bit darker than Smith's other series.

This was my first attempt at an audiobook. I drive ~ 9-10 hours a week, and usually listen to the radio, but I figured that I might actually be able to use that time to get the odd book in. Started with this one as it is a series of short stories over 6 CDs - so there's the opportunity to stop at regular intervals. A series of dates and relationships are explored, some more successful that others. An interesting bunch, with a range of characters, some more likable than others. I'll certainly give this author another go and will try another audiobook as well.

None of these stories grabbed me. I found them dreary and uninspiring. The only story for which I felt anything other than antipathy and/or disappointment at the end was I think called 'Far North', but even that was just ok.

The actual quality of writing is, as one would expect, not at all bad, but the plotting... I don't know. I've come to accept and even enjoy the lack of traditional plot arc in McCall Smith's Philosopher's Club series, but he doesn't get away with it in short story form in my opinion.

Some mention similarities with Dahl's Tales of the Unexpected. Well, I found that collection boring, with endings that were entirely predictable, so perhaps the comparison is apt.

As much as I have enjoyed everything else that I have read by Alexander McCall Smith, I really did not enjoy this book. The subject matter is disturbing – including child prostitution – and the characters are unlikable. I do not recommend this book.