Espresso Tales: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (2)
by Alexander McCall Smith
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Book Reviews of Espresso Tales: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (2)
Book Review: Another Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second in a series, and if you liked the first, you'll like this one. As with 44 Scotland Street, I found myself laughing out loud in places. The stories are quirky and funny and full of Alexander McCall Smith's usual wise (and never cliche) observations about humanity. In a few places, you get the feeling that the author is pontificating through the voice of one character, Domenica, but Alexander/Domenica are so on target, one doesn't mind. Bertie, the victim of an overbearing and psychologically-confused mother, gets more play in this series (and a bit of justice, finally) as does Ramsey Dunbarton, whose "memoirs" occupy half-a-dozen chapters. Dunbarton manages to be the most unintentionally hilarious character I've ever encountered in a book. You'd never want to be seated next to him at a dinner party, but from the safe perspective of literature, he's a hoot.
Espresso Tales is an apt title, because I've found this series as addictive as caffeine. One of the few books I've run out and purchased the day it hit the stores.
And it was worth the trip.
Book Review: Perfect sequel to 44 Scotland Street
Summary: 5 Stars
Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith is the type of book that restores your faith in literature. For everyone who says that good books aren't being written anymore, send them to Smith, because everything he writes is wonderful. Smith returns us to 44 Scotland Street to update us on the goings-ons of its denizens. It took me a couple of chapters to remember who was who and slide back into the rhythms of their lives, but once I was there, it was nearly impossible to leave. Poor Bertie is back with his horrible mother Irene. Bruce has returned with his clove hairgel. Just about everyone has returned, except the pair who hung around Big Lou's. Smith has several surprises in store for his characters, and I don't want to give any of them away. The writing is smooth and seamless as he moves from character to character. If only they made movies like this, my faith would be restored in the movie industry!Book Review: Maybe his best yet
Summary: 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed Espresso Tales, Alexander McCall Smith's followup to 44 Scotland Street...and I can't wait to read the next book in the series, which he is now writing.
I thought 44 Scotland Street was weakened a little by the sheer number of characters, but here the focus seemed tighter. We get to reunite with Bertie, the boy genius who just wants to be a regular kid; Bruce, the indefatigable narcissist; Pat, the understated gallery worker/college student; Matthew, who has now made a profit at the gallery, and has his gentle eye on Pat; Domenica, the sharp-tongued elderly woman who may be a porteparole for McCall Smith himself; and Angus, the eccentric painter whose dog, Cyril, gets a charming chapter of his own.
Everything that happened to these characters just seemed right, and it was such an enjoyable ride.
Book Review: Chuckles on every page
Summary: 5 Stars
Mccall Smith is truly amazing. He has at least four book series going and all contain strikingly original and interesting characters. I happened to like the "Espresso Tales" sequel to "44 Scotland Street" somewhat better than the original. It's got more piquancy and snap and its ironies are sharper and often funnier. The resolutions of Bernie the Kid's painful problems with his yuppie mother and his much hated psychologist are delicious, but there are a host of other comeuppances that Mccall Smith hilariously tosses in here that are wonderful. This is a great airplane read--which is appropriate, since it is said that the author often creates most of these short novels on transatlantic flights of his own.Book Review: Delightful
Summary: 5 Stars
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.