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coops456's review against another edition
3.0
I sometimes feel that Smith doesn't like the 21st century much. There's a lot of sniping - more than usual in this series - at what is often called political correctness but which those of us in minority groups call equality and justice.
But I keep reading cos I enjoy the characters, Bertie foremost.
In this instalment, Bertie's dad Stuart finally revolts against his terrible marriage. Not on Bertie's behalf, sadly.
But I keep reading cos I enjoy the characters, Bertie foremost.
In this instalment, Bertie's dad Stuart finally revolts against his terrible marriage. Not on Bertie's behalf, sadly.
louisek's review against another edition
4.25
Love this series so much and it always feels like returning to old friends with each installment. I always think tho that I could defo read just a story about the Pollock family as Bertie is the only one I care about! Also loved that there was no Pat in this - that's always a win!
kingfan30's review against another edition
4.0
I do enjoy this series, I’ve said it before but it is like catching up with friends. Surprisingly I felt sorry for Bruce, although after his experience with his Aussie girlfriend, I wonder if he will change his ways. I still don’t really get the nudist society but thankfully they didn’t appear much. I love Nicolas hope for her son to break free, a as a result hopefully get a better life for Bertie, although I do understand why the story went the way it did. I Lenten learnt a new word - defenestration !! Not sure when I will ever use it though. Can’t wait to get onto the next in the series.
bgg616's review against another edition
5.0
I love Bertie and I love the setting. In this volume McCall Smith describes Edinburgh in such detail, it was a vicarious revisit for me. It's a city I really love except in July and August when it is overwhelmed with tourists. Nonetheless, it is a city chock full of history and interesting people.
McCall Smith ends every Bertie book with the reader questioning "what's next"? I can only say his mother Irene continues to be extremely unlikeable and even her family is questioning what life would be like without her. Stuart finally figures out she is kind of a Stalinist in her pronouncements about everything and everybody. There is a young woman studying for a PhD in 20th century Scottish poetry. Being a lover of poetry I vowed to read a lot more Scottish poetry. For me, this was the best Bertie yet! I needed something light, and this delivered.
McCall Smith ends every Bertie book with the reader questioning "what's next"? I can only say his mother Irene continues to be extremely unlikeable and even her family is questioning what life would be like without her. Stuart finally figures out she is kind of a Stalinist in her pronouncements about everything and everybody. There is a young woman studying for a PhD in 20th century Scottish poetry. Being a lover of poetry I vowed to read a lot more Scottish poetry. For me, this was the best Bertie yet! I needed something light, and this delivered.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘Some things are really important.’
Poor Bertie. The awful Irene is back from the Middle East, Olive still thinks she’s engaged to him and no longer can he watch cartoons with his grandmother, Nicola. Irene is not happy with Stuart (how dare he undermine her parenting!) and Ulysses still vomits whenever Irene picks him up.
There’s never a dull moment at 44 Scotland Street. Bruce has fallen in love with an Australian, Big Lou wants to adopt Finlay and Angus ends up defenestrated! But there’s a lot more to the story than this …
Somehow, I missed reading this book when it was first published. Somehow, I went straight from Book 10 to Book 12, and I already have Book 13 lined up. When my Scots-born neighbour gave me the first books in this series, I had little idea how much I would come to love them. I’d enjoyed The Portugese Irregular Verbs series, but for some reason I’d never really clicked with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. And I’ve yet to pick up any Isabel Dalhousie.
A lovely whimsical series best read in order.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Poor Bertie. The awful Irene is back from the Middle East, Olive still thinks she’s engaged to him and no longer can he watch cartoons with his grandmother, Nicola. Irene is not happy with Stuart (how dare he undermine her parenting!) and Ulysses still vomits whenever Irene picks him up.
There’s never a dull moment at 44 Scotland Street. Bruce has fallen in love with an Australian, Big Lou wants to adopt Finlay and Angus ends up defenestrated! But there’s a lot more to the story than this …
Somehow, I missed reading this book when it was first published. Somehow, I went straight from Book 10 to Book 12, and I already have Book 13 lined up. When my Scots-born neighbour gave me the first books in this series, I had little idea how much I would come to love them. I’d enjoyed The Portugese Irregular Verbs series, but for some reason I’d never really clicked with the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. And I’ve yet to pick up any Isabel Dalhousie.
A lovely whimsical series best read in order.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
sawyerbell's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. I think this series needs to be laid to rest now. It's really running out of dramatic steam.
deanjean_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy Smith's books very much, but Stuart is starting to feel like a metaphorical piñata at this point.
truffe's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75