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trin's review against another edition
1.0
Sequel to [b: 44 Scotland Street|97875|44 Scotland Street (44 Scotland Street, #1)|Alexander McCall Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1298439814l/97875._SY75_.jpg|2086052]. This book is actually kind of amazing: it's 345 pages long, and practically nothing happens in it. Which I suppose you could claim is like real life, but since the tone of the series is supposed to be soap opera-like (in part aping [b: Tales of the City|16255|Tales of the City (Tales of the City, #1)|Armistead Maupin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1483075229l/16255._SY75_.jpg|815206]), the mixture of WACKINESS! and 'eh, idleness' makes for a bizarre combination indeed. Potential storylines about a Glasgow gangster and a nudist colony fizzle out like defective firecrackers. Then the whole thing is wrapped up with startling abruptness. What was the point? I have no idea.
bhnmt61's review against another edition
2.0
I picked this because I wanted to read a book set in contemporary Edinburgh. It was not my cup of tea but I kept going because a few of the large cast of characters were interesting to me. But by the end it had lost me. Smith comes across as a curmudgeonly old grump. It was originally published serially— chapter by chapter— and rarely does a chapter go by without him complaining about some modern newfangled idea. It was kind of charming at first but by the end it was tedious. Reading other reviews, it seems that he comes across as the wise old grandfatherly type to most readers, but I found it annoyingly preachy. Not my thing, although I’m still looking forward to visiting Edinburgh!
cyngapore's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
judenoseinabook's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Very enjoyable cosy gossipy read. This is meant as a compliment. It is good to read about some normal (relatively) people and goings on. Although many of them are not quite as normal.as they would like one to think whe you know them better.
The book is written in shortish chapters which lead one on quickly to find out what happens next to another character. Many of the people are quite loveable, Bertie for example, others obnoxious, ie Bruce. But all written about with humour and affection.
The book is written in shortish chapters which lead one on quickly to find out what happens next to another character. Many of the people are quite loveable, Bertie for example, others obnoxious, ie Bruce. But all written about with humour and affection.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Robert Ian MacKenzie
Book two in the “44 Scotland Street” series about the residents of a particular apartment building in Edinburgh. This began as a serialized novel for The Scotsman newspaper and became so popular that the daily episodes were compiled into the original novel, which left many of the stories unfinished. Readers demanded more, and Smith was more than happy to comply.
Bertie is now in kindergarten, forced to wear pink – or “crushed strawberry” – overalls when he’d rather dress like the other boys in his class. Bruce is contemplating a new career as a wine merchant, but he’s just as clueless about what real work entails as he was in the first book. Pat is going to Edinburgh University and entering a new relationship. Matthew’s gallery is doing splendidly, but he’s worried about his father (and his father’s new girlfriend). Angus. his dog Cyril, Domenica, Dr Fairbairn and a host of other characters round out the cast and provide chuckles and/or tender moments throughout.
The novel is a sort of ensemble piece, with chapters alternating among the characters, following Pat for a few segments, then Bertie, then Bruce, etc. It’s not great literature but it is great fun to read. Reminds me of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series.
Robert Ian MacKenzie does a fine job narrating the audiobook. He has a gift for voices, making it easy to follow the many characters. I could listen to his Scottish brogue all day.
Book two in the “44 Scotland Street” series about the residents of a particular apartment building in Edinburgh. This began as a serialized novel for The Scotsman newspaper and became so popular that the daily episodes were compiled into the original novel, which left many of the stories unfinished. Readers demanded more, and Smith was more than happy to comply.
Bertie is now in kindergarten, forced to wear pink – or “crushed strawberry” – overalls when he’d rather dress like the other boys in his class. Bruce is contemplating a new career as a wine merchant, but he’s just as clueless about what real work entails as he was in the first book. Pat is going to Edinburgh University and entering a new relationship. Matthew’s gallery is doing splendidly, but he’s worried about his father (and his father’s new girlfriend). Angus. his dog Cyril, Domenica, Dr Fairbairn and a host of other characters round out the cast and provide chuckles and/or tender moments throughout.
The novel is a sort of ensemble piece, with chapters alternating among the characters, following Pat for a few segments, then Bertie, then Bruce, etc. It’s not great literature but it is great fun to read. Reminds me of Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series.
Robert Ian MacKenzie does a fine job narrating the audiobook. He has a gift for voices, making it easy to follow the many characters. I could listen to his Scottish brogue all day.
common_household_mom's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
I still liked most of the characters, but I liked the stories in the first book a lot more. Found myself getting bored with some of the storylines.
danileighta's review against another edition
3.0
This sequel was more highly rated than the first (at least on Goodreads), but I have to say I enjoyed the first in the series much more. I still cared about all the same characters and the situations they found themselves in were interesting and rambling, as a good British novel should be, but there was something about the book that made me feel McCall Smith was thinking about something else while he wrote it.
No matter, I'm diving into the 3rd in the series with just as much excitement as the others.
No matter, I'm diving into the 3rd in the series with just as much excitement as the others.
laila4343's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. Eager to read the others in the series. These books are just charming.