Reviews

At the Reunion Buffet by Alexander McCall Smith

tess_reading's review against another edition

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reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

tatterededges's review against another edition

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4.0

I listened to this as an audiobook. The narrators NZ accent was about the worst I've ever heard hahaha apart from that it was an enjoyable short story.

rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition

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4.0

This story was short but sweet. Isabelle is hosting a school reunion dinner and is reflecting on the past and present. She has to acknowledge that there may be people from her past she just does not like. And contemplate how people can change with time (or maybe not) with many thoughts of lingering hatred and forgiveness. I love Isabelle's rambling thought and kind personality.

wanderaven's review against another edition

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3.0

Being poised to read the new full-length novel in The Sunday Philosophy Club series, I caught up with the recent single (just a brief short story) from the series, At the Reunion Buffet.

Isabel is hosting the first night of a weekend of school-reunion get togethers, despite lacking any interest whatsoever in doing so. Her co-organizer, who seems to have a crush on her (also seemingly without reason for doing so) reveals that many people coming to the reunion are anxious about running into a particular attendant, one they all say bullied them in school. Isabel is determined that everyone in attendance should be comfortable (including the bully) so she sets forth to attempt to resolve everyone's concerns.

This short was uneven for me. On one hand, I was impressed by how well McCall Smith manages to rekindle the warm and homey Edinburgh home, making a brief insight into Isabel's world a comfy return for fans but equally as understandable for others. On the other hand, if you're a Dalhousie fan, you're used to a mystery to carry you through the philosophical tangents and moral dilemmas. The "mystery" here seemed tacked on to the primary concerns and is never resolved - the lack for doing so is attributed to well, it doesn't really matter anyway.

angesquires's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

cdbellomy's review

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

rebeccasreadingrambles's review

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4.0

This story was short but sweet. Isabelle is hosting a school reunion dinner and is reflecting on the past and present. She has to acknowledge that there may be people from her past she just does not like. And contemplate how people can change with time (or maybe not) with many thoughts of lingering hatred and forgiveness. I love Isabelle's rambling thought and kind personality.

linda_edwards's review against another edition

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3.0

A nice little story to keep us going until the next book in the series comes out. The only thing about these short stories in that they are way too short and I would prefer that they were included in the actual books.

thesgtrekkiereads's review

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3.0

this is the least fave of my amc series but still a decent enough read.
ending.. I am not a fan of those could be this or that endings..

alitza724's review

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2.0

I was really enjoying this story, but it ended so abruptly that I thought there was something wrong with my digital copy. I would have given it more stars if the book hadn't ended in the middle of a conversation. Disappointing.