Scan barcode
debandleo's review against another edition
3.0
There were some entertaining moments in this installment of the series, but not my favorite of AMcCS.
soniapage's review against another edition
3.0
Well, the ending is pretty unbelievable, but the book was a fun read nonetheless. This author always manages to incorporate into his books the weird things that are going on in the real world. And, his portrayal of the world of academia is hilarious.
rebcamuse's review against another edition
4.0
The characters are so entertaining that the implausible and ridiculous plot seems perfectly appropriate!
slim_oysterhiatus's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I happened upon this series by chance and I have no idea how I haven't found it earlier. A witty attack of academia in an Wodehousian style. The pompous Professor Moritz-Maria von Ingelfeld clumsily deals with life outside of his narrow field of expertise to the amusement of the reader.
aimeesbookishlife's review against another edition
2.0
Not as funny as the first two, and the Colombia storyline was over-the-top and completely unbelievable. A bit of a lacklustre ending to the series.
mthorley23's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book better than Portugese Irregular Verbs. Again, I think if I had read it I would have liked it better than listening to the audiobook. It is quirky and the situations, particularly in Colombia, are very funny.
ebodi8pg's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sve100's review against another edition
4.0
Чудесен е, особено за път. И за разлика от прехваления Бакман пише добре.
skyring's review against another edition
4.0
I have enjoyed it thoroughly, listening to the sometimes incomprehensible, sometimes alarming adventures of the good Professor.
McCall Smith has a delightful way of writing. His gentle humour, his philosophical reflections, above all, his insights into the everyday minor moral dilemmas of ordinary people, are a constant joy. Shakespeare or Austen are worthy comparisons here - he sees to the heart of humanity in all his characters. Even when he does not spell out their motivations and actions, we can make our own guesses.
I love the humour. So dry and gentle, sometimes just the choice of words, it is not so much the laugh-out-loud type, but the sort that brings forth a sigh of happiness in the reader.
Professor von Igelfeld, the celebrated author of the 1 200 page Portugese Irregular Verbs, has a series of adventures, both at home and abroad. In the first half of the book, friction at home is averted by a trip to Cambridge, where he finds the English puzzling and humourless. His proposed solution to the bathroom problem is masterful and utterly unworkable, his musings on the location of the missing skull penetrating, his contribution to the tears of the Master a delight.
But it is in the second half of the book, after another awkward situation is unexpectedly resolved, that events take increasingly surprising turns. He returns home in a surprising fashion, and his chief academic rival finds himself the recipient of a high Colombian honour - but is it the First Class medal, or merely the Third Class ribbon?
McCall Smith has a delightful way of writing. His gentle humour, his philosophical reflections, above all, his insights into the everyday minor moral dilemmas of ordinary people, are a constant joy. Shakespeare or Austen are worthy comparisons here - he sees to the heart of humanity in all his characters. Even when he does not spell out their motivations and actions, we can make our own guesses.
I love the humour. So dry and gentle, sometimes just the choice of words, it is not so much the laugh-out-loud type, but the sort that brings forth a sigh of happiness in the reader.
Professor von Igelfeld, the celebrated author of the 1 200 page Portugese Irregular Verbs, has a series of adventures, both at home and abroad. In the first half of the book, friction at home is averted by a trip to Cambridge, where he finds the English puzzling and humourless. His proposed solution to the bathroom problem is masterful and utterly unworkable, his musings on the location of the missing skull penetrating, his contribution to the tears of the Master a delight.
But it is in the second half of the book, after another awkward situation is unexpectedly resolved, that events take increasingly surprising turns. He returns home in a surprising fashion, and his chief academic rival finds himself the recipient of a high Colombian honour - but is it the First Class medal, or merely the Third Class ribbon?
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
Fun fun fun reading. Short too! You can read in a day. This is #3 in the series