Welcome to 44 Scotland Street, home to some of Edinburgh's most colorful characters. There's Pat, a twenty-year-old who has recently moved into a flat with Bruce, an athletic young man with a keen awareness of his own appearance. Their neighbor, Domenica, is an eccentric and insightful widow. In the flat below are Irene and her appealing son Bertie, who is the victim of his mother's desire for him to learn the saxophone and italian-all at the tender age of five. Love triangles, a lost painting, intriguing new friends, and an encounter with a famous Scottish crime writer are just a few of the ingredients that add to this delightful and witty portrait of Edinburgh society, which was first published as a serial in The Scotsman newspaper.
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"McCall Smith's prose is light, airy, conversational and witty. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to start the next volume (a potent indicator of a good writer in my opinion). I can see that this style of book wouldn't be to everyone's taste - it is not an epic tale with multiple histories, character lines and plots. But for me, that's what makes it marvellous escapism - it is easily accessible and all the characters (even the more odious ones) are believable and likeable. If you like PG Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome, there's a good chance you'll like the 44 Scotland Street Series."
— Kindlebug (4 out of 5 stars)
" I've listened to the first two of this series on CD. Great fun and the reader is wonderful "
— Julie, 2/10/2014" Absolutely loved this book - want to buy it for myself, and am super excited that there is a second book! "
— Megan, 2/10/2014" A.M. Smith at has best! This is my second time through this book, and I still laughed out loud. "
— Jean, 2/9/2014" A fun, quick read with quirky and interesting characters. Set in Edinburgh which made me long to be there while reading it! "
— Cstrand, 1/30/2014" Interesting characters,funny,quirky stories...wished for a bit more. Overall good light reading. "
— Kim, 1/23/2014" A fun read, not for everyone though. Very interesting and likable characters. It's chapters were originally written for daily publication in Scotland, so each chapter has a little golden nugget that carries you to the next. I thought it was a fun approach to regular people and their lives. "
— Jenn, 1/21/2014" An enjoyable collection of characters and an entertaining set of stories. I look forward to reading the next one. "
— Lori, 1/20/2014" A enjoyable book club, learning all about Scotland. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Number 1 ladies (Precious is precious), but still a fun read. "
— Melissa, 1/18/2014" Fun characters, but not quite as charming as the Philosophers Club or No. 1 Ladies Detective agency series. "
— Harmony, 12/24/2013" This book was kind of hard to get into, but I enjoyed it once I settled in. "
— Teji, 12/1/2013" entertaining:) "
— Vessi, 11/19/2013" What a wonderful group of characters!! "
— Susie, 3/24/2013" Fun, but nothing spectacular. "
— Karyn, 10/30/2012" People who live at that address-arrogant Bruce, Pat, her boss Matthew, Irene and Bertie, Domenica and the supposed Peploe painting. "
— Mary, 6/3/2012" Very fun story! "
— Judy, 2/18/2012" Like other books I've read by McCall Smith I found this to be an easy read with some quirky characters. If you have a few hours to fill there would be worse ways than reading this book. "
— Cheryl, 10/20/2010" Not my favourite by this writer, but well written as usual! "
— Jenny, 3/14/2009" i love wee bertie and long for him to get the upper hand on his mum "
— Denise, 3/11/2009" Light and European and making me giggle periodically. Just what I needed! "
— Heather, 5/31/2008" What a hilarious book. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. AMS has such a good sense of human nature and all our foibles. I love Bertie! Go Bertie. "
— Shirley, 6/27/2007" I was kind of eh about the book. I love his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, but this one wasn't quite as charming. I guess he thinks that the Scottish are less functional than the Batswana. "
— Kate, 1/3/2007Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.
Robert Ian Mackenzie, Earphones Award–winning narrator, became an actor after holding a wide variety of other jobs, including everything from London policeman to water ski instructor in Greece. Since then, his acting career has encompassed straight theater, musicals, opera, films, television, voice-overs, commercials, and recorded books.