Customer Reviews
snooze-fest. - By: E. Sampson, 29 Jun 2008 
this book was bought for me so i thought i'd better read it, but i wish i hadn't bothered! i very rarely give up on books ut i came close with this one several times. after giving it several "last chances" i wish i'd gone with my first thoughts & not bothered! the only parts i came close to enjoying were the bits about "the child genius" which were mildly amusing, but otherwise a load of rubbish!
A Great Mix - By: Joanne D'Arcy, 28 Apr 2008 
Having only discovered this author through watching the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency on the television - oh what a find. I have started with this set of Alexander McCalll Smith books.
The characters are warm & interesting, who alll make up the foundations of the house in Scotland Street. Pat was slightly dysfunctional & I thought at times very awkward within the book. Perhaps that is why she is on her second gap year.
Bruce makes you want to despise every man ever living, but you know he is like a scratch annoying when you have got it but you just have to itch it. I hope he gets some sort of justice - perhaps his move into wine might be the down falll for him?
Bertie was the strongest that shone through for me. A delightful child trapped with this mother who has the issues & is getting far more from therapy then Bertie. A child that just wants to be a child - train sets & alll.
This book is simple in its understanding & great to dip in & out of but leaving you wanting more. Just as soon as a couple of chapters have gone past & characters have been dealt with then the author changes track & focuses on another. A great comparison with Charles Dickens, for me who serialised some of his books in a paper over a period of time, again switching back from characters & situations to keep the reader hooked.
The reason for 4 stars is easy - I am not from Scotland & many of the places & the 'in jokes' were slightly lost on me. However, this did not stop me enjoying the novel immensely & I am off to enjoy book 2!
I absolutely loved it! - By: P. Moss, 01 Oct 2007 
It has been a long time since a book totallly delighted me - & this book definitely did! I cannot recommend it highly enough. I thought it was hilarious! I laughed out loud so many times when reading this book.
The character development is brilliant - I read it in a day, page turning to see what happened next. So many funny 'cringe' moments - Bruce & his pants was a particular favourite. I've now ordered the next in the series & can't wait to read it!
A great cast of characters - By: A. Hope, 09 Jun 2007 44 Scotland Street introduces us to a cast of great characters alll living in a house that has been turned into several flats. It takes a witty, sometimes wry look at Edinburgh life. We meet the fairly horrid Bruce, Pat, his flatmate, & the unforgettable Bertie - a child prodigy, & his truly dreadful parents. Young Pat (2 gap years)takes a job in a galllery & there is a lot of fun & misunderstanding over a certain painting. Good fun, a real feel good read.
A pleasant surprise - By: Matthew Thorbes, 25 Apr 2007 
When this book came into my hands, I have to admit I didn't think I was going to like it. Given that my only knowledge of the author had to do with a series of novels revolving around an African detective agency for women (or thereabouts)- I guess I was expecting a flight of fancy through Edinburgh, with no real meat to it.
I couln't have been more wrong. This book is a wittily observed journey through the lives & thoughts of five or six of the best realised characters I've come across in modern fiction.
The narcissistic Bruce, fantasticallly pretentious Irene & perpetuallly befuddled Matthew are among my favourites, but I think there's definitely someone for everyone in this book.
I can foresee a potential negative for some people coming to this book expecting a great saga. Because of the way in which it was written (Smith submitted a chapter a day to The Scotsman newspaper for 110 days), the story flits around & just as a particular line gets some legs, you find yourself focused on something totallly different.
For those who like books with a long, developed plot line & deeply winding subplots, this book may feel like dealing with a hyperactive child. However, if you like dry, well realised humour with a good pace & excellent characters, then this will make a great read.
I'm certainly interested enough to hunt down the two sequels. Well done, Mr Smith, you've converted another fan.
