44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith (2005, Paperback)

I like the book its funny and will remind you of people who you know, the corny, the goofy, the snobbish and finally maybe even yourselves. Well written and did I say funny?

McCall Smith is a wonderful writer, the seller offered a very good price. I purchased the book for a very good friend that was laid-up with a "knee replacement."

This book is a real treat for McCall Smith fans. The humor is great and I am sure that some of the humor is lost on the non-Scotish person (like myself). It is a delightful book - great for plane ride.

I wish I'd read this book first but I actually read the second book, Espresso Tales, first. Anyway, 44 Scotland Street was written on a dare, when the author was musing (with Amy Tan, Armisted Maupin and others ) about why newspapers didn't write serialized stories anywmore. Poof! His wish was granted and he found himself writing short bits of people's lives - thank goodness, he stuck with the SAME people so there is consistency.
Each person in the book is fascinating and, beause I assume there were space constrictions in the newspaper, he keeps each segment short, but you want to KEEP reading to find out what happens next (readers in the newspaper must have been kept in suspense).
Anyway, there is Pat (on her second "gap" year) Bruce, Matthew and my PARTICULAR favorite, little Bertie, a precocious young boy trying to make sense of what can often seem to be a very confusing world, especially with a mother like his! I laughed aloud at some of his questions and clucked disapprovingly at some of his mother's reactions to her son - she simply doesn't understand young boys.
There is so much of the large and small dramas that make up ordinary life in this book and Smith's great strength is his ability to make readers CARE about each person, foibles and all.
I hear there is a 3rd book coming out. I'll be waiting eagerly!