Espresso Tales: 44 Scotland Street Series (2)

I love everything about this book. I couldn't put it down. I had to find out where the characters were going nexzt. Very cleverly written.

Mccall Smith is truly amazing. He has at least four book series going and all contain strikingly original and interesting characters. I happened to like the "Espresso Tales" sequel to "44 Scotland Street" somewhat better than the original. It's got more piquancy and snap and its ironies are sharper and often funnier. The resolutions of Bernie the Kid's painful problems with his yuppie mother and his much hated psychologist are delicious, but there are a host of other comeuppances that Mccall Smith hilariously tosses in here that are wonderful. This is a great airplane read--which is appropriate, since it is said that the author often creates most of these short novels on transatlantic flights of his own.

Once again, McCall Smith takes us to visit with the 44 Scotland Street neighborhood. This time, we learn much more about Bertie - the extremely precocious 6-year old - and his conflicts with his incredibly clingy mother Irene. And, we actually hear his father speak up and do something other than read the newspaper. The meetings with Bertie's psychiatrist are again entertaining as is the doctor's attempt to reach catharsis with his most famous patient. And, we hear Domenica speak about globalization. Matthew shows us he can do something right, and then we meet his father and his potential nuptial mate. Cyrus' dog bites the people who deserve it. Cyrus gives a great party at the end. Pat, after two gap years, decides to attend university. Bruce as a failed person fails in business - or does he? And more. But, McCall Smith tells us he wrote this book to find closure from the previous book "44 Scotland Street." Here he failed. And, failed miserably. And, thank our lucky stars he is such a failure. This group of eccentrics is fast making books which rival his beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. At the end, we ask for more. What is going to happen to Domenica in her quest to seek pirates? Or, what will happen to Bruce in London? Or, how is Pat going to handle her first year at university after not one, but two, gap years? And, will Matthew accept his father's new bride, if there is to even be one? If you are thinking of reading this book, do so. But, I highly recommend that you first read "44 Scotland Street" so as to acquaint yourself to the characters and their surroundings.

I have read few books that are so well written. This book is enjoyable for the story line and the characters, but almost more enjoyable for McCall Smith's masterful writing. I savor every sentence for its humor and whimsy. He also has great insight into human nature and paints our idiosyncrasies in a kinder light that makes the reader feel more inclined to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.

I thoroughly enjoyed Espresso Tales, Alexander McCall Smith's followup to 44 Scotland Street...and I can't wait to read the next book in the series, which he is now writing. I thought 44 Scotland Street was weakened a little by the sheer number of characters, but here the focus seemed tighter. We get to reunite with Bertie, the boy genius who just wants to be a regular kid; Bruce, the indefatigable narcissist; Pat, the understated gallery worker/college student; Matthew, who has now made a profit at the gallery, and has his gentle eye on Pat; Domenica, the sharp-tongued elderly woman who may be a porteparole for McCall Smith himself; and Angus, the eccentric painter whose dog, Cyril, gets a charming chapter of his own. Everything that happened to these characters just seemed right, and it was such an enjoyable ride.

This is the second in a series, and if you liked the first, you'll like this one. As with 44 Scotland Street, I found myself laughing out loud in places. The stories are quirky and funny and full of Alexander McCall Smith's usual wise (and never cliche) observations about humanity. In a few places, you get the feeling that the author is pontificating through the voice of one character, Domenica, but Alexander/Domenica are so on target, one doesn't mind. Bertie, the victim of an overbearing and psychologically-confused mother, gets more play in this series (and a bit of justice, finally) as does Ramsey Dunbarton, whose "memoirs" occupy half-a-dozen chapters. Dunbarton manages to be the most unintentionally hilarious character I've ever encountered in a book. You'd never want to be seated next to him at a dinner party, but from the safe perspective of literature, he's a hoot. Espresso Tales is an apt title, because I've found this series as addictive as caffeine. One of the few books I've run out and purchased the day it hit the stores. And it was worth the trip.