Espresso Tales: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (2) by Alexander McCall Smith Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Espresso Tales: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (2)
Book Review: Perfect sequel to 44 Scotland Street
Summary: 5 Stars
Espresso Tales by Alexander McCall Smith is the type of book that restores your faith in literature. For everyone who says that good books aren't being written anymore, send them to Smith, because everything he writes is wonderful. Smith returns us to 44 Scotland Street to update us on the goings-ons of its denizens. It took me a couple of chapters to remember who was who and slide back into the rhythms of their lives, but once I was there, it was nearly impossible to leave. Poor Bertie is back with his horrible mother Irene. Bruce has returned with his clove hairgel. Just about everyone has returned, except the pair who hung around Big Lou's. Smith has several surprises in store for his characters, and I don't want to give any of them away. The writing is smooth and seamless as he moves from character to character. If only they made movies like this, my faith would be restored in the movie industry!Book Review: Savory
Summary: 5 Stars
I actually had to pace myself, because I didn't want to finish to quickly and leave these wonderful characters of 44 Scotland Street. So many characters are gems, but the story that seems to hold the most interest is poor young Bertie and his overbearing monster of a mother. Can't wait for the third book this fall, and the knowledge that we'll luckily get to be with these interesting and offbeat inhabitants for a bit longer.Book Review: Smith does it again
Summary: 5 Stars
Alexander McCall Smith has a knack for capturing characters, breathing life into them and making you want to know more about them. The only complaint I could have is that you want more..but then again even if the book was 1000 pages, I would still want more. I can't wait until the next volume to see what happens to Pat, Bertie, Irene, Domenica, Big Lou and yes, even Bruce.Book Review: Sublime improvisation - perhaps more classical than jazz!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the second of the Scotland Street serial which has run daily in the Edinburgh newspaper, The Scotsman, and it betrays its origins more obviously than the first of the series (44 Scotland Street). 44 Scotland forms a near-miraculous whole - astonishing in a kind of writing which is very much like improvisation in that one cannot possibly know at the beginning how, or if, the ending will round out satisfactorily. I want to revise my earlier opinion to say that as I've reflected on Espresso Tales, it also has many threads which are tied into a satisfactory conclusion, and one in particular which MUST be resolved in Love Over Scotland! It does have more "slow spots" than 44 (notably the 8 mercifully brief Ramsey Dunbarton sections, which dragged a bit for me). But that is a small matter, all things considered.
Amazing things happen! Bertie escapes (but not in the chapter so titled)! Stuart asserts himself! Pat makes several important decisions. Bruce...is nearly wiped out but Lands On His Feet Again, as Bruce is wont to do. Matthew grows up rather a lot! Cyril the dog Bites An Important Ankle (To Rounds of Applause)! Big Lou stands up to a charming intellectual snob, and gets an important letter. I feel like I am writing the weekly soap opera summary!
But these books rise far above that level. On the first read, they are so entertaining that one does not always notice the deeper layers that emerge on re-reading.
For example, without introducing a spoiler, I can say that Big Lou's moral philosophizing with Matthew and Angus offers important insight into Matthew's relationship with his dad, and ultimately with his dad's girlfriend Janis. Matthew's change in his view of Janis is an important part of his growing up - but he still has further to go, and we shall see in Love Over Scotland how his suspicions about "gold-digging women" turn out to affect his own life.
If you enjoyed 44 Scotland, you must read this one...even though improvisations are not always perfect, they are like juggling, and it's amazing how many of the balls are caught in this continuing McCall Smith act. He wanted to stop after this one, but Edinburgh dwellers persuaded him to continue for at least one more book. I can't wait! As I think more deeply about this book as a whole, and the connections beneath the surface, I must give it 5 stars, despite my earlier reservations. (now why can't I change that from the Edit page? gr)
Book Review: This Series Rivals No. 1 Ladies'
Summary: 5 Stars
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.