http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2 See the latest posts on the GreenMetropolis.com Forum about 44 Scotland Street in Contemporary Fiction en-gb Copyright 2010 GreenMetropolis.com Wed, May 22 2013 11:16:18 GMT 20 Finding this book a little dull! http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#2 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#2 Thu, Oct 23 2008 16:08:55 GMT I thought it started off well, with a few funny moments, but then nothing really happens! Not as good as the 2 1/2 pillars, which is the 3 von Igelfeld novels - very funny and very 'Alexander Mcall Smith' humour! http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#4 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#4 Thu, Oct 23 2008 16:29:18 GMT I have never read any of Alexander McCall Smith but I seen his drama on BBC1 'Ladies No1 Detective agency' and it was brilliant, I wouldn't mind reading that book. I heard they are going to make it into a series too. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#5 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#5 Thu, Oct 23 2008 16:42:16 GMT I am a fan of the Scotland Street novels. I can understand why others might find them dull. Not a lot happens, it's all about the characters. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#103 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#103 Sat, Oct 25 2008 23:44:10 GMT I only read the first one and was a little disappointed by it. However, I did go on to read the first one in the Ladies' Detective Agency series and enjoyed it a whole lot. I like McCall Smith's style of writing, but I didn't like the short-story style of 44 Scotland Street so much. I know it started out as a serial in a newspaper and perhaps it worked better that way rather than being read all in one go. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#600 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#600 Tue, Nov 11 2008 14:58:22 GMT Oh dear - I have that one on my shelf to read! I really like the Ladies detective agency (currently reading the 5th one after a bit of a break from them). Does anybody know what number the series is up to now? I have the 6th on the shelf ready but not sure how many others there are. I also enjoyed the Sunday Philosophy club - but not as much as LDA. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#1230 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#1230 Fri, Dec 05 2008 12:42:42 GMT I love the Scotland Street and Sunday Philosopher Club series, they are like putting on bedsocks and eating hot crumpets - all warm and restful! The Scotland Street books are great for commuting as they have short paragraphs and I agree its all about the people not action. They have made me want to visit Edinburgh to find characters like these. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#1299 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#1299 Mon, Dec 08 2008 09:07:29 GMT It's interesting to read your comments - I actually prefer the Scotland Street and Philosophy club novels to the LDA ones. Anyone else agree? http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15325 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15325 Fri, Jul 17 2009 18:07:37 GMT I just love everything he writes and don't think I could pick a favourite. I did enjoy the on-line book Corduroy Mansions which was serialised in the on-line telegraph at the end of 2008 and start of 2009. I agree with 68979 - his writing is just so comforting, I'd go for tea with my crumpets rather than bedsocks, but I know exactly what you mean! http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15347 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15347 Fri, Jul 17 2009 21:20:36 GMT His characters in Scotland Street just don't engage me. They are a bit 2 dimensional. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15389 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15389 Sat, Jul 18 2009 16:43:19 GMT They are VERY Edinburgh bourgeoisie. Believe me, he has the Edinburgh middle classes down to a tee. Remember, this is the city which believes that "sex" are what coal is delivered in... http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15495 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#15495 Mon, Jul 20 2009 16:15:21 GMT I get something different from each of his series and have great admiration for his ability to create characters from such diverse backgrounds so convincingly. I find them universally calming and a pleasant, short step out of the hectic nature of life these days. They also make great gifts for those difficult elderly relatives...! http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#16380 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#16380 Mon, Aug 03 2009 13:44:01 GMT mmmm I must have missed something when I tried to read Sunday Philosophy Club - I just found Isabel Dalhousie iritating! And I solved the murder before I got halfway through - I got fed up with her chasing red herrings! http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#22931 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#22931 Thu, Nov 12 2009 17:35:29 GMT For those who like The Ladies' Detective Agency, "Baking Cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Parkin is apparently very similar. I've not read LDA but I've just read Baking Cakes in Kigale, which was an enjoyable read. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23422 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23422 Fri, Nov 20 2009 19:18:08 GMT Thanks for the tip Sploco, I will keep an eye out for Baking Cakes in Kigale. I've just finished The Coronor's Lunch which although I would not say was exactly like LDA it has similarities and I really enjoyed it. I am certainly going to be keeping my eye out for the rest of Colin Cotteral's work. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23691 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23691 Tue, Nov 24 2009 08:34:34 GMT I have just started reading the Scotland Street series after being introduced to Ladies Detective Agency by my friend. I really enjoyed LDA and am looking forward to receiving 'Teatime for the Traditionally Built' in my Christmas stocking! But Scotland Street as many have said is quite different though still enjoyable. The Sunday Philosophy Club I picked up on an audio tape in a charity shop and it was quite helpful while doing the ironing! Though as someone said it did go on a bit, I don't know that I would have enjoyed actually reading it so much. I am always open to suggestions, so I may look out for the 'Baking Cakes in Kigali' and The Coroner's Lunch...Thanks http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23736 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23736 Tue, Nov 24 2009 17:19:16 GMT I've just sold my copy on Amazon, otherwise I would have put it on here! I read Corduroy Mansions, a recent book by Alexander McCall Smith, but found it a little hard to get into. I'm going to try LDA though. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23752 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23752 Tue, Nov 24 2009 20:15:20 GMT Corduroy Mansions was an on-line novel with the on-line Telegraph - an installement everyday in much the same way as Scotland Street appeared as daily episodes in The Scotsman Newspaper. I loved the first installement at Corduroy Mansions last year - I tended to listen to the audio version, Andrew Sachs read it very well. The second installement of Corduroy Mansions is currently running in the on-line Telegraph and you can read it or listen to it for free every day - you can also catch up from the begining of this latest installement. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23772 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#23772 Tue, Nov 24 2009 22:26:27 GMT I must admit that I also found this a bit dull. I choose this because of His wonderful series of books about Precious the no.1 ladies detective. Now those are wonderful. Ive got the whole series and will not let go of them 44 Scotland street is very different http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#28289 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#28289 Wed, Feb 10 2010 20:11:25 GMT I was going to post something about 'Friends, Lovers, Chocolate', which is the second Isabel Dalhousie novel, when I found this oldish thread which I thought had crystalised some of the debate about McCall Smith and was worth resurrecting. I didn't get on with the Ladies Detective Agency books, but have enjoyed those set in Edinburgh and from the posts above most people seem to like one or another. I find the Isabel Dalhousie novels pleasant (is that faint praise? - it's not meant to be) and the moral philosophy aspect is light enough, though sometimes it goes on a bit too long. As with 44 Scotland Street, there is a number of constant characters who fill out the picture and whose tales I find interesting to follow. http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#55002 http://www.greenmetropolis.com/forum/posts.aspx?t=2#55002 Tue, Jun 19 2012 13:03:02 GMT