[ZG8]∎ Download Free The Revolving Door of Life A 44 Scotland Street Novel Alexander McCall Smith 9781846973284 Books

The Revolving Door of Life A 44 Scotland Street Novel Alexander McCall Smith 9781846973284 Books

Download As PDF : The Revolving Door of Life A 44 Scotland Street Novel Alexander McCall Smith 9781846973284 Books

The Revolving Door of Life A 44 Scotland Street Novel Alexander McCall Smith 9781846973284 Books

I love this author and have read just about all of his books, but this one is not his best. In my opinion there was way too much philosophical discussion that went on too long. Instead I would have liked to learn more about the adorable little Bertie and how he was coming to a brighter life thru his Granny. And maybe a little more about Cyril, the capricious little dog with the gold tooth. And there was hardly a mention of Big Lou with her man troubles. I guess I was hoping that the interesting characters of the series would get more time than they did. That being said, I await the next installment of the 44 Scotland Street series. It will be interesting to see if the terrible Irene will get the last word about how to raise two little boys, or if the spirited Granny will win out the day.


Tags : The Revolving Door of Life: A 44 Scotland Street Novel [Alexander McCall Smith] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In this tenth book in McCall Smith's hugely popular 44 Scotland Street </i>series, Bertie Pollock is now seven years old and making the most of his freedom in Edinburgh while Irene,Alexander McCall Smith,The Revolving Door of Life: A 44 Scotland Street Novel,Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited,1846973287

The Revolving Door of Life A 44 Scotland Street Novel Alexander McCall Smith 9781846973284 Books Reviews

As always, McCall Smith delivers! A writer of deceptive simplicity...his stories always feel like very little is happening, yet they are so packed with humorous and gently wise observations, discoveries and observations about human frailties and foibles. He is such a generous writer in his humane view of the world...I always feel good reading his books.

If you've never read a Scotland Street book, PLEASE do yourself a favor and go back to the beginning. By this point in the series, the assumption is VERY strong that you are quite familiar with the characters and where they left off in the overall plot. You'd miss an awful lot if you started here, and besides, the books are so much fun, you should treat yourself to the whole series.

If you have read, rest assured that this is more of the same. Bernie, the "hero" of the books in my opinion, has more troubles...this time, his grandmother comes to help take care of him while is mother is "out of town" (I don't want to spoil, but if you're a fan, you know the reason Irene is out of Scotland). Bertie is trying to enjoy finally being another year older, but there are always minor obstacles in his way. Matt and his family deal with a move. Dominica and Angus have minor marital issues. Etc. Nothing truly revelatory happens to anyone, and yet this visit to the inner lives of these characters, plus checking in on the few things that DO happen is just so delightful.

Frankly, you either get McCall Smith's books or you don't. They are slight. They move slowly (in a traditional, plot-driven sense). There's no real cursing, violence or sex. In some ways, all the characters sound much the same. I certainly understand why some readers might not care for these books. But if you DO enjoy them...isn't it always a special treat when the new Scotland Street, or Isabel Dalhousie or (best of all) #1 Ladies Detective Agency book comes out! You know you'll laugh a bit, smile a lot, and once in a while, even teeter on the edge of tear. Spending time with Smith is like spending time in your most comfortable clothes. They aren't perfect, but they sure feel NICE.
Lucky Bertie Pollock. He's just turned seven years old in "The Revolving Door of Life", Alexander McCall Smith's latest novel in his "44 Scotland Street" series. Bertie's mother, Irene - possibly one of the worst mothers in modern literature - has been taken by mistake into a Bedouin harem while visiting the Gulf states. For the first time in his short life, Bertie doesn't have Irene bossing him around and not letting him have any fun at all. He's had to wear pink pants to show his solidarity for gender issues, and he's not allowed to play with boys. All Bertie wants is to play with boys, wear a kilt, and have a Swiss Army knife. Now, maybe he's too young for the knife, but he knows what he wants. Bertie's father - the hapless Stuart married to the awful Irene - can't stand up to her. But while she's "away" in the Middle East, Bertie, his baby brother, and Stuart are under the care of Stuart's mother, Nicola, who has come to Edinburgh to take care of the three guys. Suddenly Bertie gets a kilt, pizza, and boy friends to play with. But can it last?

Bertie and his family are just two of the many characters in Smith's Edinburgh stories. A bit like American author Armistead Maupin's "Tales of the City" series, which center around the eccentric occupants of an apartment building in San Francisco, Smith's books also feature a cast of characters. A bit less eccentric than Maupin's crew, Smith's characters are a charming lot of artists and dealers, coffee shop owners, dogs, a Duke-who-possibly-isn't-REALLY-a-duke, and, of course, Bertie Pollock and the dreadful Irene. This latest book - the 10th in the Scotland series - is less plot-centric and more character-centered. Oh, things happen but they are relatively minor things, and the reader concentrates more on the characters.

One of the best things about series books is the chance to return to old friends and catch up on their lives. This is only the second Smith book I've read but I'm surely returning for #11! I want to know what happens to Bertie, and all the others I've become enamoured with in only two books.
I love this author and have read just about all of his books, but this one is not his best. In my opinion there was way too much philosophical discussion that went on too long. Instead I would have liked to learn more about the adorable little Bertie and how he was coming to a brighter life thru his Granny. And maybe a little more about Cyril, the capricious little dog with the gold tooth. And there was hardly a mention of Big Lou with her man troubles. I guess I was hoping that the interesting characters of the series would get more time than they did. That being said, I await the next installment of the 44 Scotland Street series. It will be interesting to see if the terrible Irene will get the last word about how to raise two little boys, or if the spirited Granny will win out the day.