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The Unbearable Lightness of Scones: A New 44 Scotland Street Novel (44 Scotland Street 5)
 
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The Unbearable Lightness of Scones: A New 44 Scotland Street Novel (44 Scotland Street 5) (Hardcover)

by Alexander McCall Smith (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Polygon An Imprint of Birlinn Limited; First Edition edition (1 Jul 2008)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1846970571
  • ISBN-13: 978-1846970573
  • Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.4 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 50,099 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review
The phenomenal acclaim for Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana-set detective series featuring the 'comfortably built' Precious Ramotswe took the publishing world by storm, notably because the gentle, unforced humour of the books was such a contrast with the far grittier fare on offer from most publishers and crime authors. Of course, it's probably true that readers were ready for something a touch more ingratiating --- that's to say, crime books that didn't always end with the walls painted with blood.

The latest book in McCall Smith's highly successful career, The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, is, however, not one of his Precious Ramotswe books, but an entry in the pleasing (and undemanding) Scotland Street series, full of the good-natured charm and inventiveness that is the author's hallmark. Bertie, McCall Smith's precocious six-year-old protagonist, is still at odds with his domineering mother, Irene, but enjoying his time as a cub scout. Matthew is struggling with the demands of marriage, while Domenica has her own struggle with the loneliness that accompanies her somewhat arid intellectual lifestyle. The residents of 44 Scotland St offer a kind of Celtic alternative to the humour of Armistead Maupin's delightful San Francisco-set Tales of the City (although unorthodox sexuality has less of a place here!).

It's a something of an achievement in the often dark world of the 21st century to deliver lightweight (but intelligent) entertainment such as this. There will always be those who want more uncompromising fare, but those attuned to Alexander McCall Smith's more gentle world view need not hesitate. --Barry Forshaw

Product Description
The story of Bertie and his dysfunctional family continues in this fifth instalment alongside the familiar cast of favourites - Big Lou, Domenica, Angus Lordie, Cyril and others - in their daily pursuit of a little happiness. With customary charm and deftness, Alexander McCall Smith has again given us a clever, witty and utterly delightful new novel.

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars As good as ever, 17 Jul 2008
By Damaskcat (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
This instalment of the series is just as good as its predecessors. Matthew embarks on married life; Bertie continues to ask awkward questions about his little brother's parentage; Domenica wonders what Antonia is up to and Angus Lordie and Cyril have a close encounter with some puppies. Each short chapter is complete in itself and many are highly amusing. What can you do with 6 puppies in an Edinburgh flat? Big Lou is still serving coffee and sympathy to all who need it and still reading through her eclectic library. Old friends make an appearance and some problems are sorted. I loved it for its gentle humour and the knowledge of human nature in all its forms which this author displays. I can't wait for the next one.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best -they get better and better, 11 Jul 2008
By C. Catherwood "writer" (Cambridge UK and Richmond VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Things can only get better - and this is side-splittingly funny as the characters we all know and love so well as are back for another instalment. It is not just Bertie who is great (though he is as funny and insightful as ever) but so are all the other characters as well, who really are wonderful. McCall Smith pretends they are real, and in a profound sense they are - we all know people EXACTLY like Isabel, Domenica, Angus or dogs like Cyril. One important thing: MARRIED COUPLES BUY TWO COPIES since you will then be able to read one each as your other half chortles out loud at the wonderfully funny scenes. Five cheers for McCall Smith as always! Christopher Catherwood (author of A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE EAST)
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful as always, 16 Jul 2008
By Telboy "mycariscalledsophia" (Holywood, Co Down, UK) - See all my reviews
The latest instalment of the 44 Scotland Street series is here,and well worth the wait! I couldn't wait for my wife to finish it because I was sick and tired of her chuckling and giggling to herself and I wanted, nay, NEEDED,to know what was going on! If you're a fan of the series, you'll love this - if you're not, WHY NOT!?!? I'm just amazed at McCall-Smith's ability to produce top-class writing again and again. In fact, it makes me want to go back and read the whole series again. Brilliant stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
Amazon's unexplained non-delivery of this item was very disappointing. Although it was ordered through a third party seller, I felt that Amazon could have done more to help me to... Read more
Published 11 days ago by Stephanie Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars One wedding, a funeral and lots of moisturiser
Alexander McCall Smith has produced another treat for fans of the 44 Scotland Street series. This book is as light as the lightest scone yet as always there are plenty of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Tealady2000

4.0 out of 5 stars Unbearable Lightness of Scones
Witty and insightful. A good read as always. McCall Smith is sparing and concise, every chapter full of gems, some obviously rich with local meaning lost on a non-Edinburgh... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Chianti Rufina

4.0 out of 5 stars what about the puppies?
what about the puppies - were they served up as hot dogs, or something more eastern perhaps?; we now have the dark side of scotland street- even cyril registers no anxiety about... Read more
Published 5 months ago by jaff

4.0 out of 5 stars An admirable continuation of the Scotland Street series
This is the latest book in McCall Smith's Scotland Street series and I think it's the best of the five. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Bluebell

5.0 out of 5 stars The unbearable waiting for the next installment...
It seems to take 44 Scotland Street books longer to make it over to the Amazon US site than other Alexander McCall Smith titles, which makes me very sad because this series has... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Patricia Tryon

3.0 out of 5 stars weird...
I've loved 44 scotland street more than any other McCallSmith books but ... After reading that latest/last volume I wondered whether McCallSmith had really written it. Read more
Published 9 months ago by CPA

4.0 out of 5 stars The Unberarable lightness of Scones
I loved the new book of the 44 Scotland series. It is a shame Bertie is still years old. I loved the idea of him bringing Australia into this book as I know Perth Australia well... Read more
Published 9 months ago by H. R. Thompson

3.0 out of 5 stars The End of the Street
May I apologise in advance to the loyal followers? I'm sorry, but I've fallen out of love with Scotland Street. What's changed? Read more
Published 10 months ago by SARAH MCCARTNEY

5.0 out of 5 stars More! More! More!
This latest 44 Scotland Street novel doesn't disappoint except that it is just too difficult to make it last! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Pavot15

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