It was an okay book. It is a series of intertwined vignettes laced together. It is subtitled “A 44 Scotland Street Novel” but not all of the characters or even the main activity happen there. There’s no real plot. There are too many characters with significant roles to say which is the main. The closest thing to a theme is a thread of interest in Scotland’s independence, but the story doesn’t really contain any major political scenes or subplots.

It’s just a glimpse into the lives of several families sharing a neighborhood. Meandering and a bit ... well, boring. A slice of life with no excitement. ( )

Love, philosophy, friendship, art and some Scottish history are included,as is customary, in this the 15th addition to the 44 Scotland Street series.

Bertie, as always, remains magically pure, kind and honest, while incredibly intelligent and insightful. Perhaps keeping Bertie endlessly young is why McCall Smith moves this series forward at a snail's pace.

Would the series be able to continue if Bertie grew up? Looking at other outstanding male characters in the series, i.e. Matthew, Angus, James and now Fat Bob (congrats to Big Lou), I strongly believe so.

Good read.

As you would expect from this series by A. McCall Smith - another heartwarming installment, and as usual, not without a bit of well-meant irony and understanding of human follies at the same time. Hilarious transformation of Bruce, Big Lou's amazing love story, and Bertie's "escape" (!), among other things... Thoroughly enjoyable. ( )

The latest entry in AMS’s 44 Scotland Street series finds Irene raising her ugly head and wanting Bertie to spend 3 months with her in Aberdeen where she is pursuing her PhD in psychology. Bertie doesn’t want to go, but is told that he must because Irene is his mother and she has a right to see him. Once there, poor Bertie doesn’t understand the Highlands accent, nor does he want to start psychoanalysis again with his old psychologist. He plans his escape & learns what a true friend Ranald Braveheart McPherson really is.

Meanwhile Angus discovers thar Sister Maria de Fiori de Fiori de Montagna is going to be a judge for The Turner Prize while Domenica develops a flirtatious friendship with one of the students living downstairs. Love blooms at last for Big Lou when she meets big-hearted Fat Bob, a highland games strongman and Bruce has a life threatening experience that changes his life.

All the threads are tied up in a neat bow as the neighbors stage their own version of the highland games in Drummond Park. I love this series and want it to go on forever. ( )

Whew, close call for Bernie in Aberdeen! And big news for Bruce! As usual delightful! Long may Alexander McCall Smith write! Lovely to be back at Scotland Street! I'm looking forward to the next one! Wonderful narrator! ( )