The Revolving Door of Life (44 Scotland Street Series)

by Alexander McCall Smith

Paperback, 2016

Status

Available

Call number

823.914

Publication

Anchor (2016), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages

Description

Once more, we catch up with the delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander McCall Smith. With customary charm and deftness, Alexander McCall Smith gives us another instalment in this popular series, now running in its ninth season in The Scotsman. Anything could happen to Bertie and the gang...

User reviews

LibraryThing member Clara53

Yet another wonderful installment of "44 Scotland Street". I never get tired of this particular series by McCall Smith. The biggest attraction here (at least for me) is, of course, the precocious 7-year-old Bertie. This time the title really reflects what is happening to him. And I sense there

should be a continuation - it definitely finished on that sort of note for Bertie. Other characters are unique as well: with all their quirks and how they see themselves and each other, and all the discussions on morality and ethics. And last but not least, the author's pride and love of his Scotland.

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LibraryThing member brangwinn

When I read a book, I either want it to entertain me, or take me somewhere new. Fates and Furies seemed to sit like a rock on my Kindle. It didn’t entertain me and the place it took me was not a place I wanted to go. This was a book I trudged through because I saw it on a number of lists. Maybe

it’s aimed not at some retired reader, but a younger person who is still creating their life. I kept wanting to say “GROW UP.” Enough with the sex and the non-responsibility. The book was character driven but I could not create empathy for any of the characters except Aunt Susie. She seemed real and grounded in this world of wealth.

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LibraryThing member SarahStenhouse

Gentle humor and wisodm. As expected for this series.

LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth

Calm, casual, charming, witty, intriguing, oddly thought-provoking, sometimes captivating, and sweetly honest though occasionally Machiavellian, Alexander McCall Smith’s tenth Scotland Street novel continues to gather its characters in, scatter them apart (poor Irene, still trapped in a harem

leaving Bertie free to avoid psychotherapy!), and invite readers into the intricacies of vastly different lives. The nudists might catch cold in an Edinburgh park; the little brother might look too much like the therapist; the house might have a genuine secret room; and the seller might have secrets. But it’s all resolved with pleasing conversation, light-hearted banter, and the occasional oddly scary flight into deepening darkness. Coffee and stronger brews are drunk. Streets are walked, or travelled by bus. Edinburgh comes to life, as always in these books, and the reader learns as much from what’s not said as from what’s written down. A quick read if you’re a fast reader, and an easy read to pick up and put down if you’re not, this is a book where the world turns, the people turn to each other, and love is still there behind all our trials and tribulations. An enjoyable novel.

Disclosure: A friend gave me a copy to add to my library. Thank you!

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LibraryThing member etxgardener

The 10th book in McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series finds Irene Pollock still installed in the Bedouin harem and Bertie’ father Stuart, has asked his mother to come to Scotland from her home in Portugal to help him with the boys. This proves to be a bit of heaven for Bertie, as his

grandmother approves of everything his mother despises and vice versa. So good-bye psychotherapy, yoga, and Italian lessons and hello pizza, kilts and visits to his friend, Ranald Braveheart McPherson.

Meanwhile, Matthew & Elspeth find a secret room in their new house containing some valuable paintings. The Duke of Johannesburg is confronted by the heraldic police. Bruce is enlisted to distract Pat’s gather’s Czech girlfriend away from him. The Scottish Nudist are feuding with members in Glasgow, and Irene returns, but Bertie’s grandmother does not leave.

Once again, these books are a cure for what ails you, and I hope this series goes on forever.

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LibraryThing member ritaer

Bertie's grandmother improves his life, politics among nudists, Matthew discovers valuable paintings in hidden room and Irene returns from Bedouin harem

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