The Unbearable Lightness of Scones (44 Scotland Street Series)

You have to be a reader who delights in characterization over plot and in that wonderful UK sense of humor to be a fan of this series. Well, count me in! However, American readers are known to prefer plot driven fiction so if you are instead looking for a rip roaring, can't stop turning the pages novel, this isn't it. It has more in common with Benson's MAPP AND LUCIA than with Larson's MILLENIUM TRILOGY.

We pick up with Matthew's wedding at the start of this novel and his very eventful honeymoon in Australia, including his life saving experience with a dolphin. Angus and Domenica have grown closer than ever but there is one huge impediment to their taking the next step: Cyril, Angus's dog. Angus even considers buying Cyril his own flat opposite Domenica's to resolve this issue at one point. Bertie is still plagued at every turn by his mother Irene. He finally gets to do something he wants to do, Cub Scouts, only to be plagued by his would-be but hated girlfriend Olive who also joins. But hands down, the most hilarious part of this book is the continuation of the story of the Jacobites via Big Lou's romance with Robbie the Jacobite follower. Robbie and the Pretender's flight north and then "capture" by the authorities is one of the funniest chapters ever created in the English language. I was laughing all over the house out loud with this one.

I now have to wait for the sixth book in this series so it is time for me to start a new series by this author. Stay tuned for my results to be revealed in my the store reviews.

Visit my blog with link given on my profile page here or use this phonetically given URL (livingasseniors dot blogspot dot com). Friday's entry will always be weekend entertainment recs from my 5 star the store reviews in film, tv, books and music. These are very heavy on buried treasures and hidden gems. My blogspot is published on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

"The Unbearable Lightness of Scones" is the wonderful fifth entry in Alexander McCall Smith's "44 Scotland Street" novel series. While nothing can rival my affection for McCall Smith's "Portuguese Irregular Verbs" series, this series is a loving and relaxing look at unusual Scottish characters and their sometimes trivial adventures and misadventures. I rarely read fiction, so for me to not only voluntarily read a novel, but to also be enthusiastic about it is a sign that Smith has done something truly remarkable here. The book doesn't feature a single overarching dramatic arc like most novels do, but rather a series of small, oddly interconnected arcs that intersect in peculiar and unpredictable ways (the closest structural analog is a good episode of "Seinfeld," although this is much more refined and European, of course.)

I was particularly drawn to the trials of little Bertie Pollock and his endeavoring to join the Cub Scouts over his insanely leftist politically correct mother, Irene's, objections. Poor Bertie suffers with his saxophone lessons, Italian lessons, and extensive psychotherapy, all as a reward for being an otherwise well-adjusted child. Will his father finally stand up for him against the lunacy?

I was also fond of the subplot involving Matthew and Elspeth's honeymoon in Australia, which sounds like an amazing adventure, and turned out to be more adventure than amazing, culminating unexpectedly in a life or death struggle with a super-smart hero coming to the rescue. McCall Smith's touch here is at its most subtle: the manner in which he leads you to believe one event outcome to be a certainty, and then swoops in with an entirely different direction for the plot to take is masterful. The book has numerous other plot cul-de-sacs, some of which are merely pleasant dead ends, like the mystery surrounding the painting owned by Glaswegian gangster Aloysius Ignatius Xavier "Lard" O'Connor...or are they? You can never be too sure with McCall Smith, as here the portrait in question leads to the conclusion of the novel, delivered poetically by loveable painter Angus Lordie. Will the portrait be key to the next novel? I guess I had better keep reading.

If you would like a bit of light escapist reading that covers a wide-ranging and baffling number of plot elements including puppy rearing, marmalade smuggling, facial moisturizers for men, the early university career of David Hume, and the fate of a very special blue Spode teacup, nobody will be able to satisfy your needs like Alexander McCall Smith. I recommend the book to anyone who needs an amusing diversion.

"The Unbearable Lightness of Scones" is the wonderful fifth entry in Alexander McCall Smith's "44 Scotland Street" novel series. While nothing can rival my affection for McCall Smith's "Portuguese Irregular Verbs" series, this series is a loving and relaxing look at unusual Scottish characters and their sometimes trivial adventures and misadventures. I rarely read fiction, so for me to not only voluntarily read a novel, but to also be enthusiastic about it is a sign that Smith has done something truly remarkable here. The book doesn't feature a single overarching dramatic arc like most novels do, but rather a series of small, oddly interconnected arcs that intersect in peculiar and unpredictable ways (the closest structural analog is a good episode of "Seinfeld," although this is much more refined and European, of course.)

I was particularly drawn to the trials of little Bertie Pollock and his endeavoring to join the Cub Scouts over his insanely leftist politically correct mother, Irene's, objections. Poor Bertie suffers with his saxophone lessons, Italian lessons, and extensive psychotherapy, all as a reward for being an otherwise well-adjusted child. Will his father finally stand up for him against the lunacy?

I was also fond of the subplot involving Matthew and Elspeth's honeymoon in Australia, which sounds like an amazing adventure, and turned out to be more adventure than amazing, culminating unexpectedly in a life or death struggle with a super-smart hero coming to the rescue. McCall Smith's touch here is at its most subtle: the manner in which he leads you to believe one event outcome to be a certainty, and then swoops in with an entirely different direction for the plot to take is masterful. The book has numerous other plot cul-de-sacs, some of which are merely pleasant dead ends, like the mystery surrounding the painting owned by Glaswegian gangster Aloysius Ignatius Xavier "Lard" O'Connor...or are they? You can never be too sure with McCall Smith, as here the portrait in question leads to the conclusion of the novel, delivered poetically by loveable painter Angus Lordie. Will the portrait be key to the next novel? I guess I had better keep reading.

If you would like a bit of light escapist reading that covers a wide-ranging and baffling number of plot elements including puppy rearing, marmalade smuggling, facial moisturizers for men, the early university career of David Hume, and the fate of a very special blue Spode teacup, nobody will be able to satisfy your needs like Alexander McCall Smith. I recommend the book to anyone who needs an amusing diversion.

Alexander McCall Smith, the popular author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, published a serialized column called "44 Scotland Street" for the Edinburgh Scotsman, which was turned into a book by the same name. It was a tongue-in-cheek peek at Edinburgh society, complete with returning characters whose lives intersect with a group of people who live at the fictional address in Edinburgh's New Town.

THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF SCONES is the fifth book in this series, following on the heels of THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BERTIE, which featured the adventures of Bertie Pollock, a precocious six-year-old resident of the fictitious apartment building. Turning the spotlight on some of the other colorful characters is a delightful tale with a few more mysteries and insights into a growing cast of characters.

Bertie and his friends have decided to become Cub Scouts, which (he discovers to his dismay) must now legally accept girls. It was his one chance to escape the attentions of his schoolmate, Olive, who promises to grow up to be as insufferable as Bertie's mother.

Curmudgeonly Angus Lordie, a landscape and portrait painter, and his gold-toothed dog, Cyril, were left at the end of the last book with the product of Cyril's rendezvous in the park with an unnamed female of indeterminate breeding. Five months later, the mother dog's owner angrily rang the doorbell and deposited a box containing the six puppies on Angus's doorstep. Now Angus is left to figure out what to do with his population explosion. This story has not yet reached its denouement.

Sedate art dealer Matthew, newly wed and off with his bride on their honeymoon to Australia, discovers almost too late that adventure may not be a suitable lifestyle for him and his new bride. He also discovers a shocking skeleton in his family closet.

Domenica, Angus's close friend and confidante, is in an ongoing turmoil with an old friend and neighbor over a stolen Spode cup. Their tenuous relationship escalates to nearly insurmountable dimensions as suspicious deliveries begin to arrive at her door. There may also be romance in the air between Domenica and Angus, although two confirmed singles of a certain age might encounter unforeseen and quite possibly insurmountable obstacles.

Bruce, the vainest male in Scotland whose good looks have carried him far but never far enough, is confronted with reality in this installment. Can he become "The Face of Scotland," or will an epiphany of the heart save this narcissistic young fop from his foibles?

Big Lou, the owner of a local pub who has a reputation for bad taste in men, has her patience put to the ultimate test when her current boyfriend, a fervent Jacobite, brings the Pretender to the Throne of Scotland back from France to sleep on her couch until he can reclaim his title.

Gangster Lard O'Connor shows up unexpectedly at Matthew's gallery to have a potentially priceless (and no doubt ill-gained) portrait of poet Robert Burns appraised. This has Matthew, Domenica and Angus in a quandary as to how to handle it, especially when Lard drops dead at Lou's bar.

44 Scotland Street is almost a real address, but not quite. An examination via Google Maps shows the last address to be at Number 43. The people and stories in THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF SCONES could also be true, according to McCall Smith in his Preface. He says that you can see these people any day in the New Town section of Edinburgh, which all lends a feeling of eavesdropping on the residents of this most Scottish city. One must wonder: Do the real denizens of Edinburgh glance covertly over their cocktail glasses at one another across a crowded party or a restaurant and think, I wonder if...?

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

Reading any of Alexander McCall Smith's books is taking a short and immensely gratifying vacation. His wit, charitable approach to all life, his kind but very human characters, their leisurely pace in life create a world which we are allowed to visit and enjoy. I find myself thinking about his characters long after completing a book. Bertie, the precocious 6-year old for whom we root constantly, hoping his mother will ease up on him (she eventually does, but it takes a long time) is memorable -- so are all the other characters. Hands down, this is a five start book -- but so are they all in the series that I've read, the Scotland Street novels and the Isabel Dalhousie novels.

The Unbearable Lightness of Scones, Alexander McCall Smith's fifth book in his 44 Scotland Street series, once again allows readers to visit his beloved Edinburgh filled with the fictional denizons of an apartment building and their neighbors and friends. Bertie, the six year old boy whose pushy, politically-correct mother fills his days with yoga, Italian and saxophone lessons and appointments with a child psychiatrist continues to make Bertie's life miserable, but there are signs that Bertie's father has begun to take a stand on his son's behalf. Angus the portrait painter and his gold-toothed dog Cyril discover a long-missing Raeburn portrait of Bobbie Burns when Lard O'Connor, the Glasgow gangster visits Edinburgh. Gentle digs about the rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow are funny, but not mean. Lard's accent is almost impenetrable as written and recalls Bertie's remark in another book upon hearing a Glasgow cab driver speak that he thought he could master the Glaswegian language because it seemed almost as easy as Italian. Big Lou and her Jacobite boyfriend return with news of the Pretender to the Throne who briefly moves in with them before going on the lam, last seen heading for remote Scottish islands a la Bonnie Prince Charlie. And so it goes, all the colorful characters, with one exception, return which will delight fans of the series. McCall Smith's tongue-in-cheek style, eye for people's common quirks and love for his city and country shine through.

Delightful commentary on life, Scotland and human foibles. These collections of stories about the 44 Scotland Street group of humans (and canines) is full of wry comments, positive observations and daily dilemmas faced by our friends and their friends who live at 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh. Alexander McCall Smith does not mind poking gentle fun at himself, people, Scotland and the world in general. He is always a delight to read. I wish I could read his columns daily as they appear in the newspaper, but these volumes are definitely better than nothing.

British humor - or Scottish humor - is different. Not that such is a bad thing. It just is.

Hence, when the writer of this novel hits your funny bone, the response or affect may be different from what ordinarily is cast upon you.

This book, unlike some of its predecessors, relies much on the old classic UK comedic formulae: e.g. farce arises with people accidentally slipping into places where they should not be, and overhearing what they cannot believe. We later learn the trespassed eavesdropping, which circulates like the plague among friends, is a great misunderstanding and embarrassment for the interlopers and the relaying parties of the libelous assertions.

But, the characters of this book are cuddly. A guy's guy who paints in ragged tweed coats and musty pants and is always accompanied by his curmudgeon dog can be as cute as the little boy who everyone pities as he is wrought with angst from the seemingly worst of overbearing mothers.

In this book we learn how people in the UK can think of cub scouts as anarchist movements derived from communist word, how smuggling preserves into the UK is a derivative of horrible taxation, how dolphins are as bright as their eyes make them appear, and how criminal acts can be a blessing for the state of Scotland.

Like McCall Smith's other books, everything finds its way tot he right place by the book's end. And, that is when we want another series to be printed, so we again can meet these people from the other side of the pond where people's humor is different, but in a good way.

As usual AMS has delivered a light comedy of manners that includes real and imagined life problems. His Scots have foibles, fears and strengths that give the interwoven stories just the right amount of real Scotland , complex problems and engaging characters.

I love Alexander McCall Smith. I think he is hysterical. I love the 44 Scotland Street series (especially the first book). I like this book (but not quite as well as the others). I love Bertie! I think his overbearing mother is hysterical. I love Olive and Tofu. I love hearing about Angus and Cyril. Sometimes I get annoyed with Matthew and Stuart because they frequently lack backbones, but I have come to appreciate their characters too. I feel like all my favorite "44 Scotland Street" characters are old friends. I look forward to future stories about them.

Okay - I'm predjudice .... I love the 44 Scotland Street series. This wee book can be read on its own or you can back up and start at the beginning of the series and get hooked on all the characters. Alexander McCall Smith's characters come to life and you don't want the book to end ... or to have to wait for the next volume in the series to appear.

The connection of these neighborhood characters in their ongoing experiences is an enchanting treat and a journey into the best and worst of people. The tales unfold in an uplifting way that reinforces our hope for society and appreciation of the nostalgia of tradition.

I believe that the 44 scotland street series is Smith's best work and enjoy this format that's a little bit different from the others. For someone who is interupted a lot or with little spare time, the format of a newspaper serial is ideal- short little chapters with a complete thought or action. But basically gone from this book is Pat, the prominent figure in books one and two. As much as I love Cyril and Angus, there needs to a little more variety in the characters.

McCall seems much a gentle soul. His books are lovely and affirming. Here I another of his wonderful books. I particularly like Bertie the little boy who ha the bad luck to be his Mother' hobbies. We know however he will be ok. Keep writing.

In Edinburgh six years old Bertie Pollock needs to escape the war between his parents over how to raise their kid. He would like to give them pointers but they are too obtuse with adult power to listen to their child. Instead he decides the cub scouts might be the perfect escape especially from his mom as Irene is stifling (not that he wants to go camping in the woods). Neither of his parents are fond of the idea that their darling wants to join the scouts; for that matter neither is Bertie.

Meanwhile Cyril the canine has fallen in lust leaving his pet human artist Angus Lordie with six issues to deal with. Newly married Matthew adapts to life with a live in partner as does his wife Elspeth who has no idea how men behave. Finally lonely Domenica remains isolated with in many ways only his intellectual self and Cyril and his new horde to talk with while mumbling that his dog is scoring better than he ever has. As always a torrent in a teacup confront the occupants at of 44 Scotland Street

This is a terrific slice of Edinburgh as the readers learn more of The World According to Bertie and other residents of 44 Scotland Street. The characters are extremely deep yet cleverly understated. Their wonderful profound stories intertwine into a "Precious" tale as Alexander McCall Smith showcases his Love Over Scotland as much as he has Botswana.

Harriet Klausner

I made it 100+ pages and nothing happened. Maybe I need to read the other books in the series, maybe I need to read to the end. Maybe I need to be British to appreciate this book.

I gave it 100 pages and it didn't do anything for me.

Somewhere I read a suggestion by the author that, not to worry, Bertie would prevail and have some justice done. But, no, it almost gets worse. He comes closer than ever to achieving some independence and having some basic needs met (which children 'need' in order to develop even a tiny bit of self-esteem) only to have it, yet again!, dashed away. Also, if I remember correctly, I read that Bertie was one of the author's favorite characters. Wow! I don't see how he can continually torment this never-aging 6 year old. He may be stuck at 6 for the author, but, as a mother of 5, I can't read this series any more because I have a too vivid mental picture of this kid as a very depressed, withdrawn 16 year old. No father to emulate and a mother and little girl to hate. These are lifelong burdens. Kids' personalities really do get warped. There's no humor or warmth in this book.

I love this series. The characters are so funny and different. I'm sure many of these people exist in real life. I love the interaction between neighbors. Bertie is my favorite. Poor little boy. I enjoy his mother Irene too.