This is the second book in the "44 Scotland Street" series. It can be read as a standalone.
In these lighthearted stories, Alexander McCall Smith recounts the activities of a diverse circle of folks who live in Edinburgh's "New Town" neighborhood. Many of the characters live in apartments at 44 Scotland Street - and others are their friends and acquaintances.
*****
The most endearing character in the book is little Bertie Pollock, a six-year-old boy whose mother embarked on 'the Bertie project' as soon as he was born. Bertie's mum Irene immerses herself in the literature of child psychology; rejects gender-specific appurtenances; and is determined to make Bertie the best that he can be.
Thus Bertie is in therapy with a psychoanalyst;
Has a pink room and pink dungarees;
Goes to a floatarium; takes Italian classes;
Has saxophone lessons;
Goes to yoga; and is restricted from having friends.
In this book Bertie starts kindergarten, which gets him out of Irene's clutches for a bit. Still, Bertie dearly wishes he could play rugby; go to a classmate's birthday party; watch trains; go fishing; wear jeans; and so on. To these ends Bertie makes a few sly maneuvers and gets some help from his father Stuart, who FINALLY decides to be a more assertive husband and better dad.
All this gets young Bertie into a pickle or two, but he has some fun and even meets Glasgow gangster Lard O'Connor - who takes quite a shine to the lad.
*****
Matthew Duncan is a well-meaning young man who's failed at one business after another, all of them financed by his multi-millionaire father. Matthew is currently running an art gallery, which - miracle of miracles - is actually showing a profit.
Matthew now has other troubles however. His father has a new girlfriend, a 'younger woman', and Matthew is certain she's a shameless gold digger. During dinner with the couple Matthew behaves badly, leading to a showdown with his dad (which made me laugh).
Mr. Duncan Sr. is nobody's fool, though, and events take an unexpected turn.
*****
Pat McGregor is a university student who's platonic roommates with handsome narcissistic Bruce Anderson. Pat is very busy these days. She's preparing for classes; working part-time in Matthew Duncan's art gallery; having dinners with her concerned father; and hanging out with her neighbor, anthropologist Domenica MacDonald - who's thinking of going off to study sea pirates.
Domenica takes it upon herself to do a spot of match-making, which gets Pat invited to a nudist picnic.
*****
Good-looking Bruce Anderson, who never passed a mirror he didn't like, has lost his job as a surveyor. Bruce thinks about getting a job in a wine shop, but - in his usual egotistical fashion - decides he'll hit up a university friend for a BIG investment and open his own spirits store.
Bruce doesn't know much about the wine business, however, which leads to an unexpected turn of events.
*****
Artist Angus Lordie, like all residents of Scotland Street, frequently stops by Big Lou's coffee bar for refreshments and conversation. Angus's dog Cyril, who has a gold tooth, accompanies his owner everywhere, and fantasizes about biting people's ankles.
In this book Angus finally gets to nip someone (after being sorely provoked), and everyone on Scotland Street gets a big laugh.
*****
Lawyer Ramsey Dunbarton, who's led an uneventful life, decides to write up his boring (to other people) remembrances. Ramsey chivies his wife Betty into listening to him narrate the memoirs, which she finds very soporific. (And so does the reader.)
*****
Some of my favorite scenes in the story are Bertie's therapy sessions with his psychoanalyst, Dr. Fairbairn. Bertie thinks Dr. Fairbairn is crazy, and is certain he'll be carted off to a mental institution any minute. This is hilarious....as are many other moments in the book.
I'd recommend the book to readers who enjoy humorous stories.
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