Book info

• Title 44 Scotland Street
• Author Alexander McCall Smith
• Year 2004
• Genre Contemporary

The story revolves around the comings and goings at No. 44 Scotland Street, a fictitious building in a real street in Edinburgh. Immediately recognisable are the Edinburgh chartered surveyor, stalwart of the Conservative Association, who dreams of membership of Scotland's most exclusive golf club. We have the pushy Stockbridge mother, and her prodigiously talented five-year-old son, who is making good progress with the saxophone and with his Italian. Then there is Domenica Macdonald who is that type of Edinburgh lady who sees herself as a citizen of a broader intellectual world.

Thoughts

I was very intrigued to read this story, which was initially published in a serialised form in a Scottish periodical, but is now bundled together to read straight through as a book. McCall Smith’s usual style of fascinating characters winding in and out of each other’s lives is on full display, and this time centres around a flat share in Scotland Street.

The story works well as a whole, although I was a bit annoyed by the main character of Pat, who never quite seemed to behave as you imagine a twenty year old would… but of course, what is normal anyways?

Overall a good read, nice and simple with some great humour and plenty to think about on the subjects of art and humanity as you work your way through.

Rating: 3 / 5