Modern Fiction Books > Alexander McCall Smith Modern Fiction Books

Advantages: Fun, easy to read chapters
Disadvantages: Cant put it down,

...another of his books. 44 Scotland street had humour, poignancy and deep philosophical issues. My poor husband kept getting woken up as I shook with laughter at the various adventures - what else can you do when you read lines such as 'what did it matter if you had no underpants'? The format, having been adapted from a newspaper serialisation meant that each chapter was complete in itself, and yet still had you eager to find out what happened next. ...
...and Matthew. What had happened to Pat in her gap year - sorry, in her first gap year? Thsi book starts in her 2bd Gap year. As for Matthew, he seems to be the original useless rich boy - he has had several failed businesses funded by his father. Will the gallery be a success? ... Read review

Advantages: An irresistible instalment in one of the finest series around.
Disadvantages: Not everybody's cup of bush tea.

...(and indeed a pair of blue shoes) all will eventually be resolved... oh, and Mma Ramotswe comes to an unexpected, not to say unprecedented, decision which may shock many! Meanwhile, there are ruminations on the nature of happiness and the places it can be found... Paperback edition published by Abacus, cover price £7.99, available new from Amazon for £4.84. 256pp. ... Read review

Advantages: Very very funny, superb social observations.
Disadvantages: Ramsey Dunbarton

...is on top form in Espresso Tales, the second book in the 44 Scotland Street series. It's absolutely hilarious and the characters have developed without losing their original personalities - Pat in particular is far more interesting in Espresso Tales. I was pleased that Bertie has a major role in this book; the nearly-six-year-old is desperately unhappy, not least with the 'crushed-strawberry' dungarees his mother makes him wear in an attempt to revile ...
...own brand of karma. Espresso Tales makes extremely charming light reading that's guaranteed to amuse all but the stoically humourless. I found it positively addictive - maybe it's the voyeuristic aspect or perhaps it's just that sometimes it's nice to read purely for pleasure without feeling forced to think about serious issues. In these respects, it's very much like a soap opera, only minus most of the depressing bits. The paperback has an RRP ... Read review

Advantages: Gentle story, typical of the series
Disadvantages: Not a style that appeals to all, not a conventional detective novel.

This is the fifth installment in the popular series detailing the unconventional detective techniques of the traditionally built Botswanan detective Mma Precious Ramotswe. I don’t feel it is essential to have read the previous books as there are no real plot spoilers, any background knowledge you need into the characters is provided briefly and succinctly whenever necessary, mainly in the first chapter. Again Mma Ramotswe is ably assisted by Assistant ...
...engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, the proprietor of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. Mma Ramotswe’s main case in this book is to check the suitability of a wealthy businesswoman’s suitors. Mma Holonga owns a number of hair-braiding salons and is looking for a husband, but she wants to be sure that the man she marries is not just after her for her money and requires Mma Ramotswe to check up on them for her. Mma Ramotswe also has to fend off her friend Mma ... Read review

Advantages: easy read, relaxing
Disadvantages: too short

...hold your attention right till the end (and into the first chapter of its follow-up Tears of the Giraffe if you happen to own the 2003 Abacus paperback edition). I suppose it is mainly due to the relaxed way the story or stories are told. You cannot help getting into that same relaxed mode. Arguably nothing really happens, crime-wise apart from a bit of adultery here, a bit of muti there. Why don't people die? Have you noticed how many times the ...
...As if the great nation was obsessed by death. But not in Alexander Mc Call Smith's Bostwana. You do wonder at one time if something sinister has indeed happened. However it would have been a mistake, I believe, if the writer had gone down a different path as the whole tone of the book would have been changed, creating an imbalance of sorts. But if the lack of gripping stuff (as in violence and murder) puts you off then just read the book for its ... Read review