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Books Related to Espresso Tales Alexander McCall Smith - ISBN: 0753135124
A Sequel That Tops 44 Scotland Street! - Rated
If you haven't yet read 44 Scotland Street, I recommend that you read it first before Espresso Tales. Although Alexander McCall Smith does an excellent job of sneaking in the back story in Espresso Tales, some of the delicious humor won't fully tickle you if you haven't read the origins of the hilarious situations that have been set up for this book.
If you don't know the background of this series, you should be aware that this novel was written on a daily basis as a serial in The Scotsman newspaper. That means that the story is broken up into 105 two to three page segments . . . almost all of which have a cliff hanger element to them. Many of the segments are illustrated with black and white drawings that enlarge the story.
If you haven't read 44 Scotland Street yet, please read no more of this review.
Espresso Tales is a looser story with more extreme situations and humor. I found myself holding my sides laughing so hard that I was in pain in several places.
Here are brief updates on some of the main characters:
Bertie takes matters into his own hands in terms of trying to get free of his overbearing mother. Bertie's father awakens to the idea of helping Bertie enjoy being a little boy of six. What happens to Irene's vision of her perfect son? You'll love the answers. The visit to Glasgow is one of the finest pieces of humorous writing that I've ever read. Enjoy it!
Dr. Fairbairn comes up against his repressed past in a most revealing episode.
Pat decides to go to Edinburgh University, which pleases her father. She also meets an intriguing new man . . . with a most unusual pastime.
Domenica finds a new purpose for her life.
Big Lou has a large surprise in her life.
Matthew's life is turned upside down when he father becomes interested in a younger woman, Janis.
Bruce rouses himself from his depression over losing his job to find a partner and goes into business for himself.
Each story is, of course, much more complicated than that. Alexander McCall Smith is the master of irony and understatement. So the endings are often not quite what you might expect. Be ready for a tsunami of giggles!
