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429th out of 521 books
—
464 voters
The Importance of Being Seven (44 Scotland Street #6)
by
Alexander McCall Smith (Goodreads Author)
Number 44 Scotland Street is no ordinary address. The elegant tenement, and the surrounding Georgian quarter of Edinburgh, is home to an extraordinary group of people, including Bertie Pollock - six years old, and impatient to be seven ...
279 pages
Published
(first published January 1st 2010)
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It’s nearly impossible to talk about the 44 Scotland series without spoiler alerts. So consider yourself warned. I’ll be talking about what happens.
"The Importance of Being Seven" has all of the Alexander McCall Smith imperatives.
1. We have the fun of hating Irene. This time round, we learn that her baby son throws up whenever she picks him up. A discerning child, every reader will agree.
2. There’s utter outrageousness. Irene gets trapped in a transport container taking used clothes from Edinbur...more
"The Importance of Being Seven" has all of the Alexander McCall Smith imperatives.
1. We have the fun of hating Irene. This time round, we learn that her baby son throws up whenever she picks him up. A discerning child, every reader will agree.
2. There’s utter outrageousness. Irene gets trapped in a transport container taking used clothes from Edinbur...more
Alexander McCall Smith managed to capture a lot of readers with this Scotland Street series, and I, along with many others, have been most interested in the character of young Bertie. He does not turn seven in this episode, but he does think things could be better if he were only seven. In fact, he is looking beyond that, to when he is 18 and can escape all those things imposed upon him by his mother. The best part of this book is that his father finally seems to be developing enough sympathy fo...more
This is #6 in the 44 Scotland Street series set in present day Edinburgh, Scotland, and as usual the author does not disappoint. And as usual NOT what you would read if you're looking for adventure and suspense! Love the way the author weaves the story around all of the different characters and their daily events. Young Bertie finally gets an adventure with his Dad without his overbearing Mom around. Bertie has become my favorite character. So young and innocent and still learning to appreciate...more
Once again I find myself ready to gush over a book by McCall Smith and I almost resisted the temptation to do it in writing - but, not quite. This latest of his 44 Scotland Street novels is even better than the previous ones. If you ever find that your heart needs some refreshment, pick up this series and you will reap the reward. Bertie is nearly seven and finds some moments of pleasure despite his truly weird mother, Irene. It seems as if his father may just be growing a spine! His 1 year old...more
Again, back to Alexander McCall Smith, whose novels I enjoy reading so much. I noticed this book, the most recent in his 44 Scotland Street series, set in Edinburgh, at my library, started it, and couldn't put it down. I had to adjust to characters who had been fleshed out in previous books in the series (and my library has none of them), but the author made that easy. Bertie Pollock is the six-year-old who longs to be seven, but that is because in his mind being older equates to having more res...more
"Stuart smiled encouragingly at his son. 'And did anything happen?' This was the question that Bertie had been dreading. The usual answer of most children to such a question from a parent is that nothing happened -the lives of children, by self-report, are barren and empty, quite devoid of incident. Nothing happens, nobody says anything, and indeed nobody is present at any function they attend. By the same rule of infantile omerta, nothing is learned at school, where the resolute silence of the...more
With the arrival of this sixth novel in his series about the denizens of Edinburgh’s 44 Scotland Street (originally published in serial form in the daily paper, The Scotsman), McCall once again shows himself to be the master craftsman of light comedy. The residents at and around 44 Scotland Street are quickly introduced: art dealer Matthew and his new bride Elspeth, Irene Pollock (along with husband Stuart, precociously gifted son Bertie, and pretentiously named baby Ulysses), painter Angus Lord...more
I loved this book but then I am a huge fan of Alexander McCall Smith's Scotland Street Series. I only wish they could be published quarterly!
I adore the city of Edinburgh where the series is set and having moved to live in Edinburgh in the last month; I've enjoyed this book even more. Some of the action takes place close to where I now live and I almost expect to bump into the beleaguered Bertie, lovely Pat or painter Angus and his wee dog, Cyril, while out for a stroll.
These books are relaxin...more
I adore the city of Edinburgh where the series is set and having moved to live in Edinburgh in the last month; I've enjoyed this book even more. Some of the action takes place close to where I now live and I almost expect to bump into the beleaguered Bertie, lovely Pat or painter Angus and his wee dog, Cyril, while out for a stroll.
These books are relaxin...more
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Having just read the third Corduroy Mansions book this book compares well, with better realized and fleshed out characters, which hold up better against the author's off-character rambles/asides. Pat was back, if briefly, Antonia may have had an epiphany, Bruce makes a couple of sightings, Matthew and Elspeth get plenty of mileage, but this is really about Bertie who continues to dream of freedom. A charming, thoughtful boy who, unlike other children his age, seems to have fully developed the re...more
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As Bertie Pollack will tell you, being six is no easy thing....especially when you're the son of an overbearing, pretentious mother who forces you to go to psychotherapy and yoga classes, to learn Italian and to play the saxophone endlessly. When you're only six, you can't rebel. And, when you're only six, you're stuck with the friends you've been dealt with and you have to accept them...even mean girls that claim you are going to marry them (if you don't die of a dreaded disease first) and boys...more
A thoroughly enjoyable reunion with the Scotland Street characters. A slight hope that Stuart is going to begin to stand up a little more to Irene - we left Bertie in a happy place at the end of this volume, though I suspect his trials are not yet over and we have yet to properly meet the new psychotherapist. Bruce still has clear shades of his old colours, Matthew and Elspeth have an interesting future before them and one wonders what Kirsty will do to get revenge. The book finishes on a happy...more
I am so glad that McCall Smith decided, upon the urging of a lot of fans, to resuscitate the wonderful 44 Scotland Street series. I truly love listening to the audio version in which the incomparable Robert Ian Mackenzie voices all the familiar characters (and a couple of new ones). He so perfectly captures McCall Smith's subtle (mostly) humor. I can imagine how even funnier it would be if I was actually part of Edinburgh culture.
Ironically, Mackenzie was the reader on the Harold Frye book I jus...more
Ironically, Mackenzie was the reader on the Harold Frye book I jus...more
It was fun to get back with the "Scotland Street" characters once again. Even if I'd forgot some of the details of their latest adventures, A.M. Smith inserted the background in non-intrusive ways, and I was soon back on track with these unique Scottish characters, from 6 1/2 year old Bertie to senior citizen/painter Angus Lordie and his dog with a gold tooth, Cyril.
The book title pertains to Bertie, who looks forward to more freedom and independence (from his hovercraft mother) at age seven. Tr...more
The book title pertains to Bertie, who looks forward to more freedom and independence (from his hovercraft mother) at age seven. Tr...more
This series is best read beginning with the first book, "44 Scotland Street". Almost every reader's favorite character, 6-year-old Bertie is sure life will be better for him when he reaches the more independent age of seven. This can be easily explained by the fact he has a domineering mother who overplans his life. Add to Bertie the story of an expecting couple, an artist, an anthropologist, Big Lou, and several other residents of Edinburgh and you have a gentle tale of life and quirky characte...more
Like many of Alexander McCall Smith's books, this one is quietly amazing. You think you're reading light, amusing stories about an assortment of characters: Matthew, Big Lou, Angus, Dominica, and Bertie. Then suddenly, McCall Smith tosses in these shafts of light that make you catch your breath. For example, '"Look at that sky," said Angus. "We're so fortunate, aren't we? To live in a country where the sky changes virtually every moment; where its colours, its attenuated blues, its whites, its p...more
It's always a good read when wee Bertie is involved. Mr Smith continues with the ongoing saga of the residents of Scotland Street in a most satisfying way.
However, I did have one complaint with this addition to the series: it wasn't long enough. The characters are beginning to fracture a bit too much now and I thought Bertie's storyline, especially, suffered because of the brevity of the story. Not that there wasn't enough of Irene or Matthew and Angus and their associated stories, but their st...more
However, I did have one complaint with this addition to the series: it wasn't long enough. The characters are beginning to fracture a bit too much now and I thought Bertie's storyline, especially, suffered because of the brevity of the story. Not that there wasn't enough of Irene or Matthew and Angus and their associated stories, but their st...more
What's not to love about Alexander McCall Smith? Wonderful writing, fantastic characters, a great sense of humor...His books are like candy - fast, easy page-turners - nothing too heavy or dark and everything seems to end up fine in the end. I particularly like the two series that are set in Edinburgh - The 44 Scotland Street Series and the Sunday Philosophy Club series.
In this latest installment in the 44 Scotland Street series, Bertie experiences some freedom from the insufferable Irene and ge...more
In this latest installment in the 44 Scotland Street series, Bertie experiences some freedom from the insufferable Irene and ge...more
Jan 12, 2013
Ellen
marked it as to-read
Not many real children actually want to be Peter Pan and I've wondered whether Bertie was ever going to be allowed to age. One of my few criticisms of the series has been its pokiness regarding birthdays. If you had a mother like Bertie's, wouldn't you hope to age out of her clutches? I do admire authors who tackle the powerlessness of childhood. Rebecca West's writes brilliantly about this in "The Fountain Overflows." In her sequels, though, the children grow up. I suppose that the original ser...more
Like a cup of tea with shortbread, it's warm and comforting to come back to the characters of 44 Scotland Street. In the vain inept surveyor Bruce to the artistic and intellectual Dominica and Angus, we recognize our friends, neighbors, and ourselves. The unusual twists and unresolved plot lines that characterize McCall Smith's series of installment novels draw us into the everyday lives of this Edinburgh neighborhood. And of course, there are the continuing troubles of the still six year old Be...more
I do love Alexander McCall Smith and wonder if his mind ever stops. He is funny, clever, and intuitive. He's the only person, other than Billy Collins, that can make me holler out loud when listening to him lecture. These stories that have him continually philosophizing makes me wonder what it would be like to be married to the guy that probably makes one hell of a impassioned argument on all sides of an issue. One could never win - but one would always end up crashing on the couch laughing one'...more
Another of McCall Smith's books. This in a series 44 Scotland Street. The Importance of Being Seven refers to the young Bertie Pollock who lives with his mother, father and baby brother. McCall Smith has created a wonderful young boy in this series, that I have loved following. His mother is rather like a Gestapo who doesn't allow the boy to be a boy. He very bright but will not fight her even though he sees how she is wrong. It's quite delightful and I've loved following them in the series.
The...more
The...more
Author Alexander McCall Smith has the capability to wrap us into his characters and neighborhoods like few contemporary authors. This novel keeps us well attached to the friends and neighbors at Scotland Street in Edinburgh.
Each family has their own "personal challenges", and each of these delightful characters is easy to relate to. Bertie,is anxiously awaiting turning 7, Angus and Domenica finally announce their engagement after an Italian Holiday gone wrong, and Elspeth and Matthew deal with l...more
Each family has their own "personal challenges", and each of these delightful characters is easy to relate to. Bertie,is anxiously awaiting turning 7, Angus and Domenica finally announce their engagement after an Italian Holiday gone wrong, and Elspeth and Matthew deal with l...more
In a literary world where many authors focus on horrible things that are going on, Alexander McCall Smith always seems to focus on the gentle stories of everyday life, the way our stories intertwine, separate and come together again.
Whenever I pick up one of his books, I know I'll get some wonderful insights, some terrific musing, some amusing tales and a little bit of the awfulness of everyday life.
You want to know what happens? Read someone else's review. All I'm gonna say is that, if you ha...more
Whenever I pick up one of his books, I know I'll get some wonderful insights, some terrific musing, some amusing tales and a little bit of the awfulness of everyday life.
You want to know what happens? Read someone else's review. All I'm gonna say is that, if you ha...more
After reading all the books in the 44 Scotland St. series up until this point, I am sad that I have to wait a while until there is another. According to Wikipedia there are two more in the series that have been published (Bertie Plays The Blues and Sunshine On Scotland St.) but they are not available here in Canada at the present time. No library in my area has them, and amazon says they are currently unavailable. It must be that they have not been published here in North America yet. Maybe I ca...more
This type of book is exactly the kind of literature I use as snoozing pillows, full of lengthy dialogues and philosophical observations that I normally wouldn't enjoy. 'Normally' being the presumptuous word here, as I was fortunate enough to enjoy The Importance of Being Seven greatly. The characters were alive, their philosphical blatherings interesting, and the different perceptions wonderfully woven together.
I loved the residents of 44 Scotland Street, especially Bertie and Cyril. Bertie must...more
I loved the residents of 44 Scotland Street, especially Bertie and Cyril. Bertie must...more
The 44 Scotland Street series is one of my favorites of Alexander McCall Smith's many series. And within the series, Bertie is one of my favorite characters. I like reading about his attempts to enjoy life in spite of his mother's many plans for him. In this book, he once again gets some assistance from his father who finds ways to give Bertie some normal boyhood moments. There are several other characters that I was happy to have continue their stories as well: Matthew and his wife, Elspeth who...more
44 Scotland Street #6 - The sixth book in a series about the neighbors on Scotland Street. But the first one I have read. McCall Smith is an author I have read before and enjoyed. That was the reason I picked up 'The Importance of Being Seven'. Very real characters.
possible spoilers
I feel myself wishing Burtie's mum is never found. Will Kirsty try to cause trouble with Michael and Elspeth? And questioning will Antonia become a nun, remain in Italy and miss the wedding of Angus and Domenica? But...more
possible spoilers
I feel myself wishing Burtie's mum is never found. Will Kirsty try to cause trouble with Michael and Elspeth? And questioning will Antonia become a nun, remain in Italy and miss the wedding of Angus and Domenica? But...more
Oh, the hilarity! Bertie, it looks as if your father is finally trying to man-up. Someone needs to stand up to your overbearing mother!
Matthew, she's quite a catch, that Elspeth, and Angus/Domenica: Looking forward to whatever life throws your way in the next installment.
My favorite part of the book was the reference to another child in Edinburgh whose first word was 'olive'. Could it be Isabel's Charlie (of Sunday Philosophy Club)?
I love Alexander McCall Smith's writing and eagerly await the ne...more
Matthew, she's quite a catch, that Elspeth, and Angus/Domenica: Looking forward to whatever life throws your way in the next installment.
My favorite part of the book was the reference to another child in Edinburgh whose first word was 'olive'. Could it be Isabel's Charlie (of Sunday Philosophy Club)?
I love Alexander McCall Smith's writing and eagerly await the ne...more
Just my cup of tea. Not everyone would like the tangential musings on various moral or philosophical considerations, or chuckle at the bits of humor, or appreciate the small victories against the small-minded or meanies, who are not so much evil as so self-centered that other people fail to matter whatsoever. Sadly, the baddies do not seem to learn at all, but continue along in their ways. Character development just doesn't happen in this world. I am a bit sad that it might take another month(?)...more
I love this series so much that I pre-ordered this book from London and had it shipped from the British chapter of Amazon.com. That said, it didn't disappoint in the least; rather, it exceeded my expectations. I had to force myself not to read it too quickly, in order to savor its many pleasures. It reminded me of receiving am amazing chocolate bar, and taking small nibbles to draw out the enjoyment, while wanted desperately to eat the whole thing in one sitting. And now that I'm finished, what...more
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Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what...more
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“There was no word for self-pity in the language of the north-east of Scotland - the nearest being a word which is defined in the Scots dictionary as being 'a term used to express self-reproach on paying too much for something.”
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2 people liked it
“We might more of us say these words to others, and more frequently--how healing that would prove to be. "Look, we've had our differences, but how about some chocolate?" Or: "I'm so sorry: how about some chocolate?" Or simply, "Great to see you! How about some chocolate?”
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2 people liked it
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