Sunshine on Scotland Street

Written by Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie

Once more, we catch up with the delightful goings-on in the fictitious 44 Scotland Street from Alexander McCall Smith. With customary charm and deftness, Alexander McCall Smith gives us another instalment in this popular series, now running in its eighth season in The Scotsman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 12, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490618722

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

Reviews for Sunshine on Scotland Street

[paulmorriss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed it immensely, more than the previous one, the first one in this series which I've read. I think it's partly because I'm more familiar with the characters, and also because I was slightly distracted by the blurb in the other book which mentioned a minor plot point which I waited for ages to arrive. I think the blurb writer, given the intertwined nature of the stories and the lack of major plot points, seized on something to mention which actually was one of loads of details in the life of a character.

[sarah_holroyd_2 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I probably shouldn't have jumped directly into the middle of this series, but this was the book I acquired. I like Smith's dry humor, and the vivid characters he created, but there really wasn't a story line running through the entire book. It's more like a continuing look at these characters lives as they evolve. From a character standpoint I enjoyed it, but I couldn't really find the "story."

[tigsw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Not quite as good as his previous novels in this series, but delightful nonetheless.

[reeread · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

More doings in Scotland Street - Matthew marries Elspeth and they have an eventful honeymoon in Perth Australia, Angus is given a very valuable painting by Lard O'Connor, Domenica is finding time hanging heavily on her hands and misjudges Antonia, Bruce turns over a new leaf after being treated the way he has treated others and Bertie joins cubs with Tofu and Olive and almost escapes the clutches of his weekly psychotherapy.

[devilish2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Still the same characters (mostly). It's pretty light and fluffy but I love his wry observations of everyday interactions.

[thorold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This instalment of the 44 Scotland Street saga is an enjoyable read, as ever, and one of McCall Smith's best titles. It doesn't really add a great deal to the development of either the story or the characters, though: the appalling Bruce gets his come-uppance yet again, and shows signs of an unlikely reform, but that's about it. No really major comic set-pieces.

[condorena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My favorite character is Bertie and I root for him all through the.book.

[figgles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've come into this series in the middle, reading this one because it has some incidents set where I live (Perth, WA). The interweaving tales of characters from Edinburgh are delightful, funny, poingnant and very human. I will be reading (and buying) more...

[catheolson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is another in the 44 Scotland St. series. Enjoyable but vaguely disappointing in the end as there is not really any character development other than Bruce. The others are pretty much in the same circumstances, doing the same thing--though there are hints that things may change in the next book.

[heidialice · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The latest installment in the Scotland Street series, covering the antics and foibles of a motley cast of characters in the overgrown village which is Edinburgh. While nothing ever quite gets wound up, he at least explains in the introduction of this volume that his aim is to describe real life, not tell a story in the sense of having a beginning, a middle and an end.McCall Smith keeps a light touch, and continues the tradition of telling small, yet poignant, stories in the ordinary lives of these upper-middle class characters. The developments in "Scones" should be pleasantly surprising for those following the series. An enjoyable, quick read for a rainy Edinburgh day!

[benpjohnson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Has its moments but overall I found it very average. This is the sort of book your mother will love.

[etxgardener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this 8th Scotland St novel, we find Angus & Dominica finally getting married. However, Angus has forgotten to buy a ring or book a honeymoon. It’s up yo best man, Matthew to sort everything out & get Angus to the church on timeBertie, who has been six for ever so long, has been charged to take care of Angus’ dog Cyril while he and Dominica are away, but as usually happens, Bertie’s awful mother, Irene, spoils everything & Bertie must find Cyril other accommodationsMatthew’s au pair introduces him to Bo who wants to make a documentary of him & Elspeth, but soon finds Big Lou more interesting & she goes viralAnd Bruce meets his doppelgänger in an exchange that turns out to be incredibly lucrative.As usual, McCall Smith serves up a cast of characters that quickly become like old friends who quickly find a place in the reader’s heart

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

How can one not like reading about the inhabitants of Scotland Street. And sadly I like Bertie’s mother no more in this book. I hope she disappears again, so the rest of the characters can live happily ever after. This is a series I suggest be read in order, because each book builds on the story of the previous book.

[downtownlibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a pleasure to visit Scotland Street! Despite the travails of Bertie and the venality of Bruce, these are the books you want to spend time with if you want to be gently amused, morally inspired, and intellectually edified. Robert Ian McKenzie is a wonderfully talented narrator who brings it all to life. My drive time is immeasurably better with Alexander McCall Smith!

[terris-7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As always, I love keeping up with the characters who live on Scotland Street. It's entertaining, and kind of a breath of fresh air. Just nice :)

[clara53_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an 8th installment in "44 Scotland Street" series. A very cosy, satisfying and entertaining read, especially if prior to that one happened to have been reading something serious and tragic (like I did). McCall Smith is always ready with his enjoyable, light, and often hilarious sense of humor, as well as his delightful discussions on a number of everyday life topics, including his nostalgia for things past. Can order exist in the middle of disorder, for instance? Upon closer examination it just might... (p. 151-152 - there is quite a discussion there...). My only regret is that I know very little of Scottish culture and thus was not perhaps able to fully enjoy some of the references to it.

[delphimo_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

44 Scotland Street is my favorite Smith series, I especially love Bertie. In this episode, Bertie plans to take care of Cyril while Angus and Domenica go on a honeymoon. Of course, Irene, Bertie's mother, drives Cyril to madness, and Cyril must go to another house. The wedding of Angus and Domenica owes much to the assistance of Matthew. Smith presents heated topics in an elegant narrative. Bertie struggles with his mother's iron control of his every breathing hour, but Stewart seems to be aiding and abetting in his son's small freedoms. Stewart has even thought to have a DNA test on Ulysseus. What boldness! I must admit that the chapters dealing with Bruce provide only resentment and anger, but Smith probably plans this move. I prefer listening to an audiobook due to the excellent reading by Robert Ian MacKenzie.

[jcambridge_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Light but enjoyable reading, although one of the plot lines in this installment was a bit unlikely. A good read on a rainy afternoon, but one does need to follow the series as the characters develop with each book. Also, the reader is never told how the disappearing Volvo issue was resolved. Did Bertie and his father ever get to go fishing??

[staffreads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book 8 in the continuing entertaining saga of the residents of this small neighborhood in Edinburgh. Light and amusing and read with an accomplished range of Scottish accents.SRH

[st5croixsue · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book 8 in the continuing entertaining saga of the residents of this small neighborhood in Edinburgh. Light and amusing and read with an accomplished range of Scottish accents.

[ronrose1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The author is much like one of his characters, a Danish film maker visiting Scotland, who wants to make a documentary film about the life of a typical Scottish resident. He is going to be the fly on the wall, observing and recording everyday occurrences giving his audience an unaltered picture of life as it evolves. In this instance we follow the wedding preparations or lack there of, concerning Angus Lordie, an Edinburgh artist and his betrothed, Domenica Macdonald. Angus is helped by his friend and best man, Matthew, who has a wife, young triplets and an au pair from Denmark, Anna. She has a friend Bo, the Danish film maker, who wants to make the afore mentioned documentary about Matthew’s life. Which according to Matthew would be a very boring movie. While filming Matthew’s not so cinematic life, Bo notices Big Lou, the local cafe owner, who has no end of exciting stories to tell about all the local inhabitants. While all this is going on six year old Bertie is tasked with watching Angus’s dog, Cyril till the honeymoon is over. It turns out the honeymooners are not the only ones to go on a trip as Cyril makes his way around town after a series of adventures. The author uses his characters to express his desire that we all live with love, kindness and forgiveness for others. The story is rich in the syntax and jargon of Scotland. Some might find this off-putting , but it seems a welcome breath of fresh air to this reader. Book provided for review by Amazon Vine.

[triscuit_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Bask in the day to day doings of the residents of an apartment block in Edinburgh. Wonderfully drawn characters with wit and some pathos.