Alexander Mc Call Smith and The Comfort of Saturdays

It has been about two years I've been reading Alexander Mc Call Smith's novels. No, I have never opened one of his detective novels his so famous for, I don't know what he creates in Africa. However, I couldn't resist his Corduroy Mansion, 44 Scotland Street and The Sunday Philosophy Club series. I wouldn't call these numerous novels the best I've ever read, and sometimes the rythm is really slow, however it's is very representative of Edimburgh's everyday life in many ways. The characters are always keen on introspection. They think about their lives and their future, about love and friendship, nothing new there really. But this, plus the slow rythm, gives the reader the opportunity to feel the heat of the fireplace, the steam on the teacup while rain is pouring outside, the warmth of an indian summer Scottish afternoon...

I'll go a bit further and introduce the three series I like. About Corduroy Mansions, what would describe the series best than an extract itself? It's free as the first publication occurred online (and yes, I bought the paperback version).

The Sunday Philosophy Club is another series counting to this day 8 volumes. If you're ever going to start this series I'm most envious, knowing you still have 8 to go and me 0 left!

Isabel Dalhousie is a forty-something philosopher. She likes reflecting on society, life and love, especially hers. She's divorced, but she's bright and she's very rich. In fact, so rich that she doesn't need to work. But she's addicted to philosophy. And it shows up in her thoughts and actions, which are no Bridget Jones'. She's also a philanthropist and often try to help out her niece, friends and even strangers. Sometimes, she solves enigma, but the main interest is herself as the intrigue of the books.

44 Scotland Street is a bit of an auberge espagnole, meaning the action is set up in a building where people from various background live. There is Pat, a young female student, whose inner quest only just begins with volume one. There is this very show-off sporty-not-brainy Bruce Anderson, who thinks batting the eyes is enough to secure female devotion, and shy Matthew who's a lonely rich young man, always ill at ease with the opposite sex. There is Bertie, a 5 years old little genius, fluent in Italian and gifted in playing saxophone, but mostly fed up with his mother's determination to make him acting like an adult so soon. There is Cyril, a very clever dog who drinks beer and belongs to Angus Lordie, a free-spirited artist, and there is Domenica, an ageing anthropologist who doesn't admit having a crush for Angus. The mix is simply delightful. To be continued...