The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel

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A collective sigh of relief must have been heard from many readers lips when she left Scotland Street. The last chapter ran today in The Scotsman. It’s becoming a fall tradition of mine to read along as Alexander McCall Smith publishes one chapter a day in the newspaper from September through November, and then releases the book at the end. Some of the storylines in this particular instalment were a little jarring. Still, at least there was no Nudist association or Duke of Johannesburg storyline.

The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel | The The Enigma of Garlic: A 44 Scotland Street Novel | The

Can we really believe that both Bruce and Irene have reformed into more humble, reasonable human beings? At least Olive is still as odious as ever! But poor Bertie. I hope he stands up to her before too long. At least he has his friend Ranald and the prospect of Glasgow to look forward to.The relative peace and tranquillity of 44 Scotland Street is about to be disrupted. Irene is to return for a two-month stay, consigning Bertie to a summer camp. Not satisfied with that, she somehow manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her friend, the hagiographer, Antonia Collie. The story begins with a celebration of the wedding of Big Lou and Fat Bob. She is too busy running her restaurant and cooking her famous bacon rolls to consider a honeymoon. Fat Bob is frequently absent. Rumours are that he is having an affair and is sighted with another woman. We learn that the busybody Italian nun, Sister Marie Fiore dei Flori de Montegna was a member of the Vatican's secret spy organization. She is determined to discover the truth about Big Bob being unfaithful and may stir up more heartache for Big Lou. I always like these books, but this one seemed unfinished …stories not as fleshed out or left at the beginning ..mainly, Irene! ..and there are touches of Bruce’s old self peeking through ..it will be a long wait, again! Domenica Macdonald mentally lauds the virtue of inaction: not fixing what isn’t broken; the electrically-changed Bruce Anderson stuns his friends by heading to Pluscarden, intent on becoming a monk; Turner Prize judge, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna reveals a radical plan likely to upset its protagonists. As always, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna is her hilariously helpful self by way of being nosy, but in doing so, resolves a huge concern for Big Lou following her wedding. Bruce’s visit to the monastery changes his life even more. Irene is a changed woman. Wait, really? We shall see, I suppose. I only wish we’d had more interaction with Bertie in this novel. The eternal seven-year-old is largely absent here, with only a few peeps into his camping (mis)adventures. What there is of Bertie, though, shows his patience and kindness, and is endearing and makes one love him even more.

The Enigma of Garlic by Alexander McCall Smith: 9780593685198

to a sleepaway camp—a most unappealing proposition. She also manages to come between the enigmatic nun, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna, and her dear friend, Antonia Collie.Bertie and Ranald are dismayed to find they can’t even escape Olive and Pansy at summer camp: “He felt that there was some cosmic plan that meant that he would never be completely free of Olive’s influence. Perhaps she was right when she said that he would, in due course, have to marry her; perhaps that was his unavoidable destiny, decreed by some indifferent Fate somewhere, perhaps even by the planets in their unchangeable rotations. If that was the case, his only hope, he had decided, was to make good his escape to Glasgow.” Poor Bertie! Every autumn, I look forward to the latest installment of 44 Scotland St. Reading each book is like sitting down with old friends to discuss what’s been going on in their lives and their spheres of influence. This latest installment was a delight. As always, Alexander McCall Smith has incorporated some tension into several of the plot lines within this book with resolutions that involve, as his plots usually do, characters who choose to act with kindness, humility, and concern for others. Even Bruce and Irene.

The Enigma of Garlic a book by Alexander McCall Smith. The Enigma of Garlic a book by Alexander McCall Smith.

Seven-year-old Bertie continues to embody goodness, often to his detriment. He attends a summer camp with his friend, Randall Braveheart MacPherson, where Olive and Pansy continue tormenting them. Olive insists that Bertie's future will include his marriage to her. Bertie fears his fate will be connected with the alignment of the stars and planets and will doom him to such a dreaded marriage. He gets in trouble when Olive endangers the group on a hike. She blames Bertie, who accepts the blame. He still regards Glasgow as a joyful promised land where he would be free of restrictions and Olive. The Enigma Of Garlic is the sixteenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street Series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. The reader is, once again, brought up to date on the lives of our favourite Edinburgh residents.When you are with somebody you love the smallest, smallest things can be so important, so amusing because love transforms the world, everything. And was that what had happened? At Big Lou’s wedding, Bertie’s nemesis, Olive reinforces her intent to make him marry her, after which she and her lieutenant, Pansy force Bertie and his best friend, Ranald Braveheart Macpherson to dance with them; then, not yet long wed, Big Lou is given cause to doubt Fat Bob’s goodness: no honeymoon, Bob frequently absent, and murmurings… People were forever digging up events that had taken place a long time ago. And what was the point in doing this if the effect was merely to poison the present?

The Enigma of Garlic (Hardcover Book Alexander McCall Smith · The Enigma of Garlic (Hardcover Book

Olive and Pansy indulge in cancel culture but are unable to get Tofu to react as intended; Irene coins the term “toxic caninity” with reference to the gold-toothed Cyril; Sister Maria-Fiore reveals a past in the Vatican’s Intelligence Service and puts it to good use in discovering the truth about Fat Bob. As for Bruce, I am left wondering how long this new persona will last. Not to be too much of a pessimist, and I do believe people can change, but … really?? The latest in the hugely popular 44 Scotland Street series from the worldwide bestselling author, Alexander McCall Smith When Irene turns up at the Scotland Street flat without advance notice, readers will be cheering Nicola on as she handles the unwelcome arrival, but that doesn’t go quite how either woman expects; Bertie is booked into summer-camp, and hopes he will be allowed a penknife; Elspeth lies to Matthew, and they both spend quite some time agonising over it. Every chapter was a little gift of philosophy, gentle humor, and kindness. I loved the theme of "change". I can honestly say that reading this book series (and this book in particular) makes me want to be a better person. I think my favorite author, Alexander McCall Smith, is just getting more profound with age.

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Little does Bertie know that his horrible mother, Irene, has returned to Edinburgh. She claims she has changed for the better. Her affair with the psychiatrist has ended. Bertie's father, Stuart, once under the domination of Irene, is now under his mother's control. His mother forbids Irene to stay in the family home. Has Irene possibly changed, and how will Bertie react to her return? I really hope Big Lou’s marriage holds up — she certainly deserves some happiness — although I have my doubts about her new husband. And I want to scream at Stuart “What the hell are you doing?” comfortable in his new surroundings and discovers that his talented patron’s shoes are all too easy to slip into. With great taste comes great responsibility.