“Bertie wanted only that people should be kind to one another; but they never were. That was not the way the world was, and sometimes, as he thought about it, his small soul, composed as it was of pure goodness, felt overwhelmed by the nature of the world in which he was obliged to live.”

The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee is the seventeenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. The audio version is narrated by David Rintoul. Fans will welcome another update in the lives of the residents of 44 Scotland Street, their families, friends and associates.

Does Irene Pollock’s part-time return to Edinburgh spell the end of fun for Bertie? Luckily, Stuart’s mother, Nicola is still very much in the picture Irene almost doesn’t make it back when she partakes in cold water therapy on her own. As Irene is being sized up for the role of a fisherman’s wife in Peterhead, back in Edinburgh Nicola Pollock guiltily enjoys composing an obituary.

Seven-and-a-half-year-old Galactica MacFee arrives in Miss Campbell’s class from Stirling: the very self-assured daughter of snobbish Georgina and her neurologist husband. Galactica seems to have her life neatly mapped out, and has a criticism for everyone she meets. Bertie watches her interaction with the imperious Olive and her loyal lieutenant Pansy: trouble on the horizon!

While walking Cyril in Drummond Place Gardens late in the evening, a case of mistaken identity sees Angus Lordie privy to confidential information from a whistle-blower. In lives that sometimes lack drama, it’s hard to reject such tidbits about possible city amalgamations, and car ferries that can’t reverse and have doors at only one end.

An innocent remark from young Finlay sees Fat Bob vowing to lose weight. A personal trainer assures him they will achieve their goal, but will he really have to give up Big Lou’s mouth-watering bacon rolls? An incident during his fitness regime results in a loss of dignity and consciousness, and another bizarre side effect.

Bertie makes a case for the reintroduction of wolves in Glasgow, and when his best friend, Ranald Braveheart MacPherson’s birthday party, with Galactica, Olive and Pansy in attendance, ends in disaster, when Bertie’s denial of his engagement results in an unpalatable outcome, escape to that favourite city seems the best option.

While Matthew and Elspeth consider themselves to be exceedingly lucky to be alive and living where they do, Elspeth does wonder if this, triplets and domesticity, is to be her life. Matthew and Bruce are tempted to invest in a project promoting Pictish History awareness, and are excited to uncover a stone tablet with Pictish writing. Feeling lonely, Bruce realises that he has nobody and “it’s your own fault for being in love with yourself for so long.”

Characters muse on or discuss plenty of topics: politically correct terminology on steroids; discuss stand-offishness to Glasgow in Edinburgh; that discourtesy and aggression seem to be infecting public life; novels aimed at specific gender readers; rules about Icelandic names for children; xenoglossy; the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation; and the possible amalgamation of Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Matthew and Angus opine on conceptual art. Big Lou sympathises with the Scottish nudists: “…if you were a nudist, and you lived in Scotland, wouldn’t you complain? Temperature, rain, midges…” Matthew decides that “snorl” is one of those Scots words of which the general sense was completely, even if you had never encountered the word before and had no idea what it meant. As always, Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiore di Montagna offers aphorisms at every opportunity, often banal and sometimes blindingly obvious, but which are kindly tolerated by all who hear them.

Tradition, about which Angus states “the safest thing to do is to continue it until it is shown to cause harm to others or to impede defensible progress”, states that the final pages offer the reader a thoughtful poem. It’s no surprise that this serial novel, with its gentle philosophy and often tongue-in-cheek humour, is still hugely popular after twenty years, and more instalments are eagerly awaited.
This unbiased review is from an audio copy provided by NetGalley and Bolinda Audio.

Thank You, NetGalley for the review copy.
The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee by Alexander McCall Smith was a strange book. Strange but good. The characters were different, all of them unique and interesting. I don't quite know how to explain it. I didn't know it was part of a series. I ended up liking the characters without having read the previous books. That says something about the writing, the characters and the way the book encompasses it all.

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. In fact, I would recommend it too. It is a really different book, one I definitely endorse.

Like putting on an old pair of shoes, Alexander McCall Smiths 44 Scotland Streets latest novel in the series is like returning to a a group of old and wonderful friends you haven't seen for a while - comfortable and relaxing. Like all of this authors books I find his stories ooze calm, gentleness, wisdom and the philosophies of life no less. Bertie, as always, is a favourite, and he has a new classmate called Galactica MacFee. I was also fascinated with Sister Maria- Flora dei Flori de Montagna - the nun and we are also kept up to date with Big Lou’s love life. David Rintoul narrates this audiobook and I really enjoyed how he manages to pull off all the different characters voices and bring the authors book to life. Thank you to Netgalley and Bolinda Audio for my gifted copy.

It's always a pleasure to read a new Alexander McCall Smith book and find out what new twists and turns the lives of all my favourite characters have taken. In this latest book in the 44 Scotland Street series, Bertie and Ranald have a new classmate, Galactica MacFee, who really tests Olive's position in the class hierarchy. Irene finds a new profession, Bruce's metamorphosis after being hit by lightning continues to amaze me, and Big Lou’s husband Fat Bob attempts to make some lifestyle changes after an unintentionally hurtful comment from their foster son.

I have read all of McCall Smith's books but this is the first time I've listened to one on audio, and David Rintoul 's stellar narration really added another dimension to the book, immersing me in the voices and atmosphere of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Most surprising was the pronunciation of Irene's name, which I would phonetically spell as Ireney.. at first I thought it was a term of endearment, as she does become much more endearing in this story!

Another excellent book in this lovely gentle series set in Edinburgh. Returning to the lives of these characters is like catching up with old friends. I especially love Bertie and Ranald; Galactica was an entertaining new addition to their school. The way Alexander McCall Smith writes is always thought provoking and I enjoy his philosophy and his outlook on the world. David Rintoul does a wonderful job of narrating these books; his voices and accents are superb.

I find I’ve come up very short on a review that will do justice to this novel. It reminded me of a sort of mad cap sitcom. Very Scottish but with the Hong of an American comedy series -I do hope that’s coming across as complimentary. Short snappy entertaining chapters. The overall out take seems to be that kindness wins above all?! Very Scottish, very large amounts of local dialect that some may struggle with. Fun in abundance though. I ADORED the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bolinda Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audio book in return for an honest review.