Corduroy Mansions

A Novel

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

Length: 11 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency comes this serialized novel—reminiscent of his acclaimed 44 Scotland Street.

In London’s Pimlico neighborhood lies a tenement described in architectural guides as “a building of no interest whatsoever”. But the residents of Corduroy Mansions—including a literary agent, a wine merchant, a thoroughly unpleasant member of Parliament, and a vegetarian dog—are a rather fascinating lot. There’s the vitamin evangelist, the psychoanalyst, the art student with a puzzling boyfriend, and Freddie de la Hay, the Pimlico terrier who insists on wearing a seat belt and is almost certainly the only avowed vegetarian canine in London.

Filled with the ins and outs of neighborliness in all its unexpected variations, Corduroy Mansions showcases the life, laughter, and humanity that have become the hallmarks of Alexander McCall Smith’s work.

©2010 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"[A] daily laugh-out-loud treat on my journey into work.” ( Bookseller)

"Smith's charming first in a new series offers a variation on his 44 Scotland Street books, centering on the eccentric occupants of Corduroy Mansions and their offbeat doings....[T]he wry humor he elicits from the collisions of lives and their repercussions will bring smiles to the faces of many readers." ( Publishers Weekly)

Disapointed

What disappointed you about Corduroy Mansions?

This series is just not as funny or enjoyable as the Love Over Scotland series.

What could Alexander McCall Smith have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

It was not funny. In all of the relationships one of the persons was so unable to voice their wants and desires. Everyone was either too passive or too bossy!

Which character – as performed by Simon Prebble – was your favorite?

I liked William and his family situation and dog.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

William and the dog.

Less than mundane

The characters are not developed; one is inconsistent (Eddie) Their stories are uninteresting. Boring things happen to boring people. Then they celebrate.

Couldn't get through it.

I love Alexander McCall Smith. But this book has none of the memorable characters as #1 Ladies Detective. A man has a mid-life crisis and buys a new pair of shoes.

Total lack of a story

No idea what the admiring reviews are all about. Were it not for the excellent reading Prebble gives, the book would be a return for me. Nothing really happens. There is humor, thank goodness, but very little of it. Too little to justify a plotless book.

Random

I thought this book was a random walk through the characters lives. I usually enjoy Smith's work but, I am not motivated to explore anymore of the series.

Lacks Plot and Character Development

I think Alexander McCall Smith should stick to the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. Everything else he writes is dismal. What plot exists in this novel is left hanging at the end. The characters are one-dimensional and uninteresting with the exception of the dog. Don't waste your time.

I'm surprised to be so disappointed!

What disappointed you about Corduroy Mansions?

After listening for about an hour, I could not find a character to like or dislike, could only keep thinking

What do you think your next listen will be?

Perhaps some other

What didn’t you like about Simon Prebble’s performance?

He's a fine reader, and I've enjoyed hearing him in other recordings. I just didn't like what he was reading!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment, and annoyance that I had used one of my Audible.com book credits, spent time downloading and burning the book to CDs, and now all of that's wasted. I can't even listen to the whole thing.

Any additional comments?

Still an Alexander McCall Smith fan, but will steer clear of this series.

Ugh!

Someone said it was funny. It's not funny. Somehow I got the impression it would be cute and light hearted. It's not. It's boring. Boring. Boring.

I bought a recycled story . . . .

Would you try another book from Alexander McCall Smith and/or Simon Prebble?

Yes, but I regret the Corduroy Mansions purchase as it shares many of the story lines of 44 Scotland Street.

What do you think your next listen will be?

From the Alexander McCall line, I'll stick to the "Number One Ladies Detective Agency."

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Sure.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The story was fine, I had simply read most of it when I read the "44 Scotland Street" books. I don't know which series came first, but there's no need to pay twice for a recyled story.

Any additional comments?

Nope.

yawn

This book was boring. It is the only audible book I did not finish.