|
|
Post by westender on Oct 8, 2010 12:08:44 GMT -1
Alexander McCall Smith. I've only just discovered him, and I haven't done any of the Precious Ramotswe stuff, I've only done his Edinburgh stuff.
What a fuddyduddy old snob he is (prolly as passionate however about Edinburgh as I would be about Glasgow, albeit in a far more sniffy way.) But certain things crop up again and again in his books. If I see one more instance of him describing some young man's hair being "en brosse", I'll fling the bliddy thing oot the windae.
The phrase is everywhere in his writing, and it's really... mannered. And annoying. Do I even know what TF "en brosse" is?? Naw, I bloody well don't. Why does he go on and on about it?
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Henry Rawlinson on Oct 8, 2010 13:20:05 GMT -1
I think it means like the mop on top of Bros. 80s pop sensation.
|
|
|
|
Post by westender on Oct 8, 2010 13:42:33 GMT -1
You made that up.....
...didn'tcha??
|
|
|
|
Post by peony on Oct 8, 2010 23:04:31 GMT -1
En brosse is like a crew cut or . . . like a brush. I madly adore Alexander McCall Smith.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2010 23:33:25 GMT -1
|
|
|
|
Post by peony on Oct 9, 2010 2:23:12 GMT -1
You have to admire anyone who just gives it hell.  ) |
|
|
|
Post by westender on Oct 9, 2010 21:44:10 GMT -1
En brosse is like a crew cut or . . . like a brush. I madly adore Alexander McCall Smith. But... but.. But that's not attractive!! At all! Razzed herr?? Dear dear no. Have you read any of his Edinburgh stuff, peony? |
|
|
|
Post by peony on Oct 11, 2010 19:16:20 GMT -1
Yes, I did. I really only liked the little boy who was forced to wear pink overalls.
I can't say that the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency will every go down as great literature, but I think that uncomplicated writing is very good.
My boys used to have crew cuts. I used to touch the tops of their heads with the flat palm of my hand. It felt just like the old upholstery of the old car my grandfather drove.
|
|
|
|
Post by westender on Oct 11, 2010 23:24:12 GMT -1
Yes, I did. I really only liked the little boy who was forced to wear pink overalls. I reckon that's the one I've just finished! - 44 Scotland Street! ...The one with the "Peploe?" painting? The wean's name was Bertie and his mammy forced him into playing saxophone and speaking Italian even tho he was only 5... but I reckon that's Edinburgh mammies for ye. Gawd help me but I'm really enjoying his stuffy stuckupness as well. < clapclapclap > CLASSIC Peony post! Brilliant, missus. Personally, I'd like to hear more about that granda of yours.  |
|
|
|
Post by lachlan on Sept 23, 2012 23:37:30 GMT -1
Ages since I have been here but this thread is worth the price of admission. I had no idea who yees were talking about until "The Ladies Detective Agency"...not sure I ever finished the book I was reading but I do agree with Peony (the simplicity) also remember parts really, what, enthralling (?) no, perhaps appealing.
And I just read westies comment as to "classic" Peony...and yes she is......Stenger was lucky to have met her, think how richer his writing would have been had he met her in his early years; mind he wid have probably fallen for her and never written a word, he'd a been late for work everyday but they wid have had a very large family.
|
|
|
|
Post by bormes on Sept 24, 2012 10:36:27 GMT -1
Quite like William McIllvaney's detective novels and his writing.
|
|
|
|
Post by ozneil on Sept 24, 2012 20:06:31 GMT -1
There was a series on TV here called the No1 Ladies Detective Agency set in Botswana. Is that based on theses books?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2012 22:02:24 GMT -1
Yep. Terrible, wasn't it? ;D As for Willie McIlvanney, he's MY kind of a guy Great writer, an observer of men, a watcher, quiet politician, and all round good guy, and frankly, THE most stylish man you could meet. Roguish, rakish, and still utterly gorgeous at 70. Not only does he write novels, he's also a playwright of note. You might like this video clip, Bormes, where he plays the "Father' in James Grant's song 'My Father's Coat'. Totally brilliant casting. So VERY West of Scotland...and pretty dark, so if easily offended then AVOID. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jSCfs42i0Q |
|
)
