Elizabeth B. (Cattriona) -
Helpful Score: 2
While I have enjoyed all of McCall Smiths books up to now (the Ladies Detective Agency, 44 Scotland St, etc), this is the first one I not only did not on enjoy, but was unable to finish. Some of you will note in the book's description, "He ends up operating on a friend's dachshund to dramatic and unfortunate effect." While the scene was no doubt intended to add to the comedic irony of the protagonist's situation, and only a fictional dog was operated upon (yes, it is only a book, and fiction at that), this particular scene was so distasteful and distressing to us that both my husband and myself no longer wished to continue reading. McCall Smith has a creative mind and wicked sense of humor which he puts to good use, but if you are a lover of "sausage dogs" or other animals, you may not find this to your taste.
Gretchen F. (MOMSBOOKS) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 64 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Not as "insane and rarefied" as the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency...but it just may be a matter of taste!
Lorraine T. (mysterylover) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 318 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as the Ladies detective agency series, but admirers of McCall Smith's writing style will enjoy it.
Jules H. reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
From an avid reader of the ladies' detective agency and von Igelfeld series: I found this book extremely disappointing. I am a researcher myself and have lived in Germany for significant periods so I enjoyed the genre and McCall-Smith's exploitation of stereotypes of both academia and Germany. This book was absurd as usual but this time it was overdone to a point where it did not work. I did not even bother to finish the book.
Sonja K. (KolbeMom) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Not for the overly sensitive - but one of the funniest books I've read in a long time. I laughed until I cried, but then I have a very macabre sense of humor. It ends abrubtly, and is in many parts completely absurd - but great fun nonetheless. I found it much funnier than Portugese Irregular Verbs. Note: These are nothing like his #1 Ladies series.
Natalie F. (dogwithbooks) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
After reading the parts where the dog's legs were being cut off, I just couldn't read anymore. It wasn't funny and it made me very sad. This was a truly horrible book.
Hermine R. (herlibrary) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 76 more book reviews
A fun read
This book is really funny, but I give it an 8 because my favorite books by Smith are the ones in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
if you want to laugh this book is for you. great story from a great author
Vanessa F. (ataraxia) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 19 more book reviews
If you laughed at Monty Python and the Holy Grail's "It's only a flesh wound" episode, then you will probably not be too offended by this book. It delves into the academic jealousy and manuvering that is on par with Machiavelli. It contains fine examples of thinking on your feet and bluffing. It even has a happy ending, although as a Dachshund owner, I don't think that I could give up my doggie so easily.
Lisa P. (FamFatale) -
This book shows off Alexander McCall Smith's warped sense of humor.
Jess F. reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 5 more book reviews
It's a quick read, poking fun at some academic stereotypes. Not bad if you've got an hour to kill. I was hoping for a little more from one of my favorite authors, though.
Charming and endearing
K E M. (Rampallion) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 158 more book reviews
A silly but entertaining novel chronicling the adventures and mishaps of a pompous professor. From the author of _The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency._ A quick read--I finished this in one sitting.
Sandra N. (sneuse) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 23 more book reviews
Very funny - and easy to read in one sitting.
Nancy B. reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 36 more book reviews
Very different story. Not a mainstreamed storyline. Well written and entertaining.
Corrina T. (cocoamomo) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 83 more book reviews
This is book 2 in a series about Professor Dr. von Igelfeld. It is a fun series and this book, in particular had me laughing out loud!!!
Leah G. (LeahG) reviewed The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (Professor Dr. von Igelfeld, Bk 2) on + 320 more book reviews
I found the adventures of Professor Dr. von Igelfeld hilarious.
