Sophia C. reviewed on 12/24/2010 + 289 more book reviews

I admit I was drawn to my first Alexander McCall Smith book by the cute title and the dog on the cover. Its a moments-in-the-lives-of novel centering on the residents of the title building in the Pimlico section of central London, including the new canine resident, Freddie de la Hay. Hes an ex-Heathrow sniffer dog sacked for gender inequality in the ranks whose subsequent owner has trained him to be vegetarian and wear seat belts, now acquired by the wine merchant who lives in the top floor flat. Those seeking a structured story arc or a sense of closure should look elsewhere. I found it utterly charming, delivering astute observations on life through funny incidents which do not poke fun at the object of the lesson in 100 easily digestible chapters. In fact, the only snark in the book is the MP named Oedipus whose psychoanalyst mother has decided to write an unflattering biography of her son. Im looking to future installments.

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