Corduroy mansions : Corduroy mansions series, book 1

CORDUROY MANSIONS - Book 1 In the Corduroy Mansions series of novels, set in Londons hip Pimlico neighborhood, we meet a cast of charming eccentrics, including perhaps the worlds most clever terrier, who make their home in a handsome, though slightly dilapidated, apartment block.#160; Corduroy Mansions is the affectionate nickname given to a genteel, crumbling mansion block in Londons vibrant Pimlico neighborhood and the home turf of a captivating collection of quirky and altogether McCall-Smithian characters. Theres the middle-aged wine merchant William, whos trying to convince his reluctant twenty-four-year-old son, Eddie, to leave the nest; and Marcia, the boutique caterer who has her sights set on William. Theres also the (justifiably) much-loathed Member of Parliament Oedipus Snark; his mother, Berthea, whos writing his biography and hating every minute of it; and his long-suffering girlfriend, Barbara, a literary agent who would like to be his wife (but, then, shed like to be almost anyones wife). Theres 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. #160; 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 Smiths work.#160 CORDUROY MANSIONS - Book 1 In the Corduroy Mansions series of novels, set in London?s hip Pimlico neighborhood, we meet a cast of charming eccentrics, including perhaps the world?s most clever terrier, who make their home in a handsome, though slightly dilapidated, apartment block.?Corduroy Mansions is the affectionate nickname given to a genteel, crumbling mansion block in London?s vibrant Pimlico neighborhood and the home turf of a captivating collection of quirky and altogether McCall-Smithian characters. There?s the middle-aged wine merchant William, who?s trying to convince his reluctant twenty-four-year-old son, Eddie, to leave the nest; and Marcia, the boutique caterer who has her sights set on William. There?s also the (justifiably) much-loathed Member of Parliament Oedipus Snark; his mother, Berthea, who?s writing his biography and hating every minute of it; and his long-suffering girlfriend, Barbara, a literary agent who would like to be his wife (but, then, she?d like to be almost anyone?s wife). 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.?From the Hardcover edition Following on from the huge success of the ''44 Scotland Street'' series, Alexander McCall Smith 'moved house' to London's Pimlico and into his brand new daily novel, ''Corduroy Mansions''. The building itself - described in a guide to the architecture of the area as 'a building of no interest whatsoever' - is believed to have been built as an asylum, or possibly a school, or maybe it was a mansion block - nobody is very sure. In fact, nothing of its history is known, although it does have some nice Arts and Craft features. At the moment it is inhabited by an assortment of characters - including amongst others a literary agent, a wine merchant, one accountant, possibly the first ever nasty Liberal Democrat MP and his long-suffering PA, and a small dog in his prime. At least one character is on a voyage of self-discovery, which has taken him to Cheltenham so far. Although Corduroy Mansions is a nickname, it is now recognized by the Post Office.