The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.
Literary Hound: On Alexander McCall Smith
Like many creative geniuses, Alexander McCall Smith’s literature shows a fine appreciation of things doggish. And not just doggish. One of his stories pertains directly to the dachshund.
Your humble (but sometimes vain) literary hound likes to think that the irreverent treatment of the noble badger hound in this work in the Ingelfield series reveals a tender fondness of the long bodied and short legged sausage dog. Awoof!
But if any are left in doubt as to the ability to portray the keen closeness that lies between houndish and human hearts let me direct these sceptics to the Edinburgh series, where a certain aging artist keeps company with his beloved scruffy hound — who he treats to the best dental care in town which resulted in dog and man having matching gold teeth. Awoof!
Alexander McCall Smith is the author of many novels and series of novels — including the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, a 44 Scotland Street series (which really did start off as a serial novel published in the newspaper The Scotsman), and the Sunday Philosophy Club series.
..at that moment the door opened and a man entered with Cyril on a lead. When Cyril saw Angus, he launched himself forward, as if picked up and propelled by a great gust of wind. The lead was pulled from the man’s hand, but he did not try to stop it, as he had seen Angus at his table and he understood.
Cyril bounded over the floor of the bar, a strange sound coming from his mouth, a howl of a sort that one would not have thought a dog capable of, a whoop, an almost human wail of delight. Angus rose to his feet, and with a great leap Cyril was in his arms, licking his face, twisting his body this way and that in sheer delight, still howling in between gasps for air.
In a far corner of the bar, a young man sitting quietly at a table with a friend turned and said: “You see that? You see that? That shows you — doesn’t it? — how if you’re looking for love in this life, you’d better buy yourself a dog.”
The other said: “That’s rather cynical, isn’t it?”
“Realistic, you mean,” said the first.
And they were silent for a moment, as were many in the bar who had witnessed the reunion, for they had all seen something which had touched them to a greater or lesser extent. And at least some felt as if they had been vouchsafed a vision of an important truth: that we must love one another, whatever our condition in life, canine or otherwise, and that this love is a matter of joy, a privilege, that we might think about, weep over, when the moment is right.”
Exerpt from ‘Love Over Scotland’ by Alexander McCall Smith
His works are global bestsellers and are in the course of being translated into more than 30 different languages.
He has also enjoyed success with the Von Igelfield trilogy, of which the Finer Points of Sausage Dogs is part.
Alexander McCall Smith achieved recognition for his work in 2004 when he was presented with the ‘Author of the Year’ award by both the British Book Awards and the Booksellers Association.
I thoroughly recommend all of Alexander McCall Smith’s works, which are both simple and profound.
To my absolute delight, his writings are simple and flowing — sympathetic and tender — rather than being of a more studied simplicity.
And his depth, well, his depth is really deep.
SuperWoof to Alexander McCall Smith and all his family and friends!
Gggrwooof! Archie
Posted 10 Feb 07
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