The Exquisite Art of Getting Even
ISBN:
9781846976216
Publisher:
Polygon
Publication Date:
August 2022
In The Exquisite Art of Getting Even, the act of revenge sometimes causes people to act blindly through anger, rather than reason.
The characters in this delightful book are pushed to the point of no return and seek retribution. But retribution is not always found on the road to redemption.
On the island of Mull, it takes an incomer to make the locals realise that they need to take matters into their own hands to maintain the community’s reputation. In ‘The Principles of Soap’ the value of friendship overcomes adversity and opportunistic nepotism. In suburban Edinburgh opposing neighbours find out the hard way that the best way to deal with a canine disturbance is not to bury one’s head in the sand. And in the final tale we meet an author on the brink of public ruin who sees the error of his ways after an act of kindness saves the day.
In each of the tales in The Exquisite Art of Getting Even, revenge is a dish best served cold. Tantalising and highly amusing, these stories show off a darker side, but carry with them the author’s trademark warmth and humour.
A desire for revenge is something that every one of us must have felt at one time or another, unless, of course, we are saints – which most of us are not.
Somebody wrongs us and, as we nurse our pain and sense of injustice, we imagine the wrongdoer having exactly the same thing done to him or her – or even worse. This is revenge: the bitter bit, and it is very satisfactory, a great theme for Elizabethan drama.
Reviews
‘The stories all have McCall Smith’s characteristic charm, and make for easy and very pleasant reading. The short essays that introduce each story all invite thought. How should we behave when dealt a bad hand or experiencing injustice? Is it right to meet like with like? Sometimes it must be. Nevertheless, as in all McCall Smith’s work, we are reminded that the necessary quality in social life is kindness. Reading McCall Smith is always comforting, but there is an edge to his work too, for he does, in a quiet, well-mannered way, suggest that we look at ourselves, and that we should be as ready to judge ourselves as to condemn others; perhaps even readier’
The Scotsman
‘The wronged people in three of these nimble tales are happy to mete out ‘wild justice’ to the sources of their rage. In Monty, Tiger, Rose, Etc it’s the unapologetic owner of a boisterous dog; in The Principles Of Soap a neat plot twist sees off a nepotistic producer, while in Vengeance Is Mine, a small, moral community take a mafia-style approach to the unapologetic arrival of a gangster on the island of Mull. The final story provides a sweet coda to previous acts of comeuppance as kindness prevails’
Daily Mail
‘Very enjoyable stories crafted by an expert storyteller. Written with humour and sensitivity about that flawed and insignificant species, Humanity. I particularly liked the story with a dog in as a major character. A little bit of The Godfather in a godly part of Scotland was delicious too. You cannot go wrong with AMS. But he can see, compassionately, where we all go wrong’
Amazon FIVE STAR review
‘Five stars for a highly enjoyable read, with a good quantity of both laugh out loud moments and poignantly ponderous moments’
GoodReads FIVE STAR review
’Told with his trademark warmth and humour’
People’s Friend
‘Nicely twisty plots offer wryly wise reasons not to seek revenge. Massively entertaining and thought-provoking’
Booklist (USA edition)
‘Immediately engaging, and layered with dark humour and truths about human nature… It’s a thoroughly entertaining, satisfying collection’
Lovereading.co.uk
‘McCall Smith uses his expertise to balance his study of the moralities of revenge through his recognised wit and humour. Even in the darkest of moments, his warmth still comes through… the stories shine through. I will be returning to [this collection] time and time again for its questions and discussion over revenge’
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The Courier
‘An excellent, thought provoking book. Thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it wholeheartedly. Absolutely spot on. Treat yourselves, an ideal summer read’
Amazon FIVE STAR review
‘Charming tales of friendship, revenge and retribution’
Sixty Plus Surfers
‘This delightful collection of tales by one of Scotland’s most beloved writers shows that the art of getting even is a skill that sees kindness win over malice’
Scots Magazine
‘Incredibly enjoyable… all [of the stories] are rich in giving the reader a sense of place by evoking an almost tangible atmosphere wherever they are set in the world… Even in the darkest stories there are elements of levity and playfulness… a tremendous read’
Magazine of the University of Glasgow
