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The Exquisite Art of Getting Even

Including tales set on Mull, where it takes a newcomer to make the locals realize they have the means to maintain their island’s reputation, and in Edinburgh, where opposing neighbours must work out how to deal with conflict, each of McCall Smith's characteristically charming short stories invites the reader to reflect upon how best to deal with a bad hand.
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RRP £12.00

£6.99

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Product information:
  • Publisher: Polygon
  • Year: 2022
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 208pp
  • Illustrated: No
  • Dimensions: 204x136mm
  • ISBN: 9781846976216
  • Condition: New
  • Weight: 0.3kg
Product code:
535857
Product information
Full publisher description
The characters in this delicious book are pushed to the point of no return and seek retribution. But how we get even is not always the best 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 method of dealing 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.



These four tales show that the exquisite art of getting even is a skill that sees kindness win over malice. Tantalising and amusing, these stories show off a darker side but carry with them the author's trademark warmth and humour.
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