How to put a fresh twist on that hoary old chestnut, the love story? McCall Smith's solution is to draw upon the romance of rail travel. In Trains and Lovers , four strangers find themselves sharing a booth on a train journey from Edinburgh to London and pass the four-hour trip by recounting and recollecting stories about how love has touched their lives. Unfortunately this narrative framing device is so contrived as to make it almost impossible to suspend disbelief.
That said, there is no getting away from the fact that McCall Smith is a born storyteller. He interweaves four sweet vignettes with ease and carries the reader along with the deceptive simplicity of his prose. He is at his best when dealing with the story of an American, David, who has harboured an unrequited love for his friend Bruce since the summers they spent together as teenagers. The tale is quietly told, and all the more poignant for it.
Not as satisfying as The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels, but a pleasant enough way to while away a train journey.
