Sphinx: from Pianos and Flowers

by Alexander McCall Smith

In this short story from Alexander McCall Smith’s Pianos and Flowers, inspired by a photograph from the Times of London archive, a young woman finds unexpected love while perusing Egyptian antiquities. With his indomitable charm, Alexander McCall Smith takes us behind the lens to explore the hidden life behind this photograph—a love lost and then found again—and in so doing reveals the humanity in us all.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2022

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but sweet

This is a nice short story about a woman meeting a man and then meeting another one but wishing for the first.

[Lora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this romantic short story free on the Libby app, because I wanted to see the photo that had been the author's inspiration - an old photo from the newspaper archives.

Unfortunately, the photo in the Vintage Short edition was apparently the wrong one! It shows road work (which might have been the inspiration for a supporting character in the book), not the sphinx. I had to google it afterwards to find the photo.

All in all, the story was sweet and easy to read in one sitting, but nothing special. It didn't make me want to buy the story collection, but I might end up reading one of his detective books.

[Blue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some times we lose touch. It doesn't mean we don't want to see one another. We want to see him or her badly. If the stars are with us, we will meet again. Wouldn't it feel wonderful to meet at a place where there is an Egyptian exhibit? If you don't know what to say, you can start off talking about the Sphinx or hieroglyphics. Then...

[Dessi Bradecich · Rating 3 out of 5]

A curious read

I love Alexander McCall Smith. But this vintage short was something I don't know what to make out of. The story seemed rushed; with characters not fully developed. Thinking about it I still don't know what to make out of it, but I know I did not like it as much as his other works. It is a short story that is easy to read and that's all I can say.

[PR · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little story. Not sire that the beginning fits with the rest of the 'short'.

I likEd it .It was fine. Was do looking forward to finding out how Katie and her sweater friend were getting on...Do not really understand what Margaret is character had to do with Katie and her Patterning Agency???
He has written stuff I Loved. This, I liked.

[Dail Sams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story in which a young woman moves to London to take a better job and hopes to meet a man she can love and spend her life with. She finds the man but he loses her contact info. In the meantime she meets a man who she doesn’t love but decides to settle for.

[Ellen Beato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

This was a satisfying short read with the right ending. McCall Smith's books always satisfy. They are slower paced while holding a person's interest. I enjoyed knowing the characters in this story.

[Joshua H Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

McCall Smith’s Margaret is a compelling character

I like how clearly he writes. How swiftly the story is paced. I especially like how he portrays this character’s inner battling between pragmatism and hope.

[Ashleah · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars rounded up to 4)

This was a cute historical fiction short story. The prose is written nicely.

[Eleanor Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

I'm glad the story didn't end where it seemed to be going.
Maybe true love does happen. At least for this woman.

[Daryln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

As alway, Alexander McCall Smith is a great author. His stories always are an enjoyable read and a grand way to spend reading and having some tea.

[Jennifer Sodaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Smith alway provides a charming and sweet story, which I think we all need in these times.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insight into a woman's quest to find someone, and yet, I feel more sorry for the second suitor than her.

[Lisa Teves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this short story and as a fan of Alexander McCall Smith, I wish it had been longer. When it ended I was glad Margret had a day for herself.