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At the Villa of Reduced CircumstancesAlexander McCall Smith

Comic fiction

At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances

by Alexander McCall Smith

Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld remains convinced that his scholarship on Portuguese irregular verbs deserves far greater recognition. A visiting appointment at Cambridge immerses him in eccentric academic feuds that his pride and literal-mindedness do little to calm. Later, evidence that someone has borrowed his neglected masterpiece leads to an honor in Colombia and accidental involvement in a political coup. Dry and absurd, this comic academic novel suits readers who enjoy pompous but hapless protagonists, university satire, linguistic jokes, escalating misunderstandings, and travel adventures caused by an expert's inability to recognize how little control he actually has.

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Calamansi Cooler + Citrus Paloma

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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Political unrest and coup-related peril; academic rivalry and bullying; deception; travel danger; mild violence; comic adult themes.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Calamansi Cooler

Calamansi brings a lively citrus bite to a honey-sweetened sparkling cooler.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a glass with ice. Add calamansi juice and honey syrup, top with sparkling water, and stir.
  2. Garnish: Calamansi or lime wheel.
  3. Glassware: Highball glass.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Citrus Paloma

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A bright, refreshing sip suits a lively, lighthearted reading mood.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a highball glass with ice. Add tequila, grapefruit, and lime; top with sparkling water and stir.
  2. Garnish: Grapefruit or lime wedge.
  3. Glassware: Highball glass.

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