Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780307387066
ISBN: 0307387062
Label: Anchor
Manufacturer: Anchor
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 368
Publication Date: 2008-11-11
Publisher: Anchor
Release Date: 2008-11-11
Studio: Anchor

The latest completely charming installment in the bestselling 44 Scotland Street series.

There is never a quiet moment on 44 Scotland Street. In The World According to Bertie, Pat deals with the reappearance of Bruce, which has her heart skipping—and not in a pleasant way. Angus Lordie's dog Cyril has been taken away by the authorities, accused of being a serial biter. Unexpectedly, Domenica has offered to help free him. As usual, Big Lou is still looking for love, and handing out coffee and advice to the always contemplative Matthew. And Bertie, the beleaguered Italian-speaking six year old prodigy, now has a little brother, Ulysses, who Bertie hopes will help distract his pushy mother Irene.

Beautifully observed, cleverly detailed, The World According to Bertie is classic McCall Smith and a treat for his avid fans as well as his first time readers.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Blissfully hilarious
Comment:
OK--Up front, let me admit that I'm one of those people who think Alexander McCall Smith can do no wrong. His multiple series, that run the gamut from Botswana to Scotland to Germany and beyond, are simply the best satirical writing and exploration of the modern human condition that I have come across in years (and I would be glad to know of other living writers of this ilk, as there cannot be enough of them to service the world in its current complicated and often melancholy state).

Having said that, I would like to earnestly praise and recommend without reservation the latest installment in the "44 Scotland Street" series. In many ways, McCall Smith's jolliest and broadest examination of human foibles, "The World According to Bertie" continues the chronicles of the lives of Scotland Street inhabitants (and former inhabitants) in the most entertaining way. Front and center in this work is six-year old Bertie Pollock, Italian-spouting, sax-playing prodigy, who desperately wants a break from his over-bearing Yuppie mother so that he can get on being a normal six-year old boy. Bertie has a new baby brother to contend with as well as the continuing over-attention of his mother and her self-important confederate, Dr. Hugo Fairbairn, child psychotherapist. The author gives Bertie and the members of his world the best lines and the most laughs. And the laughs are big!

Also in the returning cast of the story is Angus Lordie and his sidekick, Cyril the hound; Pat McGregor, twenty-something university student, part-time art gallery attendant and quasi-love interest of Matthew, earnest, well-meaning and socially clueless owner of self-same gallery; and Domenica MacDonald, anthropologist, newly returned from field research on Asian CD pirates. The vapid, but drop-dead handsome, Bruce Anderson reappears in this book and sets about upsetting new female lives. Antonia Collie, historian of Scottish saints and aging sex goddess and Big Lou, great-hearted coffee-house proprietor also play supporting roles in this book. Finally, providing an important backdrop for the story line, as always, is the city of Edinburgh--the author's beloved home and social laboratory for much of what transpires in the Scotland Street series.

As fans of McCall-Smith will know, this book's story line flows through a series of short episodes. All characters get their episodic due and, as usual, the last page leaves no doubt that these stories will continue in other installments. "The World According to Bertie" is wonderful entertainment and should not be missed even if you haven't read other books in the series.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The World According to Bertie
Comment: Alexander McCall Smith is a versatile and talented writer. I have enjoyed each of the series I have read: The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (my fav) 44 Scotland Street and the Sunday Philosophy Club.
I have never been disappointed with the service or time line on any book I have ordered thru Amazon.com and the used book sellers.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Charm in Spades
Comment: The wonderful thing about this series is that it keeps getting better with every installment. Filled with warmth and wit the folks of 44 Scotland Street continue their utterly charming lives. Pat ponders Matthew, Angus laments Cyril, vain Bruce arrives back in town, and Bertie once again struggles valiantly not only against his overbearing mother, but Olive as well.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Back in good form
Comment: I was happy to read this fourth installment in the 44 Scotland Street books. It was back to the form of the 1st book. VERY enjoyable!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The World According to Bertie
Comment: I've read all of Alexander McCall Smith's books written for adults. "The World According to Bertie" is a wonderful example of this author's intelligence, understanding, knowledge and Scottish wit.

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