The World According to Bertie: 44 Scotland Street Series (4) (The 44 Scotland Street)

Bertie Pollock, the charming six-year-old who is wise beyond his years, makes this and the entire Scotland Street series a charming and witty portrait of life in Edinburgh. Bertie, the saxophone playing, yoga-performing, psychotherapy patient ties all the other characters together and gives the story a poignant insight into what life is like for a child with the most overbearing mother imaginable.Bertie's life is not getting any better. The breakthrough that Stuart had in an earlier book seems to have vanished and I hope that McCall Smith will get help for Bertie soon. One thing is for certain: help will not come from his psychotherapist, the renowned Dr. Fairbairn, whom Bertie suspects of being criminally insane and about to be hauled off to Carstairs. The pompous doctor is more interested in Bertie's mother Irene than in his young patient, and the physical similarity between the doctor and Bertie's new little brother, Ulysses, has not gone unnoticed by the precocious child who innocently shares his discovery with his own father.The author gives us a series of sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant events loosely strung together and paints a portrait of life in Edinburgh that is light, fun, and highly original. For example, the Pollocks, who for some strange reason normally misplace their car, have now misplaced the infant Ulysses. The milquetoast art dealer Matthew proposes to not one but two women and the narcissistic Bruce (a strange mixture of ego, hair gel and preening self-satisfaction) finds himself falling into a marriage with benefits he can accept. Angus Lordie is sad indeed as his loyal companion Cyril is set for execution at the pound, but Bertie is instrumental in having Cyril exonerated. (Cyril later celebrates by plunging into fatherhood, proving that the love bug isn't biting only humans on Scotland Street.)Domenica, Big Lou, Pat, Antonia, and other staples of the series are present and their love lives examined. Will Big Lou become a part of a plot to overthrow the monarchy just to preserve her relationship with Eddie? Will Antonia discover that love means more than saying "Brick"? Will Domenica and Angus Lordie become more than friends? Will Pat find a man who combines the best of Matthew, Bruce, and Wolf?You'll want to stay tuned for more adventures in this heart-warming series that is comforting and appealing on many levels.

Alexander McCall Smith has an amazing gift for writing readable prose. His books are artfully written and always sprinkled with lucid insights. And, as usual with this series, there is a lot of very enjoyable, gentle humor. To start one of his novels is to finish it within a matter of days. In fact, my wife and I always regret the speed with which we consume his books.If you are looking for pure reading enjoyment I highly recommend The World According to Bertie, the latest 44 Scotland Street novel. WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUTThis book continues the adventures of Bertie the precocious and hilarious saxophone playing six-year-old. It also continues the story lines of the other characters in the previous three books. Although the Bertie story didn't reach a full conclusion (as I hope it doesn't for quite some time), Alexander McCall Smith did lay the groundwork for what I am sure will be an incredibly hilarious adventure in the next book.There is a lot of budding romance in this novel which makes the stories a lot of fun. Especially the story involving Matthew and his sometimes girlfriend Pat, as well as the irrepressible Bruce and his newest interest. FINAL ANALYSISWhile not as funny as  Love Over Scotland  (which so far is the best of the four) it is nevertheless extremely enjoyable and I look forward to reading many more books in the series.

Alexander McCall Smith has finally found solid footing in his characters. What started out as a thinly developed cast of characters in Book 1 has found depth, complexity, and personality in this 4th book of the series. I can't wait to start Book 5.(As an American who has spent 3 weeks touring Scotland, but only spent 3 glorious days in Glasgow and 2 in Edinburgh, I am loving being able to picture the architecture and the lay of the land through the eyes of the characters. )

Having spent a fair amount of time in Edinburgh, I am "visiting" (during my forced period of isolation) the inhabitants of the New Town (and some who reside south of the Castle), as it comforts me to remember that this gentle, civil, sometimes-stuffy, but always beautiful and intelligent place, exists. One day soon I will be there and not here--where I am forced to listen to daily briefings by a president who is everything dear Angus Lordie is not--he is a braggart, he is ostentatious, he is dishonest, and he is not a gentleman. He does not like dogs! A toast to Angus Lordie and Cyril! Thank you for my sanity.People who understand and are nodding at what I have written will enjoy the 44 Scotland Street series and treasure it.

A trip down Scotland Street is an unfailing joy. The characters are by turns vain, silly, magnanimous (except for Bruce Anderson and Irene Pollock) and always fascinating. The World According To Bertie continues the knack McCall Smith has of writing excellent novels of characters whose inner lives appear richer than their outward appearances. It was so fitting that he has Dr. Fantouse quote the fabulous Lucia for "un po di musica." It wasn't until I read that classic phrase that I realized the Lucia novels (by E. F. Benson) have a lot in common with the Scotland Street series in that not a lot happens, and what does happen is utterly predictable, trivial, yet irresistible.As the novel progressed the title made no sense. There is a hilarious essay penned by Bertie that explains all.My only wish is that narcissistic Bruce and ignorant, domineering Irene would, one day, get the knockdowns they so richly deserve. But like real life, such types are oblivious to learning any of life's lessons.I can't wait for my next trip to Scotland Street. My "bag" is already packed.

Thank you for these people to live with Alexander. Can't wait for my next encounter to begin. Great times. 😊

This is the 4th book in the series of 44 Scotland Street and in order to get the best out of it it is important to read the whole series I order. It is a fantastic read and the characters are so real and so fantastic. Worth the read!!!!

Another installment of this charming series.

great

First off I thought we were going to be getting a lot more of Bertie but I would say it was almost equal as the previous books, shared amongst the other characters. Poor Bertie is still terrorised by his mothers "good will" depsite now having a little brother he hoped her focus would be on. Poor Cyril is in trouble again, could it be the end for him this time? And how will Angus cope? We see a lot more of Angus and Domenica in this book too, Angus and the whole Cyril saga. Domenica questioning inviting her pal to come and watch her house whilst she travelled, because now Domenica is back, said friend seems to be staying put.Big Lou is a bit more involved this time around, she has found love and as we all know, the course of true love doesn't often run smoothly. Pat and Mathew find themselves with some big decisions to make, with Pat - is hers anything to do with the reappearance of non other than self loving gorgeous but shallow Bruce.Bruce is one of those characters, ugh, he will use anyone to get where and what he needs, he doesn't physically hurt them but well it is all about Bruce.There is a lot of humour and dear Lord moments, as I said before it is a bit like friends or nosey neighbours. You get to watch and see the dramas unfold and have a bit of a chuckle from your own sofa. This is book 4, I will be reading the rest in the series, I need to buy book 5 when I get home, 3.5/5 for me this time.