The world according to Bertie : The new 44 Scotland Street novel

From Publishers Weekly Smith delivers yet another delightful installment to his Scotland Street series. This time out, he focuses mostly on the irrepressible Bertie Pollock, a precocious six-year-old whose mummy, Irene, forces him to play a saxophone, converse in Italian, do yoga and see Dr. Hugo Fairbairn, a psychotherapist who looks a lot like Bertie's baby brother, Ulysses. As Bertie struggles to accommodate his nutty mummy and new brother, another crisis explodes for artist Angus Lordie, whose beloved dog, Cyril, has been thrown in the pound for biting someone. Cyril is innocent, and Angus, with Bertie's assistance, sets out to rescue Cyril before he's put down. Subplots abound, and Smith details with dependable whimsical flair the romantic progress of Scotland Street familiars Matthew, Pat and Bruce. Series fans know what to expect, and they get it by the truckload. (Nov.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From School Library Journal This fourth installment—following Love over Scotland —in New York Times best-selling author McCall Smith's (www.mccallsmith.com) "44 Scotland Street" series centers on a group of Edinburgh denizens' quirky and intriguing antics as seen through the eyes of a six-year-old boy. The book can stand alone, though listeners would benefit from meeting the characters earlier in the series. Actor/narrator Robert Ian Mackenzie's (_Freddy and Fredericka_) voice and delivery are wonderful; however, he could have done a better job distinguishing among the numerous characters. For mystery and audio collections in public libraries, especially those with previous McCall Smith titles.—Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., NJ Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Fiction

the World According To Bertie Is The Fourth In The Series And Revolves Around The Many Colorful Characters That Come And Go At No. 44 Scotland Street. Mccall Smith Handles The Characters With His Customary Charm And Deftness—the Stalwart Tory Chartered Surveyor, The Pushy Mother, And, Most Importantly In This Novel, The Beleaguered Italian-speaking Prodigy, Bertie. This Is Classic Mccall Smith—clever, Witty And Entertaining—and Beautifully Illustrated. A Chance Encounter With Armistead Maupin In San Francisco Inspired Alexander Mccall Smith To Write This Series Of Novels Based Around The Fictional No. 44 Scotland Street In Edinburgh's New Town.

the New York Times - Elsa Dixler

it Is Clear Even To An Outsider That Someone Who Knows Edinburgh Would Recognize Many People And Places In ''44 Scotland Street.'' But An Outsider Can Still Relish Mccall Smith's Depiction Of This Place ''of Angled Streets And Northern Light,'' And Enjoy His Tolerant, Good-humored Company.

Another delightful read by Alexander McCall Smith. As usual he gives you an intimate feeling of access into the lives of a broadly varied, and quite interesting group of people. I particularly love Bertie, and his most ridiculously overbearing mother. Angus and Cyril are wonderfully written characters. The fantastic Anthropologist, makes one realize life can just begin anew at 60! I strongly suggest starting with book 1, 44 Scotland Street. I’m enjoying this series immensely. Perhaps as much as his Isobel Dalhousie series, which were very interesting and full of interesting philosophical insights (her being a philosopher). Of course, this series also contains a fair amount of philosophy as is Mr. McCall Smith is known for (although, a bit of it from the standpoint of Berties Freudian analyst...) 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 skippingand 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 There is never a dull moment on 44 Scotland Street. Here, Pat deals with the reappearance of Bruce, which has her heart skipping -- and not in a pleasant manner. Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril, has been taken away by the authorities, accused of being a serial biter -- and surprisingly, Domenica has offered to help free him. Big Lou is still looking for love, though he tends to hand out advice to others. And Bertie, the beleaguered six-year-old prodigy, now has a little brother, Ulysses, who he can only hope will distract his mother The changing lives and relationships of the colorful and eccentric denizens of Edinburgh's 44 Scotland Street--including Pat, Domenica, Angus Lordie, Big Lou, and Mathew--are seen through the eyes of six-year-old Bertie, the Italian-speaking prodigy and saxophonist, who is hoping that his new baby brother, Ulysses, will distract his mother Irene. (General Fiction) Six-year-old Bertie and artist Angus Lordie join forces to rescue Lordie's beloved dog Cyril from the pound in this fourth charming installment in the bestselling 44 Scotland Street series