The World According to Bertie

Written by Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by Robert Ian Mackenzie

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 12, 2008
• ISBN: 9781436185011

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

Reviews for The World According to Bertie

[kerrlm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this more than I had expected. Smith clearly defines his characters and manages to moralize in a welcome manner. Too many authors seem to have no moral backbone.

[divinemissw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful characters doing wonderful things in a facinating way. Love it!

[lamour_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is my second novel by Smith, but it is very different from The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Still it is full of interesting characters who have some connection to 44 Scotland Street in Edinburgh. My favourite is 6 year old Bertie although it seems to me he is given tasks that would be beyond the capabilities of a boy his age. A 6 year old knowing how to busk on the streets of Paris seemed to push the envelope. Still a very entertaining read.

[doondeck · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

These characters become even more interesting as they become more familiar. I just can't wait until Bertie really shows up his mother for the fool she is.

[ruthm2010 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The usual blend of quirky characters and good humour continue to make Alexander McCall Smith's books just great fun to read.

[riverwillow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic, shame that we didn't follow Bruce to London, but other than that the adventures and misadventures of the residents and ex-residents of 44 Scotland Street are entertaining and engrossing.

[bonsam_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 3 book series was enjoyable for the most part, great style and imaginative plot sequences. Humorous look at life of a very mixed group of characters.

[Mariam Shah-Rais · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the 4th book in the Scotland St. Series. By now I am totally invested in these characters. There is a lot of cogitation and musings which might reflect the author’s pondering over various issues through his characters’ voices. There is also a bit of historical anecdotes. I cannot decide which one is more insufferable. Irene, Bertie’s mom, or Bruce, the self-satisfied opportunist narcissist? My all time favorite character is little Bertie.

[janicseblen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a fun read. Great character study. I eventually felt the characters were almost like friends of mine.

[eruntane · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is possibly the best 44 Scotland Street story yet. Bertie's adventures in Paris were fantastic! I also loved Angus Lordie's poem at the end, which I thought was really beautiful.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Book on CD performed by Robert Ian MacKenzie Book four in the 44 Scotland Street series continues the varied stories of the current (or former) residents of the apartment complex. Bertie has questions about his new baby brother, Ulysses. Angus is frantic after his beloved Cyril is “incarcerated” on a charge of biting. Bruce, Big Lou and Matthew find new love interests. And Domenica is not so sure that her friend Antonia is really a friend after the latter moves in across the hall. What I love about the ensemble series is that each book gives us just a glimpse into their lives. We pick up where the last book left off, and end with many issues still unresolved. It’s the same way we encounter casual friends, catching up when we see them, but not knowing how things will turn out once we depart. And yet, happy to see them again and catchup once more. Robert Ian MacKenzie does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobooks. He really brings all these characters to life. I particularly like how he voices Bertie. How I love that kid!

[etxgardener · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The wonderful characters are back in this the 4th novel in the 44 Scotland Street series.+ Angus Lordie's dog, Cyril, has been arrested as a biter by the authorities, Domenica is back in Scotland Street and not to happy to find that Antonia, who she sublet her apartment too when away studying the pirates in Malucca, has purchased the flat next door. Bruce is back after a not so successful sojourn in London and finds himself adrift until he meets Julia. Pat and Matthew embark on a romance, Big Lou is still looking for same after jettisoning the unsatisfactory Eddie, and Bertie, is finding no relief from his mother's endless prodding even though there is a new baby in the house. And why does that baby look so much like Dr. Fairbairn?As usual, the author has created a world of good friends, gentle people (even gangster Lard O'Connor), and problems that always seem to be worked out in a most satisfactory manner. Sometimes I wish I could live in this world full time.

[lhaines56 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

How a nearly 7 year old prodigy sees the world in his tightly ordered life by his very overbearing mother.

[antt-4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Bertie & Cyril—could life be any better? I adore the 44 Scotland Street series. It's as charming as the Scots.

[poonamsharma_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A quiet, witty book with lot of amusing observations. Matthew seems to find a life partner, Bruce is getting married, Domenica and Angus 'possibly' have a future together. ;)

[tess22_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've really enjoyed the 44 Scotland Street series so far, and was impressed overall with this fourth installment as well. There were a couple of disappointments. Child prodigy Bertie and his horrifically pushy mother Irene have always been the stand out characters and judging from the title I'd hoped they would have a more prominent role. Their storyline was particularly entertaining this time though, with Irene finding a mini-me in Bertie's awful classmate Olive.The other characters vary in how far they've developed. Pat, who was promising in the first novel, is increasingly bland. Smith doesn't seem to know what to do with her and is just recycling old material. Happily, her shy boss/friend/boyfriend Matthew, who used to be in the background and who I always liked, is now being given more attention and getting more rounded. Domenica's 'frenemy' relationship with her neighbour Antonia was another strong point, with some very amusing scenes centred on their strained meetings. I was unsure about the return of Bruce - I definitely didn't miss him in the previous book - but his egotism and complete lack of morality provided some excellent moments this time. Angus's mournful chapters seemed to drag, and I hope he gets a happier and more interesting plot next time. Of course, as you can see from my reactions, Alexander McCall Smith's real strong point is getting you involved in the lives of characters who seem like real people. Although very little happens in the Scotland Street stories (except a lot of talking and thinking) and I often wish the plot would move faster, I'm always eager to read the next chapter. I suppose that's an indication of Smith's skill in writing the original serialised newspaper story, and the eagerness to continue reading doesn't end on the final page. There were lots of interesting leads at the end of the book and I'm really looking forward to reading number 5. PLEASE let Irene fall on her face!

[clara53_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A joy, as always, a pick-me up.

[brianewilliams · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This one is not as good as the past ones. It ran out of gas in the last quarter of the book. There is however some interesting "facts" mentioned in it. I wonder whether it's true that Singapore has a navy that it keeps in Australia, or that Boliva has one that is kept in Uruguay.

[bearette24 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For a while I didn't like the 44 Scotland Street series as much as McCall Smith's other series, but this book changed my mind. The characters really came into their own. It felt like this time, he was treating the story like a real novel, and not just a newspaper serial.

[thorold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alexander McCall Smith books are always a delight, and I tend to treat them a bit like boxes of chocolates, as things to be stashed away until a suitable occasion for self-indulgence, such as an illness or a tedious journey. This one kept me chuckling merrily through a couple of hours at Manchester Airport and a KLM flight, events which probably qualify on both counts...This is the fourth novel to come out of McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street serial. It's a bit more introspective and character-based than the earlier instalments. Things do happen, but they have oddly inverted levels of significance - the mislaying of a baby is less important to the story than the possible theft of a teacup; marriage proposals accepted and rejected do little to ruffle the even tenor of Edinburgh life (one wonders how Inspector Rebus ever finds any crimes to solve in such a tranquil place...). The serial form is very evident - McCall Smith wanders off from time to time into discussions of new books or abstract philosophical ideas, or puts in little nods to other Edinburgh citizens (presumably friends and acquaintances). It may well be the discipline of writing the stories as a serial that keep his gentle ironic tone fresh and interesting, even when the characters aren't doing very much except sitting around thinking.

[libbeth · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't enjoy this as much as any of Alexander McCall Smith's other books. In fact, it has put me off reading any more Scotland Street books as Bertie's Mum annoyed me so much I can't bear to read any more about her.

[dsc73277 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another utterly delightful series of episodes from the lives of the current and former residents of 44 Scotland Street. Six year old Italian speaking and saxaphone playing Bertie continues to suffer as the subject of his mother's child-rearing project. Angus faces the prospect of life without his canine companion, Cyril, when the dog is wrongly accused of an attack. Big Lou gets a new man in her life and has to try and fit in with his Jacobite friends, and Pat and Matthew reach an important decision. The narcissistic Bruce returns too. If you liked the first three volumes, you will not be disappointed.