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Books : The World According to Bertie (44 Scotland Street 4)
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Rating: 
- Gentle satire on self-absorption
This series has been criticised elsewhere for the characters being too self-absorbed, but for me that is half the pleasure. A lot of people are self-absorbed, and it is fascinating to see that people are often really thinking about themselves and their own concerns when they appear to be thinking something completely different - perhaps most clearly seen in the clash of egos of Bruce and Julia, where Bruce is so caught up in his own self-centred plans that it doesn't occur to him that Julia, in pursuit of 'good stock', is just as single-minded.
My only criticism is that although this is called 'The World According to Bertie' there isn't quite enough of Bertie in it for me, though his essay, from which the title is taken, is well worth waiting for. I would have liked more of Irene and Bertie because Irene is so awful that reading about her always makes me feel that maybe I'm not doing such a bad job as a mother after all!
Rating:
- Return of old friends
This is like coming home to old friends and listening to their tales of what they have been doing for the last few months. I am biased of course as I live in Edinburgh and know that area extremely well, so a lot of the fun is picking out the places the characters go to and imagining them walking up and down the streets of Edinburgh. Alexander McCall Smith writes in a fairly ponderous, careful way, but he draws the characters so delightfully that you really feel about them and what they go through. All the old characters are there, Pat, Matthew, Big Lou, Bertie and his dreadful mum, Angus and Domenica - along with all their problems and joys. The book is completely charming and thoughtful in turn, with flashes of humour and fun showing through as well. The only bit that didn't quite satisfy me was the bit about Bertie's little brother, Ulysses, when he gets left behind at Valvona and Crolla and the family go to pick him up at council agency. Although I'm sure the agency probably does exist, I can't really see that they would just hand over a baby without checking extremely carefully that it was exactly the right baby and right sex!
But all in all, this is a delightful read - I think this is my most favourite series of books by Alexander McCall Smith - and hopefully he will keep on with this series!
Rating: - Can't put it down!
I love the 44 Scotland Street series and this book does not disappoint. The characters are developing well and the plotlines are quirky as ever.
- Gentle satire on self-absorptionThis series has been criticised elsewhere for the characters being too self-absorbed, but for me that is half the pleasure. A lot of people are self-absorbed, and it is fascinating to see that people are often really thinking about themselves and their own concerns when they appear to be thinking something completely different - perhaps most clearly seen in the clash of egos of Bruce and Julia, where Bruce is so caught up in his own self-centred plans that it doesn't occur to him that Julia, in pursuit of 'good stock', is just as single-minded.
My only criticism is that although this is called 'The World According to Bertie' there isn't quite enough of Bertie in it for me, though his essay, from which the title is taken, is well worth waiting for. I would have liked more of Irene and Bertie because Irene is so awful that reading about her always makes me feel that maybe I'm not doing such a bad job as a mother after all!
Rating:
- Return of old friendsThis is like coming home to old friends and listening to their tales of what they have been doing for the last few months. I am biased of course as I live in Edinburgh and know that area extremely well, so a lot of the fun is picking out the places the characters go to and imagining them walking up and down the streets of Edinburgh. Alexander McCall Smith writes in a fairly ponderous, careful way, but he draws the characters so delightfully that you really feel about them and what they go through. All the old characters are there, Pat, Matthew, Big Lou, Bertie and his dreadful mum, Angus and Domenica - along with all their problems and joys. The book is completely charming and thoughtful in turn, with flashes of humour and fun showing through as well. The only bit that didn't quite satisfy me was the bit about Bertie's little brother, Ulysses, when he gets left behind at Valvona and Crolla and the family go to pick him up at council agency. Although I'm sure the agency probably does exist, I can't really see that they would just hand over a baby without checking extremely carefully that it was exactly the right baby and right sex!
But all in all, this is a delightful read - I think this is my most favourite series of books by Alexander McCall Smith - and hopefully he will keep on with this series!
Rating:
- Can't put it down!I love the 44 Scotland Street series and this book does not disappoint. The characters are developing well and the plotlines are quirky as ever.