The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall SmithMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Time take to read - in and out over 4 days
Pages - 368
Publisher - Abacus
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
"The World According to Bertie" is the fourth in the series and revolves around the many colourful 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.
My Review
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.
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I love this author's Botswana series, but have only read one from another series (the first in Corduroy Mansions). I read his stand-alone La's Orchestra Saves the World and remember enjoying it, too. He's so prolific!
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