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

OK--Up front, let me admit that I'm one of those people who think Alexander McCall Smith can do no wrong. His multiple series, that run the gamut from Botswana to Scotland to Germany and beyond, are simply the best satirical writing and exploration of the modern human condition that I have come across in years (and I would be glad to know of other living writers of this ilk, as there cannot be enough of them to service the world in its current complicated and often melancholy state). Having said that, I would like to earnestly praise and recommend without reservation the latest installment in the "44 Scotland Street" series. In many ways, McCall Smith's jolliest and broadest examination of human foibles, "The World According to Bertie" continues the chronicles of the lives of Scotland Street inhabitants (and former inhabitants) in the most entertaining way. Front and center in this work is six-year old Bertie Pollock, Italian-spouting, sax-playing prodigy, who desperately wants a break from his over-bearing Yuppie mother so that he can get on being a normal six-year old boy. Bertie has a new baby brother to contend with as well as the continuing over-attention of his mother and her self-important confederate, Dr. Hugo Fairbairn, child psychotherapist. The author gives Bertie and the members of his world the best lines and the most laughs. And the laughs are big! Also in the returning cast of the story is Angus Lordie and his sidekick, Cyril the hound; Pat McGregor, twenty-something university student, part-time art gallery attendant and quasi-love interest of Matthew, earnest, well-meaning and socially clueless owner of self-same gallery; and Domenica MacDonald, anthropologist, newly returned from field research on Asian CD pirates. The vapid, but drop-dead handsome, Bruce Anderson reappears in this book and sets about upsetting new female lives. Antonia Collie, historian of Scottish saints and aging sex goddess and Big Lou, great-hearted coffee-house proprietor also play supporting roles in this book. Finally, providing an important backdrop for the story line, as always, is the city of Edinburgh--the author's beloved home and social laboratory for much of what transpires in the Scotland Street series. As fans of McCall-Smith will know, this book's story line flows through a series of short episodes. All characters get their episodic due and, as usual, the last page leaves no doubt that these stories will continue in other installments. "The World According to Bertie" is wonderful entertainment and should not be missed even if you haven't read other books in the series.

The wonderful thing about this series is that it keeps getting better with every installment. Filled with warmth and wit the folks of 44 Scotland Street continue their utterly charming lives. Pat ponders Matthew, Angus laments Cyril, vain Bruce arrives back in town, and Bertie once again struggles valiantly not only against his overbearing mother, but Olive as well.

I've read all of Alexander McCall Smith's books written for adults. "The World According to Bertie" is a wonderful example of this author's intelligence, understanding, knowledge and Scottish wit.

Although Bertie is the only one named in the title of this book, all of the 44 Scotland Street regulars are here. The title refers to a charming essay that Bertie was asked to write in school. I loved this book! It is far and away the best in the series so far. To begin with, the book, at 343 pages, is long enough to allow for deeper development of the characters. The plots have a time to work themselves out. Every character gets full play. And there are some interesting plots and surprises this time around. There are some funny moments which actually had me laughing out loud. But, there is also a lot thoughtfulness that went into this book as well. There are many gentle lessons the author shares with us. He laments all the killing that goes on in the world. He wishes for more human kindness. He asks us to see the world through the eyes of a child like Bertie. At one point, while discussing the theme of kindness, Domenica offers Angus this quote from Auden: "If equal affection cannot be Let the more loving one be me." McCall Smith suggests that this sentiment is precisely what we all need in life to guide us. This is really a wonderful book, with both an entertaining story and words of wisdom to ponder. Highly recommended!

Please, if you haven't read any of the novels in the 44 Scotland Street series, you should immediately go order and read 44 Scotland Street and then move on to Espresso Tales and Love Over Scotland before reading The World According to Bertie. Before making that decision, let me explain a little about the series. It began as a serial novel in The Scotsman newspaper. As a result, the writing is broken up into little vignettes that are loosely tied to each other by the relations the characters have with each other. There's no doubt about it, Bertie Pollock makes this series work. He is the young (perpetually six so far), and blameless, example of what we all aspire to be . . . honest, fair, serious, humble, and considerate. Bertie has a problem (and we have a source of humor) in Bertie's mum, Irene, who wishes to make Bertie into a PC version of what a 21st century boy should be . . . despite Bertie's preferences and instincts to the contrary. As a result, Bertie's bedroom is painted pink, his mother encourages him to play with girls rather than boys, he takes Italian, saxophone, and yoga lessons, and he sees a psychotherapist. Irene also organizes his life . . . over much. In this book, Irene decides that she wants to encourage Bertie to play with Olive, his nemesis at school. The consequences reverberate throughout the book. In addition, Bertie's little brother, Ulysses, is someone Irene wants Bertie to have a close relationships with. Bertie finds an unexpected surprise while changing Ulysses' diapers that reveal fundamental flaws in his parents. Bertie also has questions about the birds and the bees . . . but not the ones you expect. Another major theme in the book is the genuine concern that the painter Angus Lordie has for his dog, Cyril, who faces legal proceedings for biting. You'll notice that no one in the novel cares for another human being nearly as much. Big Lou's boyfriend is tied up in a Jacobite group and is devoted to Bonnie Prince Charlie. After flaming out in London, Bruce is back and quickly puts the touch on an adoring young woman. Pat notices him . . . and finds she still feels excited. Domenica is finding it very annoying to have her friend Antonia living across the hall. Antonia learns to communicate with her Polish builder in ways she hadn't expected. Matthew still drinks a lot of coffee and feels like he needs to make changes in his romantic life. He also develops a bit of whimsy when it comes to modern art. For me, the parts where neither Bertie nor Angus were present didn't work nearly as well. Without a lot of those two, this would have been a four-star book. The humor was aimed in more directions than usual . . . and touched on some very sensitive (and thus, very funny) topics that I didn't expect to find in the book. Two of the scenes involving Irene are ones that I'll laugh about for the rest of my life. Enjoy!