The World According to Bertie

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Robert Ian MacKenzie

Length: 14 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

Listen to all of our 44 Scotland Street titles.

©2008 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2008 Recorded Books, LLC

A cut above the other stories

while the narrator is good, his breathing sounds, including deep inspiration and other sounds should have been deleted from the mix.
Perhaps The narrator has no control over the ability to remove the offending sounds but they reflect poorly upon the narrator who is otherwise good.
The plot in chapter 7 and 8 caught me off guard

Best one yet!

Where does The World According to Bertie rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Number 1

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bertie is my favorite because he has more sense than anyone and he says it like it is.

Which scene was your favorite?

Whenever Bertie talks about his baby brother looking like the psychiatrist about whom he thinks is mad. He's really onto his mother and hopefully this will finally put her in her place.

If you could take any character from The World According to Bertie out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Mathiew because he needs some good advice.

Any additional comments?

At first, I thought this series would be slow and boring. Not so! I have changed my mind as I go through the series and now can't wait to hear the next one. The reader is very pleasant to listen to.

Bertie and co

Funny, entertaining! No ugly murders or mayhem! Love these stories.....!Bertie, Angus, Dominica, Pat, Matthew and co, in Edinburgh! Fun.

I thoroughly loved it!

All of the characters are well drawn and make me wish I knew them, with particular fondness for Bertie and Cyril. And the narrator makes the story all the better. This story, as with those in the series that came before, are a light and comfortable read that lingers pleasantly.

This series never gets old.

Would you listen to The World According to Bertie again? Why?

Absolutely. I've listened to the first installments several times. I laugh out loud each time.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Surely everyone answers "Bertie" - he is at once the most unbelievable and believable child I've ever read in a book for adults.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Big Lou. Always Big Lou.

Great series for light summer reading

Alexander McCall Smith had really finally found his footing in these characters. A fun read!

Lovely

These people are just great company-wry, charming and curiously and kcuriously moral. And even those shown as deeply flawd are shown thus with a comic, kindly eye. If you're looking for heart-pounding plot twists, go elsewhere.

McCall Smith's Scottish Series Delightful

Would you listen to The World According to Bertie again? Why?

Yes I would listen again because these characters worm their way into your heart. They all become old friends and acquaintances, neighbors as if you too live in Ediinburgh.

What did you like best about this story?

How the boy Bertie becomes the hero.

Which character – as performed by Robert Ian MacKenzie – was your favorite?

Angus. He's so needy and shy.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, stretch it out, make it last.

Any additional comments?

This whole series has brightened my life for years now.

Yawn...

I love this series and have gotten to know and like (or dislike) all of the characters. Alexander McCall Smith is a brilliant author and I will continue on with the series but it did drag on in several places. I couldn't bear to put it down and not find out what happens, but the hours just seemed to drag on. I listened at 1.5 x speed for the last 4 hours and it didn't take away from the reading or story! Robert Ian MacKenzie has a slow speech style anyway, so the speed increase almost made him sound "normal". Not the best in the series so far.

Don't expect Ladie Detective Agency quality

While this is a 'nice' book, like a slightly boring visit to a loved maiden aunt, this series in general does not even come close to the Ladies Detective Agency series.