By Author Bertie's Guide to Life and Mothers

by Alexander McCall Smith

Unknown Binding

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and I have heard high praise for that series. Several years ago while at a ‘used book sale’, I spied Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers, a novel in The 44 Scotland Street Series written by Alexander McCall Smith.
This was a quick read and filled a spot in a challenge. 3 stars

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't feel good about giving a book less than a three when I continued to read and finish it. That being said, I can't remember ever NOT finishing a book once I started. But honestly, I would give it a two. I know this author and really enjoyed his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, but this one . . .
Perhaps I needed to have started with the first book in the series? But there was too much description and discussion about Scotland that lost me (unlike loving the same for Africa in the other series) and the "cuteness" and "humor" wasn't enought to sway me. I didn't see the connections among the characters. Also, being a former teacher, especially of kids Bertie's age, I always have trouble when they have kids say and do things that they wouldn't at that age.

[Janet Rosfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long hiatus, I'm back to reading the 44 Scotland Street series and this one is a delight. The story of Bertie's awful mother Irene's ill fated trip to Dubai is worth five stars alone. I roared with laughter as Irene finally got what she deserved, the plane trip from hell! Pat discovers that her father has an awful, vulgar foreign girlfriend Anichka, Big Lou becomes a foster mother to a young chap named Finley and Angus and Domenica are saddled with irritating house guests.
McCall Smith's stories are so witty and his charming and exasperating denizens of Scotland St. are so vivid and human that I always feel like I've stepped into an endlessly interesting slice of Scottish life.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this thoroughly. Especially liked the funny parts about Bruce and Matthew's remark about what to do with triplets. Loved the story the nun tells to Angus on their walk.