Love in the Time of Bertie
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-02-23 18:21:41
- Update Date：2025-09-07
- Status：finish
- Author：Alexander McCall Smith
- ISBN：0593468449
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Summary
The latest installment in the delightful 44 Scotland Street series finds all our favorite residents up to their usual hilarious hijinks。
In the microcosm of 44 Scotland Street， all of life's richness is found in the glorious goings-on of its residents。 There's Domenica， whose anthropological training has honed her observations of her neighbors; Matthew， whose growing triplets are more than a handful; Bruce， whose challenge as ever is thinking of anything but himself; and Big Lou， who may just have found her shot at romance。 And of course， there's young Bertie Pollock， whose starry-eyed explorations of Edinburgh's New Town are a touching reminder that life itself is an adventure and there's joy to be found wherever you choose to look。
In the microcosm of 44 Scotland Street， all of life's richness is found in the glorious goings-on of its residents。 There's Domenica， whose anthropological training has honed her observations of her neighbors; Matthew， whose growing triplets are more than a handful; Bruce， whose challenge as ever is thinking of anything but himself; and Big Lou， who may just have found her shot at romance。 And of course， there's young Bertie Pollock， whose starry-eyed explorations of Edinburgh's New Town are a touching reminder that life itself is an adventure and there's joy to be found wherever you choose to look。
Reviews
Jo
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I read these books out of habit now。 They’re all much the same。 Enjoyable enough in their own way。
Lesli
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I just adore this series， it is so heartfelt and funny！ I look forward to finding out how each character will grow and change in every book， and in this new installment a lot of my favourite people have exciting news and adventures。 Bertie is growing up and ventures out on his own to visit his mother， Irene， in Aberdeen， a trip he is really not looking forward to。 Big Lou has a new romantic interest， and the handsome and narcissistic Bruce Anderson gets in over his head with some business ventur I just adore this series， it is so heartfelt and funny！ I look forward to finding out how each character will grow and change in every book， and in this new installment a lot of my favourite people have exciting news and adventures。 Bertie is growing up and ventures out on his own to visit his mother， Irene， in Aberdeen， a trip he is really not looking forward to。 Big Lou has a new romantic interest， and the handsome and narcissistic Bruce Anderson gets in over his head with some business ventures。 I don't know how Alexander McCall Smith does it， but just when I think things are truly hopeless， his characters find solutions that are both witty and hilarious， and even Bruce seems to have some redeeming qualities。 Then they wrap it all up with a heartwarming poem by Angus Lordie， and my heart is full！ 。。。more
JanGlen
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Maybe one day I'll tire of Scotland St， but I think that's a long way off。 I lapped this up with as much pleasure as I read the first in the series years ago。 Long may they keep coming。 Maybe one day I'll tire of Scotland St， but I think that's a long way off。 I lapped this up with as much pleasure as I read the first in the series years ago。 Long may they keep coming。 。。。more
Colin Forbes
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1。 Read new Scotland Street book2。 Open review of previous volume3。 Copy4。 Paste into new review5。 RepeatWhat can I add？ It’s hard to let a series go after 15 books。 It’s ‘nice’ and ‘comfortable’ to be back， of course， but as noted with the last few volumes the series seems to have lost its way a little。There are a few standout chapters。 Bertie continues to provide the best value， especially his visit to Aberdeen。 Bruce made a noteable return but was then relegated to second hand observations fo 1。 Read new Scotland Street book2。 Open review of previous volume3。 Copy4。 Paste into new review5。 RepeatWhat can I add？ It’s hard to let a series go after 15 books。 It’s ‘nice’ and ‘comfortable’ to be back， of course， but as noted with the last few volumes the series seems to have lost its way a little。There are a few standout chapters。 Bertie continues to provide the best value， especially his visit to Aberdeen。 Bruce made a noteable return but was then relegated to second hand observations for the rest of the book。I’ll see you all back here for the next one， no doubt。 。。。more
Ginette Doyle
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I love this series， full of humour， and beautifully written。 Following Bertie's progress is captivating and all the characters are so well drawn and believable。 Can't wait for the next one！ I love this series， full of humour， and beautifully written。 Following Bertie's progress is captivating and all the characters are so well drawn and believable。 Can't wait for the next one！ 。。。more
Jan Holsman
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Thoroughly enjoyable as always
Andrea ☕️📚🌴
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I look forward to the release of the next instalment every time and this one didn’t disappoint。 I listen on audible and David Rintoul is a fabulous narrator。 An easy listen and enjoyable。 Would highly recommend this series。 I love following the lives of the characters （however far fetched some of the storylines may be！）。 Looking forward to #16。
Iain
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Another lovely Scotland Street tale and light relief after a tough read before this （'Shuggie Bain'）。Always nice to check in with this cast of characters from Edinburgh's New Town。The Scotland Street series is like a comfy old pair of trousers for me now。Already looking forward to the next one。 Definitely my favourite AMS series。 Another lovely Scotland Street tale and light relief after a tough read before this （'Shuggie Bain'）。Always nice to check in with this cast of characters from Edinburgh's New Town。The Scotland Street series is like a comfy old pair of trousers for me now。Already looking forward to the next one。 Definitely my favourite AMS series。 。。。more
Kim
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Another gentle addition to the 44 Scotland Street series。 Every book in the series offers an escape from reality， each character is well developed and it’s always like catching up with old friends when you read what antics they’ve been up to。
Brenda
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Alexander McCall Smith has an incomparable way with words， nostalgically evocative and witty。 His original descriptions make me chuckle （Accountants and Clients， shopping trolley， Maria parcel） and his insight into human nature always astonishes me。 Love in the Time of Bertie is an exemplary book which is a snapshot into the ordinary daily lives of a handful of residents in Edinburgh。 Through conversations over tea and coffee we are fortunately privy to their gossip， analyses of others， doling o Alexander McCall Smith has an incomparable way with words， nostalgically evocative and witty。 His original descriptions make me chuckle （Accountants and Clients， shopping trolley， Maria parcel） and his insight into human nature always astonishes me。 Love in the Time of Bertie is an exemplary book which is a snapshot into the ordinary daily lives of a handful of residents in Edinburgh。 Through conversations over tea and coffee we are fortunately privy to their gossip， analyses of others， doling out advice， doing crosswords and philosophizing。 Big Lou （I crave bacon rolls！） and Fat Bob's new relationship is delightfully open and honest。 Young Bertie's friends are up to their usual antics （and tell poor Bertie how dreadfully cold Aberdeen is， way up "north with its polar bears）。 Stuart， his father， adores his son and is worried about allowing Bertie to live with his out-of-town （and out-of-life） mother for three months。 Bertie's grandparents have their own views。 There are vignettes of other characters， too。 There is so much to adore about these gentle books。 In my opinion they are treasures。 Not only are they homey but also refreshing and written with great beauty。 Fans of this author ought to find this required reading。 If you have not read any of his works， do not miss this and his other series。 My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the absolute privilege of reading this most charming series。 Pure joy！ 。。。more
Trelawn
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Everything seems to be neatly wrapped up in this instalment。 Bruce has quite the change of heart。 And Bertie makes a stand。 I hope this isn't the last episode but if so it is fitting conclusion Everything seems to be neatly wrapped up in this instalment。 Bruce has quite the change of heart。 And Bertie makes a stand。 I hope this isn't the last episode but if so it is fitting conclusion 。。。more
H Svinos
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What a lovely installment in the 44 Scotland Street series， without giving anything away， you are on the edge of your seat for dear Bertie and although all the characters are marvellous in it and with some very surprising and amusing twists。 Bertie really is the star of the show and this latest one will keep Bertie fans enthralled and pleased。
Leigh
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This was such a slow book to start。 For the first time ever I almost wanted to give up on Scotland Street。 But I kept going and it got better。 With the I guess you'd call it a twist ending for all of the main storylines。 The book really picks up when Big Lou goes to open her cafe。 Standing outside is a big burly looking man named Fat Bob， which did crack me up a bit。 She let's him in early and they immediately hit it off and it looks like at last Big Lou might find love。 Bruce finds himself invo This was such a slow book to start。 For the first time ever I almost wanted to give up on Scotland Street。 But I kept going and it got better。 With the I guess you'd call it a twist ending for all of the main storylines。 The book really picks up when Big Lou goes to open her cafe。 Standing outside is a big burly looking man named Fat Bob， which did crack me up a bit。 She let's him in early and they immediately hit it off and it looks like at last Big Lou might find love。 Bruce finds himself involved in a real estate scheme that's illegal but he doesn't want to lose face with his peers especially as one of them is an old school mate。 He also meets a girl who is not impressed by him at all and I almost felt bad for him until I remembered what he did to Stuart。 But a chance meeting with Sister Maria Fiore gives him a twinge of conscience but he's not sure if he can back out now。 And then Bertie， poor sweet Bertie。 He gives me hope for the future all these kids bring raised and taught by the PC culture and he's having none of it。 He's living his best life in Edinburgh with his mother away in Aberdeen until Irene announces she wants him there for three months and Nicola thinks it will become permanent。 Bertie is heartbroken begging not to go but has to go anyway。 Mother of the year that she is she puts him in the scullery。 Great job Irene， your award is in the mail。 Miserable he keeps a journal of his woes and then he and Ranald begin a great adventure that while probably not realistic was quite cute。 The book ends with the Drummond Place Highland Games for charity organized by Fat Bob who's a professional strong man and Angus Lordie and of course it's a huge success。 As I mentioned it was incredibly slow to start but once it picked up wow quite good。 Things work out nicely not at all like I'd expected it to and it'll be interesting to see how these new storylines play out in the next book。 。。。more
Fritzov
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Loved being back with the gang。 Lot's of fun as always。 Loved being back with the gang。 Lot's of fun as always。 。。。more
Simon Inch
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Such warmth and kindness。
Goody
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Excellent as always， so glad Big Lou has found love at last。
Derek Stephen
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Possibly the best running series of light comedy novels there is。The 44 Scotland Street novels can be read on so many different levels due to the insightful observations of the human character， that if we are honest with ourselves， we all share to certain degrees。 McCall Smith just has the wonderful ability to emphasise our strengths and foibles in the， mostly， loveable characters we meet in his novels。Anyone who like me has lived and worked in Edinburgh for a time will perhaps have experienced Possibly the best running series of light comedy novels there is。The 44 Scotland Street novels can be read on so many different levels due to the insightful observations of the human character， that if we are honest with ourselves， we all share to certain degrees。 McCall Smith just has the wonderful ability to emphasise our strengths and foibles in the， mostly， loveable characters we meet in his novels。Anyone who like me has lived and worked in Edinburgh for a time will perhaps have experienced the middle classes at play and thus recognise how observant the author is。It is unlikely however that anyone has come across a Bertie and this is where I believe the author’s brilliance shines through。 His ability to see life through the eyes of a seven year old and to bring out in the reader such feelings of pathos is why I will return to his writings as long as he is willing to share his imagination with us - such superb entertainment。In this latest outing our hearts go out to Big Lou who at last is finding a soul mate; Bruce as ever can’t see beyond the mirror; and Bertie’s sojourn to Aberdeen （my hame toon） is epic。An absolute joy to be with the wonderful cast of 44 Scotland Street again and can’t wait to return。Thank you Mr McCall Smith。WARNING - this book can easily be read in one sitting but I tend to discipline myself and spread the pleasure over as long a period as I can。 。。。more
Paula
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Funny how one ges to care about the characteres as if they were real。What irked me in this one， and caused me to rate it lower，was （view spoiler）[ Stuart´s behaviour regarding Bertie´s trip to Aberdeen。 Everyone knows it´s a bad idea， yet he does nothing。 And later， when Bertie comes back， it´s his mother who confronts Irene。 It´s one thing to avoid confrontation， quite another to harm your charm knowingly，as he does， and did。 （view spoiler）[ I don´t think it was a good move by the author。 And a Funny how one ges to care about the characteres as if they were real。What irked me in this one， and caused me to rate it lower，was （view spoiler）[ Stuart´s behaviour regarding Bertie´s trip to Aberdeen。 Everyone knows it´s a bad idea， yet he does nothing。 And later， when Bertie comes back， it´s his mother who confronts Irene。 It´s one thing to avoid confrontation， quite another to harm your charm knowingly，as he does， and did。 （view spoiler）[ I don´t think it was a good move by the author。 And again，funny how one ges to care about the characteres as if they were real。That´s McCall´s merit （hide spoiler）] （hide spoiler）] 。。。more
Bronwyn
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Simply the best…
Carolyn Walsh
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This lovely， captivating book is the 15th in the 44 Scotland Street series， set in Edinburgh。 It reunites the readers with its quirky， charming and annoying characters。 I have read the entire delightful series， and this might be my favourite one so far。 Written with wit and wisdom and containing a gentle， thought-provoking philosophy about life， the ability to change， love， friendship， community， art， admitting one's defects， and taking control。 Many of the characters are experiencing problems This lovely， captivating book is the 15th in the 44 Scotland Street series， set in Edinburgh。 It reunites the readers with its quirky， charming and annoying characters。 I have read the entire delightful series， and this might be my favourite one so far。 Written with wit and wisdom and containing a gentle， thought-provoking philosophy about life， the ability to change， love， friendship， community， art， admitting one's defects， and taking control。 Many of the characters are experiencing problems。 Bertie is one of my favourite little boys in modern fiction。 He learns he must spend three months in Aberdeen with his horrible mother。 He is dismayed that he will be absent from his friends， schoolmates， loving grandmother， and weak-willed father， whom he adores。 The narcissistic， conceited Bruce is part of a fraudulent real-estate scheme。 What happens to him is pretty shocking。 Angus， the painter， attends a lecture at a performance art festival。 He is made to feel that the art of painting scenery and portraits is passe' and stale。 He is beginning to think that he is now out of fashion as an artist。 Sister Maria-Flore dei Flori de Montagna， the social-climbing nun， plays a more prominent role by dispensing her type of advice and wisdom to Bertie's father， Angus and Bruce。 Big Lou has found the man of her dreams， a kind， attentive， professional strongman。 Problems appear to be resolved in the satisfying conclusion。 I hope this doesn't mean the end of this wonderful series。 。。。more
Anne Lind
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Another wonderful outing with Edinburgh residents -- Big Lou finds true love， Bertie deals with his mother again， Bruce has a change of heart。
bryan
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