Reviews

The World According to Bertie by Alexander McCall Smith

gaga2203's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The whole series is a treat.

chelse34's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Took me about 10 months to read this book because I could only find it on ebook and that is my least favorite way to read. Reading on my phone is awful! (But next month they may change because I'm getting a Kindle for my birthday!!).

I still enjoy this series. The awkwardness of Matthew, the narcissist Bruce, and poor little Bertie. They are my favorite characters. And this one had some good plot development with all 3! I laughed out loud when Bertie told his therapist that his little brother looked like the therapist! Oh my!

I'll slowly continue to read the rest, but I think I may take a break before book 5.

jjb21's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Very calm, but not much happens at all. Just progressions along

lapantofola83's review against another edition

3.0

Divertente, simpatico, allegro, spiritoso e piacevole. Forse un pò di più degli altri libri della serie!
Il punto di vista del piccolo Bertie è esilarante, vorrei solo poterlo incontrare per parlare con lui :)

lisc3's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

jaxdux's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

loveachelois_'s review against another edition

challenging hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

andrew61's review against another edition

3.0

This is the fourth in a series and with very small sections makes a perfect book to read with my sandwich al lunch. The stories expand on the lives of the residents of Scotland Street in Edinburgh from bertie who at 6 years old has to cope with his appalling mother as well as a new brother, to Angus lordie whose dog cyril is about to be put down until bertie comes to his rescue . These are gentle sketches far removed from the Edinburgh of Ian rankin and Irvine welsh but enjoyable in their own way.

kingfan30's review

4.0

So it's been a year since I last visited Scotland Street, so it was time to grab a coffee, snuggle up in some PJs and get reading. It really is like catching up with friends, Bertie's mum is still just as controlling and I really wish his dad would just man up a bit. Bruce is back and is just as annoying as ever, although he may well have met his match. Antonio and Dominica were quite amusing too, assessing thier friendship now they are neighbours and working out the boundaries. At least this time I know it won't be year before my next visit as I've got the next one to read immediately to give to my secret Santa.

adriana69's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Charming funny and well written. The characters of 44 Scotland street and their ongoing lives. Including poor old Bertie trying to have a normal boyhood. 
Thoroughly enjoyable.