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The World According to Bertie

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The World According to Bertie

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

 Long-suffering child genius Bertie Pollock has much to contend with in the latest instalment of life at 44 Scotland Street, not least the birth of his brother Ulysses. Bertie had hoped that caring for a new baby would command all of his mother's attention, but he quickly sees that his dream of being left to his own devices is not destined to come true.

Overprotective Irene bans Bertie from the playground, but then forgets little Ulysses outside the delicatessen and suffers a deeply embarrassing moment when she unwittingly retrieves the wrong baby.

Meanwhile, for the other residents of Scotland Street, all's fair in love and friendship. Big Lou finds a new man, Matthew and Pat edge their relationship towards something more permanent - although this development is not without complications, when a glimpse of someone who just might be her handsome, caddish ex-flatmate Bruce sets Pat's pulse racing - and Domenica's friendship with Antonia is tested to the limit when an assortment of her belongings mysteriously appear in Antonia's new flat.

©2008 Hachette Audio (P)2008 Alexander McCall Smith City Life Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Urban City Comedy

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Critic reviews

"It is McCall Smith's particular genius to be able to look on the brighter side of life, and he's seldom done so more enjoyably." ( The Scotsman)
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I liked the voices which the narrator used for each character, especially the one for young Bertie.

the story of each character was told in short sections, which made me want to know what happens next.

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Wonderful, hilariously funny, so uplifting and right about unfunny, comedians. Looking forward to Domenica’s next dinner party

The tribulations of finding love

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I love the 44 SS series, and David Rintoul brings these wonderful characters to life, but if you listen to the whole series, the abridgment means there are gaps in the continuity from one book to the next.
There are so many truly memorable characters, but wee Bertie and Cyril, the dog with a gold tooth are probably my favourites. Bertie's pretentious and dogmatic mother Irene is so completely lacking in insight, that we just have to hope that some day she'll see hersel' as ithers see her - but not too soon, since her present monstrous self is just too amusing.

Unabridged version, please.

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funny moving poetic and more. always leaves me wanting the next in sequel . poor bertie

l prefer the lady story teller in the series.

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After enjoying the previous three books in the 44 Scotland Street series, all about 13 hours long and beautifully read by Hilary Neville, I was disappointed with the grating shrieking voice of David Rintoul, the widely varying volumes, and shocked that the book is less than six hours long. Unfortunately similar issues apply to the rest of the series so I've had to say goodbye to these loveable characters and start another series. Thank goodness Alexander McCall Smith is so prolific!

Disappointing..

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Another excellent 44 Scotland Street novel, but Please record an unabridged version with same narrator.

Abridged version

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It's difficult to understand why there are abridged versions in this series amongst the unabridged. At a mere 5 chapters long, the abridged versions are, of course quite lacking in depth. The narrator was an ill-fit for 44 Scotland Street; creating pompous voices for characters who have previously been portrayed as interesting. He calls Irene; Ireney. His voice was gravelly, loud and grating and it's clear he's not capturing the spirit that McCall has created in 44 Scotland Street. Sadly I bought three unabridged versions with the same narrator at once.

Disappointing Performance. ..

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