The world according to Bertie

About “The world according to Bertie”

Alexander McCall Smith's novel features a diverse group of characters whose lives are explored with warmth and humor. The story centers on Bertie, who deals with his overbearing mother, and on Angus and Cyril, who are portrayed with great skill. The book also introduces an anthropologist who exemplifies the possibility of new beginnings in life. The author is known for incorporating philosophical ideas into his work, and this novel is no exception. Readers are encouraged to start with the first book in the series, 44 Scotland Street. The novel is part of a series that is compared to McCall Smith's Isobel Dalhousie series, which also contains philosophical themes.