Undiscovered Scotland

 

It's entirely possible to have lived in Scotland for the past couple of decades without having heard of the author Alexander McCall Smith and his novels. But only if you've spent that time on an otherwise uninhabited and seldom visited outlying island, perhaps like Rockall or the Flannan Isles. For anyone else with any interest at all in books, the author has increasingly been a fixture on the Scottish literary landscape over that time. He is a man whose prolific output is only matched by his popularity as an author, with total sales that vary depending on your source, but according to the rear flap of the dust jacket of this book exceeds 30 million books around the world.

The author's "44 Scotland Street" novels began life as a serial published in The Scotsman newspaper from January 2004; and that was the title of the first book in the series. "Love in the Time of Bertie" is the fifteenth book in the series and we should admit is the first we have read. It's easy to understand why the series has gained such a following, with beautifully realised characters and a quiet charm that draws you in. Books have many roles, and important amongst them are bringing enjoyment and entertainment to their readers. Measured against that aim, "Love in the Time of Bertie" succeeds admirably and can be highly recommended even for those who, like us, are coming fresh to the Edinburgh created by Alexander McCall Smith.

You get a good sense of the story from the publisher's blurb: "Life for Bertie seems to be moving at a pace that is rather out of his control. In Drummond Place gardens it seems that Olive has their future together all planned out. Meanwhile, upstairs at 44 Scotland Street, Bertie’s father Stuart is powerless to stop over-bearing Irene and her motion for Bertie to travel to Aberdeen on a three-month secondment. And, further up in the New Town, while Bruce Anderson plots with old-school chums, love blossoms in Big Lou’s Cafe. Warm hearted, humorous and wonderfully wise, 'Love in the Time of Bertie' offers philosophical insight as well as sartorial elegance. Catch up once again with the extended family at No 44, in this the latest instalment in the Scotland Street series."

The author's army of fans won't need us to recommend this book to them: but for anyone just returning from that long trip to Rockall or the Flannan Isles, this is a book that is well worth reading.