Bruce, Antonia, and Sister Maria...finding their hopes, dreams intersecting in a profound and life changing way. Bruce, a strikingly handsome surveyor, is a narcissist who thinks all women should want to date him. Thus a lecture entitled 'New Directions in Scottish Conceptual Art,' where the speaker states 'we don't need paintings, we need experiences,' leaves Angus worried about the future of Scottish painting.

Love in the Time of Bertie is the fifteenth book in the popular 44 Scotland Street series by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith, and in it, the lives of the residents of 44 Scotland Street and those of their friends are, once again, updated for the continuing enjoyment of series fans.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. But Domenica thought: I really would like things to be forever. I would like to be able to sit at this table once a week, perhaps, with these friends. I would like to talk about the things we talk about, the small things, whatever happened in the world. I would like to wake up in the morning and not think that things were getting worse. I would like not to have to listen to the exchange of insults between politicians. I would like to hear of people co-operating with one another and helping others and bringing succour and comfort to the needy and... and I would like not to think that we were still in the seventeenth century, as divided amongst ourselves as they were at that time, pitted against each other, with one vision of the good battling another, and people despising others for their opinions.” Meanwhile, Angus Lordie expresses his appreciation of the bespoke Lobb brogues he inherited from his father, while Domenica comments on Belgian indoor shoes and the fashion for knee-ripped jeans and low-slung trousers that expose underwear. She bemoans how independent privately-funded scholars suffer the condescension of academics, and Angus muses on the alter-ego endowed on him by the bureaucracy.

As always, many topics are mulled over or discussed: expert knowledge vs pretentiousness; the Dunbar Number of close friends; social climbers; guilt over the amount of water needed to produce coffee. Domenica MacDonald cultivates a friendship with Tarquin, one of the downstairs student neighbours, and they have some stimulating conversations. 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. The ever-arrogant Bruce Anderson overestimates his skill at cryptic crosswords, and is offered a role in a morally questionable real estate scheme by a former schoolmate. When by chance he learns who the buyer is, he faces a moral dilemma. It all becomes moot when nature interferes in a very dramatic way. In an attempt to revive the male camaraderie of his youth, Bruce gets involved with an old friend's shady real estate venture, which is aimed at bilking a buyer out of tens of thousands of pounds. Bruce seems unconcerned about the immorality of the scheme until an electrifying experience changes his outlook on life.

Customer reviews

The author's army of fans won't need us to recommend this book to them: but for anyone just returning Angus Lordie is a traditional portrait artist with an animus against The Turner Prize, which awards conceptual art - such as a video of a chair seen from different angles - rather than art objects. In fact Angus has taught his dog Cyril to lift his leg whenever he hears the words Turner Prize.

Sister Maria-Fiore dei Fiori di Montagna continues to offer aphorisms, some more enigmatic than others: “Two snails do not argue about whose shell is the more attractive.” Angus compares conceptual art to the emperor’s new clothes, there is a marriage proposal, Highland Games are organised for the Drummond Street Gardens and, as always, Angus bestows a poem on the gathered company. Affable Big Lou has taken a shine to a strongman called Fat Bob, who stopped into Big Lou's Coffee Shop one morning. When Fat Bob includes Big Lou's adopted son Finlay in a dinner date, it clinches the attraction. Domenica thought: I really would like things to be forever. I would like for us to be able to sit at this table once a week, perhaps, with these friends. I would like to talk about the things we talk about, the small things, whatever happened in the world. I would like to wake up in the morning and not think that things were getting worse. (31) On the bright side, Sister Maria-Flore dei Fiori de Montagna - the aphorism spouting, social climbing nun - has been appointed to the panel of judges of the Turner Prize. Sister Maria-Fiore, who's a conventional thinker, will never give the prize to an outré modern artist. This is the 15th book in the "44 Scotland Street" series. It can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is a plus.I suppose we should all remind ourselves of our view. things may get bad and then we say to ourselves remember your view and then everything looks better.” Still annoying Patsy, Olive make Bertie's life seem unbearable. Greg and Ed offer Bruce a deal that is too good to be true. But underneath it all is a conscience that brings Bruce to his senses. A big surprise to all readers.

The story ends with the annual neighborhood party thrown by Angus and Domenica, where Angus reads his original poem about love.In these affable, humorous books Alexander McCall Smith follows the lives of a group of people who reside in Edinburgh's "New Town" neighborhood. Many of the characters live in apartments at 44 Scotland Street - and others are their neighbors, friends and acquaintances. Despite the fact that little happens in the way of plot, this book made me laugh out loud many times, boil with fury and frustration.and also shed many tears both happy and sad. My only explanation is that Alexander McCall Smith is probably the worlds greatest writer right now. It was the beauty of the country before them that had done it. Scotland was a place of attenuated light, of fragility, of a beauty that broke the heart.”