Q&A with Alexander McCall Smith discussion

My question for AMS is regarding Bertie. I adore the 44 Scotland Street series. But right from the first book, I haven't been able to reconcile Bertie's fluctuating age-appropriate behavior. In some moments, his behavior, thought processes, vocabulary, self-awareness, seem much more of that of a 9 or 10 or 11 year old, or even older. And then other moments, his thinking and words are very much at the 6 year old level of development. Is this entirely on purpose, to reflect that Bertie is specially intelligent beyond his years (ironically what his mother wants and purports him to be but doesn't actually believe he is), but yet is still the little boy who just wants to be a boy? I would love an explanation on this topic from your point of view. :)

Kristen wrote: "My question for AMS is regarding Bertie. I adore the 44 Scotland Street series. But right from the first book, I haven't been able to reconcile Bertie's fluctuating age-appropriate behavior. In som..."

Dear Kristen, Thanks for your kind remarks. Now then, the problem of Bertie's age ... You are quite right to point out inconsistencies in Bertie's abilities. I am aware of this, but I feel hat it all adds up, in a curious way. We know that Bertie is a little boy and yet we know that he has intellectual powers beyond his years. These are, of course, over-stated in the books, which in a way becomes part of the joke. So there he is: a combination of naivete and intelligence, of innocence and calculation. I know that it doesn't quite add up, but that's the way I have always seen him.
Warmest wishes, AMcS

Thank you so much for participating in this Q&A! While I truly enjoy all the series that you've written (a long car journey was marvelously enlivened for my husband and I by listening to Portuguese Irregular Verbs), 44 Scotland Street is probably my favorite. My question regards Bertie's mother. I know that the style of the books are somewhat farcical, but I find her really repellant. I find myself hoping that she will fall under a bus and leave Bertie and his brother and father to live a happy life. It's a little jarring to feel like this in the midst of such an otherwise joyful experience. Do you anticipate changing her character at all? Again, thank you for this experience and for all of your wonderful books.

Thank you for participating here, and of course for all your wonderful series! I love all of them, and as a librarian I find myself recommending them a lot, particularly the Mma Ramotswe books in audio form, because the reader is marvelous!

I also wonder about / am amused by / am appalled by Bertie and his plight. While not quite wishing Irene to fall under a bus, I quite wish Stuart would somehow grow a spine! Is there any chance of this happening?

Mr. Smith,
I must ask whether in creating Bertie something in the name or the spirit of the boy was in any way informed by involuntary recollection of the literary man, Bertie Wooster? I find different kinds of delight in both.

Dear Sandy,
May Bertie have some more foreign sojourns? I truly enjoyed his trip to France.
Hope to see you again in Gainesville, florida one of these days....

Hello Mr. Smith. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed all your books. However, moving onto Bertie..... somehow, even though I am a woman in my early (ahem -very early) 50s, I can totally relate to everything about this wonderful boy. Your comment earlier about his age not quite adding up made such sense to me. You make me laugh with the way you have written his character - perfect! BTW - I want to strangle his mother.... so happy you are a prolific, wonderful writer. THANK YOU.

Bertie is realistic--a very bright boy, beyond his years, yet certainly still a little boy. He could be more rebellious, but he has that iron-willed mother. . . . In the last book (. . . Scones), I think I saw some foreshadowing of her downfall in one way or another. It will be fun to see how you do that, Mr. Smith--get rid of her (or change her?) in a gentle way. Maybe let her run off with the psychologist. Thank you so much for these books; I think I'm as fond of Cyril as of Bertie.

I would like to know that Cyril's puppies are ok. I didn't think it was funny that they might become food!
Also, I'd like to see Angus have a love life.

Kim wrote: "Thank you so much for participating in this Q&A! While I truly enjoy all the series that you've written (a long car journey was marvelously enlivened for my husband and I by listening to Portugues..."

Dear Kim, Bertie's mother is indeed a very difficult woman. A number of people have asked me to arrange an unpleasant fate for her, but I do not think that I can do that as it would be very upsetting for Bertie. So we are stuck with her, I'm afraid, and I fear that she is not going to change. Bertie, however, will cope quiet well and will triumph, in spite of hsi mother. All best, AMcS

Andrea wrote: "Thank you for participating here, and of course for all your wonderful series! I love all of them, and as a librarian I find myself recommending them a lot, particularly the Mma Ramotswe books in a..."
Dear Andrea, I think that there some signs that Stuart is becoming more assertive. In the new book in the series, The Importance of Being Seven, Stuart takes Bertie fishing, which is a bit of progress. But he certainly has a long way to go. All best, AMcS

Fred wrote: "Mr. Smith,
I must ask whether in creating Bertie something in the name or the spirit of the boy was in any way informed by involuntary recollection of the literary man, Bertie Wooster? I find d..."

Dear Fred, I don't think so, although the name Bertie is vaguely comic, and that may well have something to do with Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster. All best, AMcS

Jane wrote: "Dear Sandy,
May Bertie have some more foreign sojourns? I truly enjoyed his trip to France.
Hope to see you again in Gainesville, florida one of these days...."
Dear Jane, I'll try to get Bertie out a bit more! I hope to return to Gainesville some time - I really enjoyed my last visit there. All best, AMcS

Anne-marie wrote: "Hello Mr. Smith. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed all your books. However, moving onto Bertie..... somehow, even though I am a woman in my early (ahem -very early) 50s, I can totally rela..."
Dear Anne-Marie, 50 is the new 40, or so I'm told. As for Bertie, he is one of my absolute favorites. Poor little boy. All best, AMcS

Connie wrote: "Bertie is realistic--a very bright boy, beyond his years, yet certainly still a little boy. He could be more rebellious, but he has that iron-willed mother. . . . In the last book (. . . Scones)..."
Dear Connie, I fear that Irene will not change - people like that rarely do! Yes, Cyril is a great dog. In the new book, The Importance of Being Seven, Cyril goes with Angus to Italy and has a great time there (he meets some charming Italian dogs). All best, AMcS

Julrobs wrote: "I would like to know that Cyril's puppies are ok. I didn't think it was funny that they might become food!
Also, I'd like to see Angus have a love life."

Dear Julrobs, Cyril's puppies are fine. In the new book I reveal that they were taken off to become performing dogs in an Irish travelling circus based near Cork. All best, AMcS

Alexander wrote: "Julrobs wrote: "I would like to know that Cyril's puppies are ok. I didn't think it was funny that they might become food!
Also, I'd like to see Angus have a love life."

Dear Julrobs, Cyril's pup..."

How wonderful and exciting! I have dogs and cats and try to help the ones that need it, too. Thanks for your reply!