The Importance of Being Seven

Written by Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by Robert Ian MacKenzie

Perhaps best known for his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, #1 New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith delights fans around the world with his warmhearted 44 Scotland Street novels. In the series' sixth entry, the residents of 44 Scotland Street grapple with problems both trivial and severe, but none so great as when six-year-old Bertie Pollock - who longs to be seven - mislays his mum and learns a valuable lesson about wish fulfillment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 21, 2012
• ISBN: 9781464008160

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the highly successful No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which has sold over twenty-five million copies. Since then he has devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world. These include the 44 Scotland Street novels, first published as a serial novel in the Scotsman, the Isabel Dalhousie novels, the Von Igelfeld series and the Corduroy Mansions novels.

Reviews for The Importance of Being Seven

[dsc73277 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read this one slowly over a number of weeks in order to spread the enjoyment. Having originally been published in serial form, in short chapters, it lends itself well to being experienced in this way. Everything that characterises the earlier episodes in the Scotland Street series is still very much in evidence not least the gentle humour and the character of Bertie, the six year old with the insufferable mother, Irene. Another utterly charming book from the pen of McCall Smith.

[kblinn_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Prolific author McCall Smith is out with another in his Scotland Street series. Reading the book will be akin to attending a family reuniin for regular readers of the series. Those who have not read any of the earlier books will still enjoy the quirky characters who live on the street. Bertie will soon turn seven, and in one of the best parts of the book, in this reader's opinion, he escapes from his mother's grasp, however briefly. The book has several huge surprises in it and is laugh-out-loud funny in places. McCall-Smith was really on a roll when he wrote these stories, Enjoy!

[cloggiedownunder · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Importance of Being Seven is the sixth in the Scotland Street series by Alexander McCall Smith. Once again we join the residents and friends of 44 Scotland Street. Domenica and Angus go to Italy with Antonia; Bruce’s new leaf seems to have ended as he reverts to type; Matthew and Elspeth get some life-changing news; Bertie longs to be 7, rr better still, 18; Elspeth shows she has backbone; Irene gives Bertie a lesson in the meaning of “always”; Pat reappears with some sage advice for Mathew; and Bertie gets some moments of pleasure with Stuart. Throughout, McCall-Smiths gentle philosophy provokes thought and often, laughter. A delight to read.

[Mariam Shah-Rais · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Endearing, insightful and full of humor as always. A wonderful book in the series.

[bkwurm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As the 6th book in the "44 Scotland Street" series I pretty much knew what to expect when I picked this one up, and I was not disappointed. From what I (unfortunate American that I am) understand, the 44 Scotland Street series comes from a serial story Alexander McCall Smith writes for The Scotsman newspaper. It follows the lives and happenings of a handful of people who live in Edinburgh, and whose lives frequently intersect. The books aren't particularly plot-driven, they are McCall Smith's delightful character observations, polite philosophical and political musings, and quirky imaginings. The lives of the characters change just enough, without ever changing too much. Reading this series is like wrapping up in a favorite cozy blanket.

[thorold_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the few writers who can get away with being thoroughly inoffensive while still making you feel that he's not insulting your intelligence. Like all really good light literature, the plots are instantly forgettable but characters stay with you. I'm sure everyone who's read even one of these books has a clear mental image of long-suffering Bertie, overbearing Irene, and all the rest of them, but few would be able to summarise the storyline of any of the books. Does the baby get lost in the same book as the Volvo? When do we first meet the distressed-oatmeal sweater? No-one really cares, and in fact we're happy to forget the story if it gives us an excuse to re-read the book a year later.