From New York Times bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith, creator of the phenomenally popular No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novels and winner of the inaugural Saga Award for Wit, comes the first wonderfully entertaining novel starring Professor Doctor Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, distinguished philologist—and frequently inept human.
Von Igelfeld is the world’s leading scholar on Portuguese irregular verbs, having written a majestic, nearly 1,200-page book on the subject. As one review says, “There is nothing more to be said on this subject. Nothing.” But in other matters, von Igelfeld is not nearly so skilled. Whether haplessly playing tennis against an equally dreadful opponent, or committing his friends to sword-fighting duels without their knowledge, von Igelfeld is somewhat naive in the ways of the world. Yet that does not stop him from having a go at life, and the results are always humorous.
If you enjoy sharp yet subtle wit, you cannot afford to miss Portuguese Irregular Verbs.
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"This was a quick read and terribly funny, though if I knew a little more about Germany I think I'd like even better. The professors' mishaps are all too familiar. My favorite part of the book is getting to tell people that I read "Portuguese Irregular Verbs.""
— Sarah (4 out of 5 stars)
“In the halls of academe, a setting fraught with ego-driven battles for power and prestige [Alexander McCall Smith] has rendered yet another one-of-a-kind character: the bumbling but brilliant Dr. Mortiz-Maria von Igelfeld…[a] deftly rendered trilogy [with] endearingly eccentric characters.”
— Chicago Sun-Times“Paul Hecht's deep baritone gives the necessary pseudo-scholarly tone to academicians measuring out their lives in Dravidian verb shifts, Urdu subjunctives, and Early Irish obscenities.”
— AudioFile" Hard to decide how I feel about this one. The quirky character makes me feel good inside but I didn't laugh much and the plot is nonexistent. "
— Amy, 2/19/2014" An unusual book...a little disconnected but funny in an offbeat sort of way. "
— Shelli, 2/17/2014" This book was fantastic. If you can listen to it on audio I recommend that. It is a very funny story and the tone condescending way in which the narrator reads the book makes it all the better. "
— Laura, 2/14/2014" As much as I love his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. I could not get into this one. I started to listen to it on CD, but didn't end up finishing it. "
— Kristen-Marie, 2/8/2014" I decided to find out what this series titled book was like after enjoying Isabel Dalhousie and Mma Ramotswe and friends in those two series and another one as well. He is prolific and inventive, one of the best writers I've read. Portuguese Irregular Verbs is about a character type I have no experience with. I was challenged in following the action, especially where cultural elements determined responses, leaving me mystified. I thought it was funny but in a making fun of stubborn stupidity and meaninglessness kind of way. So I stopped reading it, in favor of a more positive celebration of intelligence. I think it was Alan Lightman's book about God creating the Universe. "
— Ken, 1/31/2014" Listened to, and much enjoyed, the audiobook in March 2009; got the print version from the library January 2013. It is rather hard to convince people that a slow-paced book about German academics could be so funny. "
— Libby, 1/28/2014" couldn't finish this book. Probably just wasn't in the right mood, but it was touted as humorous, but it just came off ponderous and odd. "
— Abbi, 1/22/2014" This is a different story, but there are a few side-splitting scenes that make it a good book. "
— Lorri, 1/15/2014" Just terrific. Those in academia will especially enjoy this. "
— Emese, 1/13/2014" Fun to read a new character (for me) by McCall Smith. A short, quick read that was just easy and enjoyable. "
— Audrey, 12/20/2013" The dry wit occasioned a laugh, but this drawn out Monty Python sketch ceases to be amusing more often than it resuscitates. Also featuring one of the worst endings to a book, a star killing one at that. "
— Shedim, 12/18/2013" Quirky and farcical tale of a rather ridiculous German professor, who is so very proud of his obscure literary masterwork. I expect this to grow on me as McCall's other series have. "
— Nancy, 12/5/2013" This book is about a German Philologist who is very full of himself. It is amusing but not laugh-out-loud hilarious. I enjoyed as a quick read. "
— Ann, 11/22/2013" Very light, very silly, and very funny. "
— Julie, 11/17/2013" Was a book my father really enjoyed. He probably had more in common with the characters but I still found them hilarious. Was the first book I ever "read" as an audio book. Recommend it in that capacity as well. "
— Sonja, 11/14/2013" Could the adventures of an extremely self centered linguistics professor make an interesting story? Apparently not. I found some funny moments but I don't know how many other people would laugh. If you don't willing rent obscure British made movies don't read this. "
— Rachel, 10/28/2013" This was a fun, offbeat book. Very different. I didn't listen to it like Sally did, and it sounds like that would have made it much better. "
— Katrina, 10/31/2012" I'm sorry but maybe this was supposed to be sympathetic but it seemed insulting to both Germans and Columbians- stereotyping. "
— Melissa, 8/16/2012" I read this for a book club. It's hilarious! "
— Heather, 8/12/2012" A short funny little read! I like McCall Smith, but this book wasn't anything particularly special. "
— Sarah, 8/8/2012" Quick, funny read. Reminds me of British humor. I definitely will look to read more by Alexander McCall Smith. "
— Kristen, 7/15/2012" This book is quite humorous. The author is quite adept at subtle commentary through the portrayal of his characters. I wasn't very excited to begin this book but was enjoying it by the end of the first chapter. I've since read the whole series. "
— Jill, 4/17/2012" Fun, light read (or listen). "
— Jennie, 4/13/2012" a hilarious look inside the Ivory Tower. A must-read for graduate students, especially those in the liberal arts... and especially if you have professors of Germanic extraction. "
— Mylynka, 11/6/2011" Funny, funny, funny. This book makes me want to meet the author. It's about some linguistics professors and the ridiculous situations they get themselves into. "
— Pam, 10/28/2011" First in the series about an eccentric professor of Romance Philology. Silly and entertaining. "
— Lynne, 9/23/2011" Really funny characters. Barnes & Noble has it in the mystery section though so I was disappointed it wasn't a mystery. Funny and quirky book though. "
— Jamie, 7/2/2011" I give this book such a high rating because it was hilarious. We listened to it in the car. The reader did a wonderful job. His German accent made it even more funny. "
— Katie, 6/24/2011" Hilarious! We listened to this on the road to Utah this Easter. The narrator was very good too. So funny! "
— Tessa, 6/23/2011" A funny little story about an eccentric professor. "
— Diana, 6/15/2011" Enjoyable book about a really nerdy guy that thinks he's great. Reminds me of "The Big Bang Theory" about linguists instead of physisists. <br/> <br/>Very clever writing - which is important to me. Although the plot was pretty slow at times. "
— Coleman, 6/6/2011" This was another light, easy book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the author's other books. There were funny moments, but I don't think I'll read the subsequent ones. "
— Karen, 5/19/2011" Sort of a modern Pickwick Papers. It had a few good moments. Not up to the standard of McCall Smith's other books. "
— Deborah, 5/11/2011" A weird and an uncomfortably funny book. Nothing like No. 1 Ladies detective agency books. I started to read the second in the series but the main character drove me nuts I couldn't get past the 30 page mark. "
— Aimee, 4/21/2011" A very funny and silly story. A nice quick read. Don't know if I'm hooked enough to read the two sequels, though my curiosity might win me over. We'll see. "
— Froggy, 3/27/2011" Tried to read this book and just couldn't finish it. Maybe others have the same problem as the series hasn't continued like the others. "
— Kay, 3/17/2011" #1 in the series. Loved it! Short, can be read in a few hours and will having you smiling by the end. "
— Sara, 2/20/2011" Very cute. He does great characterizations and this stiff and proper German professor is spot on. "
— Jennifer, 1/24/2011Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.
Paul Hecht’s long career in audiobooks spans dozens of titles and authors as varied as Ray Bradbury and Gore Vidal, Jack Finney and Thomas Mann. He has recorded such books as Bob Dole’s One Soldier’s Story and Alexander McCall Smith’s Portuguese Irregular Verbs and At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances. Hecht’s theater career in New York includes many Broadway and television credits. He has won nine AudioFile Earphones Awards for his audiobook narrations.