Books On Board

Professor Dr. Von Igelfeld Entertainment Books in Order

  • 5 Books
  • 2003 – 2021 Published

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Reading order
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The Recommended Reading Order

The best way to experience the Professor Dr. von Igelfeld Entertainment series (also widely referred to as the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series) is in publication order. Because the books follow a linear sequence of Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld’s escalating career mishaps, professional rivalries, and baffling global excursions, reading them chronologically as they were published ensures you follow the running jokes and character dynamics perfectly.

Here is the complete list of books in the recommended reading order:

  1. Portuguese Irregular Verbs (First published in 1997, widely republished in 2003) – Introduces the tall, proud Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld, his masterwork on verbs, and his initial comedic trials.
  2. The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs (2003) – Follows von Igelfeld as he gets entangled in unlicensed veterinary surgery, sausage dog logistics, and a cruise full of matchmaking widows.
  3. At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances (2003) – Pits von Igelfeld against Cambridge academic politics and a chaotic expedition to Colombia.
  4. Unusual Uses for Olive Oil (2011) – Features a fierce rivalry over a vacant chair, romantic misunderstandings, and a dachshund that requires a custom wheeled apparatus.
  5. Your Inner Hedgehog (2021) – Introduces a modernizing deputy librarian who threatens the traditional ways of the Institute, prompting von Igelfeld to run for director.
  6. The Lost Language of Oysters (2026) – The latest installment where two visiting Tulane University scholars disrupt the Regensburg institute, leading to a research trip to Louisiana to study oyster communication.

The Omnibus Shortcut: The 2½ Pillars of Wisdom

If you are looking to get started quickly, you can look for the omnibus edition titled The 2½ Pillars of Wisdom. First published in 2004, this single-volume compilation contains the complete texts of the first three novels: Portuguese Irregular Verbs, The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs, and At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances. It is an excellent, cost-effective starting point for new readers looking to dive headfirst into the trilogy that defined the character before McCall Smith revisited the series years later.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Unlike some of Alexander McCall Smith's other works, there are no complicated prequels, side-novels, or alternative timelines in the von Igelfeld universe. The chronological order matches the publication order exactly. The narrative flows naturally from the initial establishment of von Igelfeld's academic reputation at the Institute of Romance Philology in Regensburg to his later conflicts with modern administration and his subsequent travels abroad. Reading them out of order is not recommended, as the escalating absurdity of the relationships (especially with his chief rival, Professor Detlev-Amadeus Unterholzer) relies heavily on the status quo built in previous volumes.

What to Know Before You Start

Before embarking on these books, it is helpful to keep a few things in mind to set your expectations:

  • It is Satire, Not a Traditional Novel: The books read more like a series of interconnected, lighthearted vignettes than a single, driving narrative. The humor is dry, intellectual, and intentionally absurd.
  • Academic Context: McCall Smith drew on his own experience as a professor of medical law to write these books. The satire focuses on the petty rivalries, inflated egos, and trivial disputes that can occur in highly specialized academic departments.
  • The Audiobook Experience: The audiobooks for the earlier entries in this series are famously narrated by actor Hugh Laurie (known for House and Jeeves and Wooster). His delivery of the dry humor and German academic accents is highly praised by fans and is considered by many to be the definitive way to experience the stories.

Spin-Offs and Co-Authored Works

The Professor Dr. von Igelfeld series is a standalone project written entirely by Alexander McCall Smith. There are no co-authored books, spin-off series, or official companion guides associated with it. However, fans of this series' dry, character-driven humor will find a similar tone in McCall Smith's other Edinburgh-based series, such as the 44 Scotland Street books or the Isabel Dalhousie (Sunday Philosophy Club) series, which also explore human nature and small-scale social politics with gentle irony.

Frequently Asked

What is the best book to start with in the Professor Dr. von Igelfeld series?

You should start with the first book, Portuguese Irregular Verbs, or purchase the omnibus edition The 2½ Pillars of Wisdom, which collects the first three books in a single volume.

Is there a new book in the Professor Dr. von Igelfeld series?

Yes, the sixth book in the series is titled The Lost Language of Oysters and was published in February 2026.

Can the Professor Dr. von Igelfeld books be read as standalones?

While each book contains episodic adventures, it is highly recommended to read them in order. The running jokes and the developing academic rivalry between von Igelfeld and Professor Unterholzer build upon previous books.

Who narrates the audiobooks for this series?

The audiobooks are famously narrated by Hugh Laurie, whose performance is widely celebrated for capturing the dry, academic humor and German accents perfectly.

What is the setting of the series?

The series is primarily set at the fictional Institute of Romance Philology in Regensburg, Germany, though the characters frequently travel to locations like Colombia, Cambridge, and Louisiana.