A Distant View of Everything

After recovering from the birth of her second son Magnus, philosopher Isabel Dalhousie returns to her usual work and family life; this includes taking on occasional shifts at her niece Cat’s cafe. During one such shift, an old schoolmate drops by to ask for her help: it seems the schoolmate has made a reputation as a matchmaker, an activity in which she normally revels, but word has come to her that one recent such effort may well have put the woman in danger of financial shenanigans by the man. Asked for her help, of course Isabel cannot refuse and so she begins asking questions of various parties involved, but the answers she receives are far different than what her schoolmate had been told…. I somehow missed this entry in the show more Sunday Philosophy Club series, although I read the book after it (“The Quiet Side of Passion”) soon after it came out. What I like about this series in particular is that nothing much happens in it at all; instead, we’re treated to Isabel’s frequent ruminations on the ethics of both very minor and very major events and incidents in life; how one’s proximity to need should inform one’s offer of help, for example, or whether someone should take gossip for fact or indeed contribute to it. I always find Mr. Smith’s stories to be soothing, and I mean that in the most positive light - certainly in these dark times, a gentle little fable can go a long way toward easing one’s troubled soul! I generally think that long-running series (this is number 11 or 12) should be read in sequence, but I’m not sure how important that is with this set; in any case, recommended. show less

In The Novel Habits of Happiness, Isabel Dalhousie was such a prig; thankfully, Alexander McCall Smith has redeemed himself in A Distant View of Everything, and Isabel is back to her old understanding self. And just in time! I hadn’t realized just how much I had missed her.

An old schoolmate of Isabel’s, Bea Shandon, fancies herself quite the matchmaker; however, Bea has come across information that she may have introduced a very rich friend to a doctor with a history of loving — and leaving — wealthy women, although only after he’s tapped them for a hefty amount. Bea turns to Isabel to discover if the rumors are true — and, if so, to stave off any future grifting. I don’t want to give away too much, but readers can be sure show more that Isabel, the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics and a moral philosopher, will do her best to make sure that justice prevails.

Unlike with Precious Ramotswe, the pace of a novel featuring McCall Smith’s other series, Isabel Dalhousie, is slower but more profound; she isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But for those who appreciate Isabel’s cerebral and thoughtful approach to everyday living, she’s a breath of fresh air and a guide to living a holistic life. Too bad I’ll have to wait another year to spend more time with Isabel and her family. show less

Series is consistenly strong, appealing and humorous. Isabel, philosopher, wife and now the mother of 2, once again agrees to help someone. This time she assists a matchmaker who was told that a male guest at one of her dinners might be a risk to her female guests.

Against the back drop of Isabel's moral compass, her mature analytical and realistic thought processes, her love and respect of people and country she does her best to accept people as they are. Of course, her human side often finds people challenging, i.e. niece Cat, and now Cat's young restaurant assistant, Eddie is behaving badly toward a new employee, husband Jamie is keeping a medical issue a secret from her causing her to speculate anxiously, and Grace is well.... show more Grace.

As always, Isabel sorts out the professional and private sides of her life, and resolves the case of the 'risky' male guest.

Another strong read! show less

In this installment of the beloved Isabel Dalhousie series, Isabel is called upon to navigate complex social situations both at home and in her community.
A new baby brings an abundance of joy to Isabel and her husband, Jamie—but almost-four-year-old Charlie refuses to acknowledge Magnus, and Isabel struggles to impress upon her older son the patience and understanding that have guided her throughout her own life.
These are the very qualities that bring Bea Shandon, an old acquaintance, to seek Isabel's help. Something of a matchmaker, Bea has introduced a wealthy female friend to a cosmetic surgeon, but soon uncovers information leading her to doubt his motives. Isabel agrees to find out more, but as her enquiries take an unexpected show more turn, she starts to wonder whom exactly she should be investigating. As ever, Isabel's intelligence, wit, and empathy come to her aid as she grapples with issues like friendship and its duties, the obligation of truthfulness, and the... show less

There's never much story to these books, but I always end them feeling like I just had a nice coffee and check in with a friend. This series is pure comfort for me with the bonus of a few lines that make me really sit back and think for a bit.

I do love Isabel Dalhousie, the philosopher by profession and the protagonist of this series by McCall Smith, but this installment seemed a bit simplistic and lukewarm and sugary, and maybe a tad moralistic as well. But as usual with this author, there is always a quote or two (or more!) that is worth repeating in each of his books, and here is one on how Isabel considers the topic of "the divine": "... she felt there was something there - some force, some principle, that lay beyond our understanding but that we sensed and that, crucially, we needed. The identity one gave to that did not matter too much, although the clutter with which we surrounded it did. Some of that clutter was downright poisonous, insisting that there was only one show more way of recognizing the divine, that all other views of it were simply wrong." Not a totally new notion but I thought it was nicely put... show less

The 11th installment of the Sunday Philosophy Club is here. Some things change, new baby Magnus and new deli employee Peg, while more things stay the same, Isabelle salivating over Jamie, bossy Grace the housekeeper, crazy Cat at the deli, sullen Eddie, and last but not least, an appearance by brother fox. In this outing Isabelle is asked to meddle in or rather investigate in the life of a doctor who may be a grifter.

Although I have a fondness for the series this novel began to irk me. While having a conversation with a friend Bea, every time Bea spoke, it launched another tangent off in Isabelle's head making the passage really annoying to follow. It was comic relief when Eddie finally called Isabelle out on her habit of thinking of show more something else and smiling when talking to a person. That aside I have become invested in the characters over the course of 11 novels. I always look forward to a visit to Edinburgh and I always get a gem of wisdom out of the novel. In this book it is the idea that we have to be careful how we talk to our friends. One rebuke can undo a thousand positive interactions and end the friendship. Well said Mr. McCall Smith. show less