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Loading... The Lost Art of Gratitude: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries) (edition 2009)by Alexander McCall Smith
Work InformationThe Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. For the most part I enjoyed this book as I have its predecessors. The machinations with Dove and Lettuce are entertaining. She and Jamie are happily in love.Charlie,their cute and smart little love of a son may have uppity tastes in food. Isabel is not surprised to learn that her niece Cat is dating a stunt man. It's Isabel's thoughts about people, and the complexities of our lives, and her always trying to do better. Her love and care for those around her, including Brother Fox are the precious keys in making this a great series. But Isabel deciding against her better judgement to help the ambitiously selfish Minty Auchterlonie was disappointing. I prefer her assisting those who deserve her assistance. But Isabel does have the last word with Minty. And Isabel is thrilled when Jamie proposes! Here's Alexander McCall Smith theory of literature (or - why write? why read?) "Perhaps that was what adults really wanted, searched for and rarely found: a simple story in which good triumphs against cynicism and despair....one did not publicize the fact too widely, certainly not in sophisticated circles. Such circles wanted complexity, dysfunction and irony: there was no room for joy, celebration or pathos. But where was the fun in that?... We want resolution and and ending that show us that the world is a just place. We've always wanted that. We want human flourishing." Human flourishing - that's what this book is about. I particularly liked her reflections on her own actions, her examination of conscience.
But plot has never been what draws readers to McCall Smith, either in this series or in his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels. The books' appeal has to do, as the author once suggested, with their portrayal of characters "in whom generosity of spirit is very strong." ...McCall Smith's readers get what they deserve as well. He has created a world where humor is gentle, suffering is acknowledged but not foregrounded, and efforts to do good are usually rewarded. It's a wonderful place to visit, even if we don't get to live there. Belongs to SeriesIsabel Dalhousie (6) Distinctions
Encountering high-flying financier Minty Auchterlonie while attending a birthday party, Isabel learns of Minty's complicated monetary troubles and wonders if the ambitious woman is perpetuating a fraud. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)823.914Literature English & Old English literatures English fiction Modern Period 1901-1999 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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[Perhaps that was what adults really wanted, searched for and rarely found: a simple story in which good triumphs against cynicism and despair. ...one did not publicise the fact too widely, certainly not in sophisticated circles. Such circles wanted complexity, dysfunction and irony: there was no room for joy, celebration or pathos. But where was the *fun* in that?]
Joy, celebration and pathos in the small moments of ordinary lives. Bless.
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