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    The Charming Quirks of Others
    The Charming Quirks of Others
    The Charming Quirks of Others
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Charming Quirks of Others

    Written by Alexander McCall Smith

    Narrated by Davina Porter

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Nothing captures the charm of Edinburgh like the bestselling Isabel Dalhousie series of novels featuring the insatiably curious philosopher and woman detective. Whether investigating a case or a problem of philosophy, the indefatigable Isabel Dalhousie, one of fiction's most richly developed amateur detectives, is always ready to pursue the answers to all of life's questions, large and small. Isabel has been asked to discreetly investigate the candidates for the position of headmaster at a local boys' school. The board has three final candidates but has received an anonymous letter alleging that one of them is not suitable.What she discovers about the candidates is surprising, but what she discovers about herself and about Jamie, the father of her young son, turns out to be equally revealing. Isabel's investigation will have her exploring issues of ambition, as well as of charity, forgiveness, and humility, as she moves nearer and nearer to some of the most hidden precincts of the human heart.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateOct 12, 2010
    ISBN9781449839727
    The Charming Quirks of Others
    Author

    Alexander McCall Smith

    Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

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    Reviews for The Charming Quirks of Others

    4/5

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    • 3/5
      In this latest addition to the Isabel Dalhousie series, Isabel has discovered many flaws in others, and in herself. Having been asked to determine which of three final candidates for a headmaster position at the local boys' school, she discovers many skeletons in closets and ambition issues, but also charity, forgiveness and humility. A very fast, insightful reading into the quirks of human nature. A must read which will set you to examining your own heart and motives with others.
    • 4/5
      The Isabel Dalhousie novels have overtaken the Number One Ladies' Detective Agencies stories as my favorite series by Alexander McCall Smith. Isabel is a wonderful heroine, a woman of studied kindness who finds it difficult to say know when asked to "help."In The Charming Quirks of Others, Isabel is asked to help screen three candidates for the job of school headmaster. This is real detective work ... and Isabel is a philosopher. But she says "yes" and takes her own route to come up with an answer for her "client."In the meantime, she and her live-in fiance Jamie have a bit of a rocky road -- based on Jamie's own difficulty is saying no to a female colleague who is dying and needs a friend. Their toddler Charlie just coos and babbles and stuns everyone with his cuteness. Professors Christopher Dove and Robert Lettuce are back to complicate Isabel's life as the editor of the Review of Applied Ethics. In these books, readers ramble around in Isabel's mind -- a very interesting mind. Readers who crave action should go elsewhere, but for those of us who occasionally like a slower pace, The Charming Quirks of Others is just the ticket.
    • 5/5
      This series just gets better and better. It is full of kind-hearted and generous reflections on why people act the way they do: a real antidote to all the bitterness and anger that abounds in the media and online.
    • 5/5
      I love Isabelle Dalhousie. First of all, I find it exceptionally appealing that she is a philosopher - a woman philosopher in modern day. And secondly, it's truly humbling how frank she is with her thoughts and emotions - showing that even a philosopher can be prone to human frailties. But then that's where her power lies - she eventually comes to the fair conclusion in all her ruminations. Here is a sample of one: "There are so many grudges we can hold against the past and for the love and approval that we did not get from it. But if we forgive, then the past can lose its power to hurt".
    • 4/5
      This is the latest entry in Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie series. In it, Isabel is asked to investigate an anonymous letter and handle a rival for Jamie's affections. The book is peppered with McCall Smith's usual quiet insights and revelatory moments. I thought the novel was excellent, apart from some minor pushiness on Isabel's part.
    • 3/5
      I've finally had enough of Isabel Dalhousie, a moral philosopher who, in spite of her knowledge of and love for philosophy has an overflowing cauldron of personal guilt, an infinitesimal conviction of self worth, and a complete ability to give the benefit of the doubt to everyone except those she loves. If philosophy does no more for one than that, perhaps ignorance would be preferable.
    • 5/5
      I seem to like the Isabel Dalhousie series better with every book...I love the charming quirks of Isabel, her fiance Jaimie, son Charlie, somewhat dour housekeeper/friend Grace and the small, ordered world of Edinburgh. This book, which deals mostly with what people's characters are like, is,like the others in the series, as much for ruminating as for reading. Isabel is an ethical philosopher and very good company.
    • 3/5
      I have read several of the books in this series and enjoyed them very much.I was enthusiastic when I was offered this to read through the Vine program.Once begun, though I have to say that finishing this book was something of a chore.I don't think it quite measured up to the others in the series.Isabel is as pedantic and philophical as ever, and still has thatlittle annoying edge. Wher I previously found this to be somewhat enedearing and humanizing, something has changed. I feel that she is eding into the area of beingjust plain childish at times.I am gald that she and Jamie have a relationship. I thought it would gentle her.In some ways perhaps it has, but in others no so much. She seems to feel a superiority ove Cat, her niece. She also seems to carry a much wider judgemental streak than before, or perhaps I am only now finidng it annoying?I will say that Isabel knows how to get to the bootom of things. Whether it is another woman trying to lay claim to her significant other, or anonymous letter meant to cause someone else difficulites, Isabel can sort it out. I do still like that about her.There are some story lines that I think need to be brought together and new ones begeun. Or perhpas it is just time for a new seiries altogether? I don't think this one will be allowed to reah a natural end any time soon though. If you are a follower of the series, do read this. It is a quick read and you already know how she is, don't you? But this one seems to more a bridge than a destinationin this serires.
    • 3/5
      This is another in the Isabel Dalhousie series set in Scotland. In this episode, Isabel must investigate three candidates for principal in a local boy's school. I like Smith's style of exposing out private thoughts, even as we speak to individuals. Isabel is really a busybody, but justifies herself as a philosopher. I feel that at times, Isabel is too candid and too direct in her questions. Isabel is in love with Jamie, a much younger man. Together they have a small son. I feel that Isabel is not confident in this relationship, and eventually this will cause a rift. Smith's Dalhousie series always brings many hidden issues to the surface: love, hate, and death.
    • 5/5
      The Charming Quirks of Others is the 7th in the Isabel Dalhousie series by Alexander McCall Smith. Isabel has quite a bit on her plate: getting another edition of the Review of Applied Ethics published; looking into a poison-pen letter making accusations about applicants for the principal’s position of an illustrious boys’ school; dealing with a pretty cellist who has taken a fancy to Jamie; deciding whether to publish an unsolicited review by Professor Lettuce of Professor Dove’s latest book; and, not the least, organising her own wedding. As always, Isabel manages to jump to unfounded conclusions whilst being her unpredictable, clever, kind and occasionally exasperating self. On the way, she touches on book reviewers, verb tenses, forgiveness of oneself, politics, punishment, hatred, skateboarders, gossip magazines and ancestors, and gives us an excellent definition of vulgar curiosity. Isabel manages to show some insight into her tendency to misunderstand situations, and towards the end of this novel, has a Mma Ramotswe moment when she reflects on her love for her country. McCall Smith has an uncanny ability to write from a woman’s perspective, and many of the conversations his characters have are filled with wisdom and humour. Another thoroughly enjoyable instalment in the Isabel Dalhousie story.
    • 4/5
      Nothing much ever happens in these books, but they draw you in nevertheless. The mystery, as usual, is not central to the story and not taken very seriously. The heart of the story is Isabel's relationship with young Jamie and her new baby and her delightfully reflective and usual take on the ordinary things people do. A very unusual style, but an appealing one. In this particular entry in the series, I found the mystery to be a bit more forced and Isabel's involvement more awkward than usual, so I docked the rating a bit. I still will continue to read the next one!
    • 3/5
      Isabel is as enjoyable as ever. Interestingly, in this book, we get a few half glimpses into Jamie's mind.
    • 4/5
      Once again, Alexander McCall Smith gives us a treat. Isabel is once more discombobulated by a problem and has her own troubles at home. The Dalhousie novels are fast becoming my favourites.
    • 5/5
      One of the author's best books to date. The main storyline is well-plotted and the resolution is unexpected and surprising. In sum, it's an enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      Some may find the way this novel meanders as Isabel takes on the investigative challenge set for her, but that's the way life happens. She certainly has a lot of life happening to her, particularly as the investigation gets fairly close to home. Charming.