The Quiet Side of Passion

I loved this book. I can always count on having to seek definitions of words or phrases that are unfamiliar to me and I love learning in that way. I can also count on being struck by the author’s humor and love of civility and kindness. McCall Smith does not disappoint. When I was a hospice social worker I would recommend his books as being worthwhile for those for whom this might be the last book you would read. I would gladly make this my last book but I fervently hope this is not so. Give me more years and more McCall Smith books to read!

I\’ve read most of them. Got a bit tired of Mme Ramotswe and was disappointed at the concluding book of the 44 Scotland St. series which left Pat and others unfinished. This book, however, is a gem. Philosopher Isabel gets some real-life harsh lessons as a result of her continuous penchant for interfering into the lives of others. Isabel is a very human character in this book. More than simply an academic thinker, her human flaws are revealed and she suffers the consequences. Spoiler alert: she even gets assaulted while stalking a hapless acquaintance. Love Jamie–the ultimate good husband–he\’s a nice contrast to the flawed men in so many novels. Such men do exist! Also liked Grace, Claire, the ridiculously pompous Lettuce, and the hyper-sexed Antonia. The prolific and ultra-talented McCall Smith writes with great moral sensitivity and compassion. This is one fine book–his best, in my view.

The only problem I have with this series is I have to read a new book through once, really quickly, to find out what happens, and then after a few weeks, I go back and read what I missed the first time – all the things she thinks and talks about. I just wish each book was about 10 times longer, but I think that about each of his series, but especially Isabel Dalhousie and Scotland Street. Sometimes I feel like I know Edinburgh so well, I could find my way around in the dark, and yet I\’ve never been there and probably live 5,000 miles away.

My least favorite Dalhousie novel. This character didn’t seem like Isabel at all. Disappointing read all around. If another novel is in the works, hope its story line is a bit more thought through. This one was haphazard at best.

Not sure AMS knows what that means. The more time I spend with Isabel Dalhousie the more I question how an educated, opinionated, modern day woman has survived this long. She is elitist and pretends she\’s not, wealthy but abhors those of financial entitlement, a regular busybody that has self appointed herself to fix what she sees as not right with the world…according to her. She is contradictory regarding good looks and points these out to herself (the reader) as she has opinions of how that person perceives their looks in the company of the rest of us. All knowing, and receptive of the pleasure their gracing our presence brings. She worships beauty but condemns the beautiful…except Jamie, her husband. Not a book goes by that she doesn\’t mention his head turning good looks and laments how lucky she is to be the partner to this adonis! (Yuck! Throwup!) She philosophize about EVERYTHING. We can thank goodness she doesn\’t vocalize these thoughts. There are only so many hours in each day. If she would only use her commonsense, good judgement and intuition she\’d get more done, be more organized, and certainly more interesting. She is definitely AMS\’ alter ego. I find it absolutely absurd the length she\’d go to involve herself in Patricia and Basil (sr) affairs. She wants to reject Patricia\’s pushiness towards a \”friendship\” while mentally justifying the number of friends she has as being more than adequate, but maybe leaving room for \”friendliness\”. All this while inserting herself into this women\’s personal life and her son\’s paternity. It let\’s worse. She professes to have no opinions (approval or disapproval) on her niece\’s new romantic partner, on housekeeper Grace oversees the care and supervision of her sons Charlie and Mangus, the sexual chemistry (lust or love) of Eddie (neice Cat\’s employee) and Isabel\’s Italian au pair Antonia. Oh the days are too short. She\’s not finished meddling…her nemesis Professor Lettuce is having an affair with one of his teaching assistance. Yep, Isabel gets herself right in the middle.

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