A Distant View of Everything

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Davina Porter

In this latest installment of Alexander McCall Smith's ever-delightful and perennially best-selling series, amateur sleuth and philosopher Isabel Dalhousie is called upon to help when a matchmaker begins to question her latest match.

A new baby brings an abundance of joy to Isabel Dalhousie and her husband, Jamie - but Isabel's almost four-year-old son, Charlie, is none too keen on his newborn brother. In fact Charlie refuses to acknowledge Magnus, and Isabel must find a way to impress upon her older son the patience and understanding that have served as guiding principles in her own life.

These are, of course, the qualities that bring Rosemary Hipple, an old acquaintance of Isabel's, to seek her help in a tricky situation. Rosemary is something of a matchmaker and has brought together a cosmetic surgeon and a successful banker at her most recent dinner party. But new information comes to light about the cosmetic surgeon that causes Rosemary to doubt the auspiciousness of the match. Isabel agrees to find out more, but her inquiries take an unexpected turn, and she starts to wonder which of the two she should be investigating after all. As ever, her intelligence, quick wit, and deep empathy for others will come to her aid as she grapples with the issues that are her bread and butter: friendship and its duties, the obligation of truthfulness, and the importance of perspective.

©2017 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2017 Recorded Books

least favorite McCall-Smith

Isabel's mind's tendency to stray made this story line too slow.
Back to Bertie for me!

Delightful

I enjoy the musings of Isabel Dalhousie. I do understand that readers either love or hate the Sunday Philosophy Club Series. When I learned there was a new book, I could hardly wait to get it. Reading the book, I feel as if I have just stopped by Isabel’s house for a cup of tea and a chat.

Isabel has had another child, a boy named Magnus. Charlie is now four years old. Isabel is again involved in solving problems. This time with Bea, who is sort of a local matchmaker. She is trying to bring together a cosmetic surgeon and a banker and discovers a problem which she wants Isabel to fix. Isabel has her usual philosophical ruminations.

The book is almost eight hours long. One of my favorite female narrators, Davina Porter, narrates this series. She did a magnificent job with the narration. Porter is a classically trained stage actor from Scotland and in this book her slight Scottish accent comes through. I have listened to Porter narrate books for over twenty years. She has a beautiful voice and is a master of various dialects and accents. She has won over nineteen Audiofile Earphone Awards, the Golden Voice Award as well as the 2006 Audie Award for Best Female Narrator.

Kind of meanders, love the narrator

Kind of like reading a persons diary. Loved the Scottish accent and easy listening. Easy night time listening

Sadly, this was my least favorite Alexander McCall Smith book of the series. It just didn’t hold my interest.

I’ve been wondering why it didn’t hold my interest, and I think it was simply less rich. It didn’t delve into the individual psychology of the characters as much as his writing typically does, nor did it really get into the craggy areas of interpersonal relationships.
I also found the plot lines a bit dull.
Still a huge fan. They can’t all be homeruns

Enjoyable as always

The Sunday Philosophy Club series has a quiet and philosoohical tone with humorous insight. The books each feel like a personal friend of mine, which I can enjoy with plenty of recognition and many smiles. The series feels very real to me, and this latest installment is another joyful listen with the wonderful Davina Porter making it even more colourful and lovely.

Not the right voice for Isabel

I know these books are not action packed and generally like it that way, but this one was a little bit too slow, too much stream of consciousness. But mainly I felt the voice of the reader did not suit Isabel, it lacked a smile, a softness that would be more fitting to Isabel‘s personality. A little while ago I heard a short novella about Isabel and her household, called Sweet, Thoughtful Valentine and think that reader was perfect. All the previous books I had read, maybe that causing my surprise when listening to this one.