The Sweet Remnants of Summer

Isabel Dalhousie, Book 14

By: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Our favorite moral philosopher is caught up in a delicate dispute between members of a prominent family as her husband, Jamie, is dragged into his own internecine rivalry.

Isabel accepts an invitation to serve on the advisory committee of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery but soon finds herself swept up in an all-too-familiar dilemma. David is the grandson of a Scottish clan chief and is supportive of Scottish nationalism. But his fervent beliefs are threatening family harmony, especially because his sister Catriona's socialist views put her at odds with her brother. When their mother, Laura, a fellow committee member, asks Isabel to intervene, she tries to demur. But always one for courteous resolutions to philosophical disagreements, Isabel can't help but intercede.

In the meantime, Jamie, having criticized Isabel for getting involved in the affairs of others, does precisely that himself. Jamie is helping to select a new cellist for his ensemble, but he suspects that the conductor may be focused on something other than his favored candidate's cello skills.

With so many factors complicating matters, Isabel and Jamie will have to muster all their tact and charm to ensure that comity is reached between all these fractious parties.

©2022 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2022 Recorded Books

Isabelle my favorite series.

Love Isabelle. Keep them coming. The philosophy, characters and Edinburgh as back drop. More please.

Creating Compassionate Understanding

Alexander McCall Smith characteristically enlarges our appreciation for and insights into the ability to develop empathic relationships that take us beyond our existing limitations of heart and mind.

always a great listen!

The books always make me think and wonder about the human condition. The hours just fly by!

Pay no attention to the Trumpers….

Apparently right wingers are so hate filled they can’t even read a book from an author with opposing views without ripping them to shreds in the reviews. They forget to talk about the way the book is written and the quality of the prose….how dare an author these days speaks to actual issues they care about without the wrath of the cultists.
I can’t believe how this culture wars has even spilled over onto literature.
The book was just as good if not better than the rest of the series. In true McCall-Smith fashion he weaves life philosophy into an interesting story with interesting characters. I could find no fault with this book.
I’m writing this review to reassure fans of this series that it is not preachy or “woke” not that there is anything wrong with being kind to people who are different… if that’s woke then we should all be woke. There was no reason to give this book bad reviews it only makes the reviewer look petty and closed minded.
It’s the same AMS we have always liked, it’s the readers who have changed. Pity that and shame on those who want to cancel an author for having a different opinion. Shameful and sad.

Rather talky but good.

I’ve read and or listened to all the Isobel Dalhouse books. They are read beautifully and they each have an interesting themes. This latest book is a thoughtful one with truth, forgiveness and acceptance as its themes. As always, Isobel gets herself involved and does her best to solve each problem. There is a great deal of love and kindness in this series and it has influenced my life for the better. Thank you A. M. Smith!

Delightful

I am a big fan of Alexander McCall Smith’s various series of books. I have enjoyed the Isabel Dalhousie series from book one. I enjoy her philosophic rambling thoughts while she solves problems not related to her random thoughts. AMS writes with settle humor and eloquent prose. I found reading this book on Sunday a perfect way to attempt to avoid the horrible heat wave.

I read this book as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Davina Porter is the perfect narrator for the Dalhousie series.

Alexander mccall smith is the best.

I have all his Delhousie books. I wait for them to be published.
He is my favorite author

Underdeveloped

I generally love this series, but this book feels like it’s half a book. So many plot threads that nothing was ever done with, and many storylines just feel undeveloped and unresolved. A disappointing story.

I sped it up

It took me a while and the decision to increase the speed to 1.2 to be able to continue hearing the book. Before that I felt the reader made a slow story painfully slow, but with the faster speed I liked it better. Otherwise the story is a total non event and I realize that the more books about Isabel Dalhousie come into being, the emptier and full of repeats they get. After all this time Jamie and Isabel have become less and less fleshed out characters and the philosophical insights more and more repetitive. Disappointingly the book felt like a chore to finish for me.

Very disappointed

I had really been looking forward to a new Isabel Dalhousie book. However, the book felt like a lecture, and the author seemed to be ticking off various boxes of liberal thought. Sigh. Will be returning this one.