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ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
5.0
Read & reviewed for the bookbag: http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=A_Distant_View_of_Everything_by_Alexander_McCall_Smith
Ah, Isabel Dalhousie! The more I read about Isabel, the more I like her. I could see, in this book in particular, how annoying she could potentially be as a friend, since she is forever gazing off into the distance, heading into her inner imaginings rather than staying focussed on the conversation, and yet I think she would be an interesting, and thought-provoking, sort of friend to have. In this, the eleventh novel in the series, Isabel finds herself once more embroiled in someone else's business. She, and her husband Jamie, are starting to be resigned to the fact that she just can't help but get involved! Mysteries abound, both in this business and in her own family life, as we watch her day to day doings up in Edinburgh.
Charlie has the biggest changes to deal with, in this story, as he suddenly finds himself with a baby brother, Magnus. I rather like the entry of another child on the scene, since Charlie no longer behaves like the perfect child and, instead, is really very against the entry of a new child into their lives! I'm looking forward to see how Magnus will change things in the household in the future. I did feel a little jealous of how 'easy' Isabel has things - with Grace there to take care of the children whenever she needs her too, sometimes things feel just a little too convenient for Isabel. I'm quite sure Isabel never turns up for work with her hair unbrushed, or toothpaste stains on her top as I do, and there is a little bit of me that resents her for her excellent cook of a husband, and her 'housewife', Grace, who helps her with everything!
Anyway, the mystery this time relates to a friend of Isabel's who has been matchmaking and now fears she has made an unfortunate, and possibly dangerous match! Isabel must tread carefully in order to investigate a man's credentials, to try and uncover the truth of what is going on. Isabel's niece, Cat, is also proving very mysterious with her new friend. Cat refuses to divulge where they met, and Isabel's imagination is running riot!
The story has a good pace throughout, and I felt there was a good mixture of things happening alongside of the things going on in Isabel's head. I did, once again, get a little twitchy about Isabel and Jamie, and whether everything was going to be okay. You'll be relieved to hear it's another happy ending, thank goodness! There's music, and philosophical discussion, and baby talk, as well as some sadness, and through it all is Isabel's gentle, enquiring nature shining through.
The garden-visiting fox also pays a couple of visits, and so everything feels just as it should, in this little corner of Edinburgh. If I had any complaint at all it would only be that the book felt just a little too short...I wanted more! Perhaps I always feel that way with AMS's books, that I would like just a little bit more to read, since he is one of my absolute favourite authors, and he is rapidly taking over the bookshelves of my home with his prolific writing! Happily, this is another excellent addition to the Isabel Dalhousie stories.
Ah, Isabel Dalhousie! The more I read about Isabel, the more I like her. I could see, in this book in particular, how annoying she could potentially be as a friend, since she is forever gazing off into the distance, heading into her inner imaginings rather than staying focussed on the conversation, and yet I think she would be an interesting, and thought-provoking, sort of friend to have. In this, the eleventh novel in the series, Isabel finds herself once more embroiled in someone else's business. She, and her husband Jamie, are starting to be resigned to the fact that she just can't help but get involved! Mysteries abound, both in this business and in her own family life, as we watch her day to day doings up in Edinburgh.
Charlie has the biggest changes to deal with, in this story, as he suddenly finds himself with a baby brother, Magnus. I rather like the entry of another child on the scene, since Charlie no longer behaves like the perfect child and, instead, is really very against the entry of a new child into their lives! I'm looking forward to see how Magnus will change things in the household in the future. I did feel a little jealous of how 'easy' Isabel has things - with Grace there to take care of the children whenever she needs her too, sometimes things feel just a little too convenient for Isabel. I'm quite sure Isabel never turns up for work with her hair unbrushed, or toothpaste stains on her top as I do, and there is a little bit of me that resents her for her excellent cook of a husband, and her 'housewife', Grace, who helps her with everything!
Anyway, the mystery this time relates to a friend of Isabel's who has been matchmaking and now fears she has made an unfortunate, and possibly dangerous match! Isabel must tread carefully in order to investigate a man's credentials, to try and uncover the truth of what is going on. Isabel's niece, Cat, is also proving very mysterious with her new friend. Cat refuses to divulge where they met, and Isabel's imagination is running riot!
The story has a good pace throughout, and I felt there was a good mixture of things happening alongside of the things going on in Isabel's head. I did, once again, get a little twitchy about Isabel and Jamie, and whether everything was going to be okay. You'll be relieved to hear it's another happy ending, thank goodness! There's music, and philosophical discussion, and baby talk, as well as some sadness, and through it all is Isabel's gentle, enquiring nature shining through.
The garden-visiting fox also pays a couple of visits, and so everything feels just as it should, in this little corner of Edinburgh. If I had any complaint at all it would only be that the book felt just a little too short...I wanted more! Perhaps I always feel that way with AMS's books, that I would like just a little bit more to read, since he is one of my absolute favourite authors, and he is rapidly taking over the bookshelves of my home with his prolific writing! Happily, this is another excellent addition to the Isabel Dalhousie stories.
cdbellomy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars for me. This book literally had no plot. I keep reading the series, waiting for something to happen, but nothing ever does. I actually ended up listening to the audiobook at double speed just to get through it.
dmchurch's review against another edition
Once again Isabel is drawn into a difficult situation involving a long-time acquaintance's match-making while balancing the demands of domestic life including adapting to a new baby.
sabinereadsbooks's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lisadolak's review against another edition
2.0
This book didn't do it for me. There was no point to the entire thing other than to allow her to wax poetic about the philosophy of life. Had the "mystery" been even slightly there, it would have made a huge difference. I see from reading the reviews that this series started out very strong but many people who loved the first installments are ready to give up on the series. I've done this in the past, chosen the worst book of a good series to start it. I'm not sure I will go back to the first one, though. I might try one of his other books, though as he is a very talented writer and writes about intellectual women.
carka88's review against another edition
4.0
I love Isabel and the mental messes she gets herself into. I enjoyed reading about her growing family and the ways that our minds can create difficulties even when none exist.
raekit's review against another edition
4.0
I just really enjoy the world of Isabel and Jaimie. I thought that maybe it would get old but it really doesn't. I'm glad there are more books to wrap myself in, like a comfortable well-worn sweater.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
This series really is my cozy, happy place. I love reading about the daily life and habits of Isabel and Jamie and their family and friends. The interpersonal relationships are deep and sometimes change a lot. I feel like we are getting glimpse into the author's mind, when Isabel goes into one of her deep reveres and I love that it also makes me think about many important things in life that I never would have analyzed before. The love between Jamie and Isabel for each other, no matter what is so lovely to read about. They really love each other for themselves and take each other's quirks in stride. I cannot wait to get the next one and go back into this happy (though not always drama free) world.