Reviews

The Careful Use of Compliments by Alexander McCall Smith

ellanicholas's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No

2.5

jjp723's review against another edition

4.0

*I am blessed, and being blessed is something more than just having something; it is a state of mind in which the good of the world is illuminated, is understood.*

dlemieur's review against another edition

3.0

I'm getting hooked...

stelaw's review against another edition

2.0

Another ramble by McCall-Smith in the world of Isabel Dalhousie. As usual nothing much happens, though there is a flash of out of character Machiavellian machination which was mildly amusing.

jaepingsu's review against another edition

5.0

This one is a little bit more mystery-oriented than the previous books in the series, especially the last one (which was almost exclusively character-building). The addition of a baby luckily didn't over-power the story, and the mystery is actually a pretty good one this time. Two paintings by a deceased artist, Andrew McInnis, show up for sale, and Isabel is determined to investigate into whether or not they are forgeries.

Definitely fun if you enjoy the characters, and I was very happy to see more of a mystery to balance things out.

adamsistliterarygarden's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

libraryassistant_4th's review against another edition

3.0

Probably 3.5 stars. I’m still chuckling as I write this. The level of imagination required to invent someone with the level of imagination of Isabel! I appreciate and am frustrated by her in nearly equal measure. The denouement of two of the several plot lines in this one are well worth the price of admission.

rosalindroe's review

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

fasola4mi's review against another edition

4.0

I'm so glad I gave this series another chance. I didn't like the first entry too much. I found Isabel's philosophical musings to be dithery and self-righteous. But she's grown on me, and this book is my favorite in the series so far. I appreciate her struggles with parenting and negotiating the changing relationships with her young lover, her niece, and her housekeeper. I also enjoyed the depiction of the power struggle with a hostile colleague, and even the mystery about the potential art forgery was satisfying. I also enjoyed the visit to Edinburgh and to the islands. My favorite part about the book was Isabel's description of being in a state of blessedness-- an awareness of how good her life is and how much she loves it and all the people in it.

dinachristina's review against another edition

funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.25