sherming's review against another edition
1.0
After 1 disc of the 7 in the set I was still waiting for a plot to catch my interest. And while this was a disc I was using for bedtime story listening, it was so uninteresting that I had to work to keep from falling asleep after only a couple of minutes so I could try to get a more interesting part of the story.
magistratrium's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this one more than the last couple. Isabel meets a philosopher who is visiting from Australia for work and who asks Isabel to help her locate her father. Alongside this main storyline are side stories, including a new complication in her relationship with Cat, another run in with Professor Lettuce, fall out from one of Grace's spiritualist meetings, and the daily happenings of Charlie, Brother Fox, Jamie, and Isabel herself. If I ever have the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh, it will already seen familiar after the wonderful descriptions included in the books in this series. Definitely one of my favorite comfort read series.
ruthie_the_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
Big sigh of relief that this was back up to AMS' usual standard.
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag.
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Isabel_Dalhousie:_The_Forgotten_Affairs_of_Youth_by_Alexander_McCall_Smith
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag.
http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Isabel_Dalhousie:_The_Forgotten_Affairs_of_Youth_by_Alexander_McCall_Smith
wayinsane220's review against another edition
4.0
A very thoughtful protagonist, the philosopher, Isabel, shares her experiences and intelligence with the reader as she wrestles with everyday life in Edinburgh. I enjoy books filled with "25 cent words" and foreign territory.
karenchase's review against another edition
3.0
I am Smith's number one fan, and it pains me to put only 3 stars on this review. Sadly, I feel that Isabel Dalhousie is beginning to run her course, or perhaps this story was simply a bit weak and there was a bigger than normal dollop of Isabel's constant inner philosophical monologue, which unfortunately broke the flow of the narrative a few too many times here. The mystery at hand, of a grown woman seeking her father, was interesting but every twist was predictable and took something away from its impact. All that said, I look forward to the next installment, as I am not prepared to give p on Isabel--yet.
juniperusxx's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot! In the beginning this series wasn't my favorite, I liked Mme Ramotswe more, but I've grown to enjoy Isabel Dalhousie and the these other characters as well. Reading McCall Smith always calms me down and makes the world a better place!
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
3.0
This series is getting a little tiresome, but I still feel compelled to read on. I'm not giving up yet.
dmchurch's review against another edition
4.0
When Isabel meets a woman searching for her birth father, she agrees to help as usual. Other elements of family from Grace calling herself Charlie s aunt, Isabel s relationship with Cat, her engagement and pending marriage to Jamie, meeting Dove s nephew, as well as reflecting on past relationships allows Isabel to see the complexities of how we define family. As usual Isabel's reflections turn philosophical.
originalstepher's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0