Monday, 23 February 2009

  • The Sunday Philosophy Club

    Over the weekend I drove from Georgia to Michigan and back again.  That gave me the opportunity to listen to two excellent books on tape:  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Sunday Philosophy Club.

    While Guernsey is a charming love story that takes places during an unfortunate time period (war), I will have to say that I enjoyed Alexander McCall Smith's book more and am totally enchanted with the main character, Isabel Dalhousie.  I dont know when I've been so taken with a sleuth.  Perhaps not since Nancy Drew

    Besides the literary and artistic references scattered throughout this murder mystery, the author peppers the story line with open-ended philosphical questions and commentary on society in general.  I largely ignored the ethical questions, probably because I liked Isabel so much and didnt want to disagree with her.  Furthermore, I loved her comments on telephone manners; her franknesss which caused her to approach a teenager on the street and ask him why he had spikes in his lip, and her ability to apologize in person and on paper.

    Of course, Isabel solved the murder in the very last chapter, but I'd have to say that this book is worth a re-read in order to savor the nuances of all personalities involved in this Scottish clan.

     

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    The Sunday Philosophy Club (Isabel Dalhousie Mysteries)
    By Alexander Mccall Smith
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Comments (9)

  • Isn't McCall Smith's humor dry and witty? I read 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales with the same response. He introduced me to Scottish artists (Peploe and others) and entertained me with the asides. His books generally provoke laugh out loud moments for me.

  • @magistramater - so, how does Precious strike you?  Do you like the ones set in Botswana, is it?  I've ordered more to the Isabel ones from PPS, so that should keep me stocked for a while.
  • I am with Carol - I wouldn't have known about Peploe had it not been for Alexander McCall Smith. I like the Isabel Dalhousie series (and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series) because they are NOT sensational. And by that, I mean that they are not over-the-top-in-your-face luridly detailed mysteries.

    I'm slowly working through the 44 Scotland Street books because they're nice, and it's good to know one has a nice book one hasn't yet read. This weekend Steve and I have to fly to San Diego for a couple of days. I'll be taking a couple of McCall Smith's books with me!

  • @LauraLLD - so Laura, which No 1 Detective Agency book  do you like the best?  Or which one would you recommend be my first.

    Also, y'all check out the author's website.... he's started an RTO (Really Terrible Orchestra - like the one mentioned in the Phil Club book) and they're performing in New York City in April!!  He'll be visiting Boise to promote his newest book, too... The Tea one?

    Isnt that a funny name for an orchestra?
  • I love Precious Romatswe. I think the earlier books are better than the later ones. McCall Smith is one of those authors who can write the other gender's thoughts so authentically. In the No. 1 Ladie's books he not only writes across the gender, but across the culture. What a gifted man!
  • Popping in to give my opinion: Start with the first book, The No. 1 Ladie's Detective agency. The books build upon each other and that gives you the context.

    Thank you for telling me he will be in Boise! I'll have to see if I can get over when he's there! I love the RTO name. They are all amateur musicians playing for the love of it.

    Dana! I have to do school today and you are far more interesting than Collin's senior thesis....(I didn't write that, did I?)
  • Again, I am Carol's echo: start with the first book in the series - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - and read them in order. The first one is not the best, but without it one would be missing so much information about Precious. There is another one that is not my favorite (The Full Cupboard of Life), but again, without it, one misses a lot of information and storyline that continues in the next book. And the next book (In the Company of Cheerful Ladies) was so good I was happy with the series again!

  • @magistramater - Okay, I can make this like schoolwork.   What's the topic and has he developed his thesis statement?  When is it due?

  • I've just started reading the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series -- I read the first two last month and have started the third today.  I really really like Smith's style.  I loved the chapter in the first book that was Obed Ramotswe's memoir.  I love his way of talking about love for your own people and your own place.

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