The Charming Quirks of Others by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest in his series about Isabel Dalhousie, an Edinburgh philosopher who often obeys what she sees as a moral imperative to do a bit of investigation into a troubling matter - though her friends often see it as an inability to mind her own business. Isabel is full of her own charming quirks, and if I knew her, I, too, would seek out her advice and help. As with everything he writes, McCall Smith's Dalhousie books are so imbued with a sense of place that the character of the city defines the action as much as anything else. And as with many of his characters, her wisdom and considered thought about everyday moments enable Isabel to discern motives that others would prefer stay hidden. I've read just about all of McCall Smith's adult fiction now, and most of it on audiobook - his work is well-narrated by some extremely talented voices, and it's always fun to listen.
Nick Hornby is another author I generally enjoy, but I haven't made much of an effort to read his complete works, as is my wont with authors I like. After finishing A Long Way Down, I might just have to change that. (On one bookshelf or another around here we should have his latest, since R reviewed it.) The unlikely protagonists here are four disparate souls who meet on the roof of a tall London building on New Year's Eve - and they're not there to watch the fireworks. Suicide with an audience daunts all of them, so they instead forge a bond that keeps them all going, at least for a bit. While they don't get around to liking each other much, the support does allow them each to begin valuing themselves. The scandal-ridden t.v. personality, the lonely mother of a severely disabled son, the rebellious teen, and the washed-up musician are largely the same people at the end, but they are (spoiler!) still alive, and intend to keep it that way, which makes all the difference.
A Long Way Down is my favorite nick hornby, with About a Boy running a close second.
ReplyDeleteNow I have even more books to read!
ReplyDelete