What better escape from the daily grind is there than to virtually accompany philosopher Isabel Dalhousie on her rounds through Edinburgh, as she solves problems large and small, conquers moral dilemmas and generally puts everyone's lives to rights.
Actually I don't just want to accompany Isabel, I want to be her. She's admired, respected and loved by nearly everyone, with the possible exception of the annoying Dr. Lettuce (one of McCall Smith's perfectly-named characters), and she lives in a large and lovely inherited home with her charming, handsome and considerably younger husband, a professional musician, and her two young boys. She edits a journal of philosophy, occasionally helps out in her niece's gourmet delicatessen, and attends a lot of concerts and plays. She also continues to cultivate Brother Fox, who lives in the woods behind her home, with the occasional roast chicken. It's a very good life and she's a good person.
I just finished this latest installment a few evenings ago and closed the book with contentment. All was made right in Isabel's world, and thus, for a little while, I shared in her good fortune. It definitely made me sleep better, and that is worth 5 stars anytime.
No comments:
Post a Comment