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    The Right Attitude to Rain
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    The Right Attitude to Rain
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    The Right Attitude to Rain
    Audiobook8 hours

    The Right Attitude to Rain

    Written by Alexander McCall Smith

    Narrated by Davina Porter

    3.5/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    Mysteries of love, romance and truth-telling lie at the heart of Isabel Dalhousie's concerns in Alexander McCall Smith's new Sunday Philosopher's Club novel. Isabel's niece Cat is still worshipped by the young musician, Jamie, but Cat has a new and unsuitable love-interest. Meanwhile Isabel's Texan cousins have arrived in Edinburgh and are provoking a quite separate set of dilemmas. In between these events and complications, Edinburgh life continues, calmly sailed through by Isabel, her housekeeper, Grace, and, of course, that cautious resident of Isabel's garden, brother Fox. His alone is the uncomplicated existence...
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherW. F. Howes Ltd
    Release dateDec 4, 2014
    ISBN9781471283956
    Unavailable
    The Right Attitude to Rain
    Author

    Alexander McCall Smith

    Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

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    Reviews for The Right Attitude to Rain

    3.5/5

    461 ratings29 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Apparently this is the third book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Isabel is a philosopher who edits a journal of applied ethics and is independently well-off. Nothing much seems to happen for most of the book, but Isabel's internal dialog is interesting enough that I didn't mind, until what should have felt like a significant event didn't feel that way. There are different couples or potential couples in different stages of relationships and Isabel spends a lot of time and thought about them and her responsibility or lack thereof to help them.Isabel promised her father that she would look after Grace, who had worked for him and is now Isabel's housekeeper. Unlike the Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility, who decide that helping his father's second family is satisfied by a small lump sum payment, Isabel feels compelled to buy an apartment for Grace. This leads to ethical problems for Isabel when the current owner decides to lower the price because she thinks that Isabel and her friend Jamie are a couple. Personally, I was also concerned that Grace would be presented with an apartment that she didn't want. The library that provided the book put a "Mystery" sticker on the cover. I suppose the previous books may have been mysteries. The only possible mystery is a fire that occurs elsewhere at the end of the story and we never definitely find out whodunit. (I have my suspicions.)I enjoyed reading a story with an intelligent, considerate woman who overthinks things.
    • 4/5
      The Isabel Dalhousie series never disappoints me (thus far). They are mysteries that aren't exactly mysteries. They're love stories, or philosophical studies, or plain fiction but still have the feel that there will always be something that needs to be "solved". This time Isobel is looking for a flat for her housekeeper and she takes an interest in an American couple who just don't seem "right" to her. And, then, of course, there is Jamie......
    • 3/5
      Love is patient, allegedly. But sometimes it’s rather insistent, especially if it is standing right there in front of you demanding that it be acknowledged. Isabel Dalhousie has long has special feelings for Jamie, the tall, handsome, gentle man whom her niece once dated, then rejected. Jamie is a musician, a singer, and a bassoonist. And he is the nicest man that Isabel has ever known. But could he be more? Could they?The path of love is not always straight but it can sometimes be true. And here it feels so right that Isabel and Jamie should end up together. Though “end up” sounds wrong. Rather that they should go on together. However with so many examples around them of mistaken relationships and outright bad choices (and people), it’s small wonder that they might be suspicious of the possibility of love for themselves. After there is the special barrier between them in this case — Isabel is a philosopher!As this series develops, Alexander McCall Smith’s characters become richer and more believable, but also more vulnerable to harm. Which might be unbearable from the reader’s perspective. Fortunately he offers just enough intrigue and happenstance to balance the onward development of Isabel and Jamie’s love. Very sweet.And easy to recommend.
    • 3/5
      Enjoyable light read putting one in the usual selection on philosophical dilemas.
    • 4/5
      This novel fills in all the blanks about Jamie and Isabel falling in love and getting together. Cat and Isabel have a standoff at one point because Cat is jealous of Isabel's and Jamie's love and just will not talk to Isabel for a time. Most of this book has Isabel's cousin and wife from TX visiting Scotland and they visit someone from TX who has relocated to Scotland (along with his betrothed) who wants to get his mitts on her Jamie. Eventually Tom and Angie of said couple break up but it looks like she may have taken her revenge out on his house in trying to burn it down with him in it. Vindictive yes?
    • 3/5
      In this third installment of the series featuring the Edinburgh philosopher, Isabel Dalhousie’s cousin Mimi arrives with her husband, Joe, from Dallas for a visit. Mimi introduces Isabel to Tom Bruce, a wealthy Texas who has recently become engaged to Angie. But Angie seems much more interested in Isabel’s friend Jamie, who used to date Isabel’s niece, Cat. Meanwhile, Cat seems to be falling for a totally unsuitable young man.

      What I really like about this series are Isabel’s philosophical musings, and this one is no exception. The central ethical dilemma seems to be when to keep one’s mouth shut vs when to tell all one knows. Is it interfering to let someone know what you’ve observed? Is it appropriate to voice one’s feelings for someone who is clearly attached to another?

      I like the developing relationships in the series, which are slowly forming, as they do in real life, with occasional missteps, tiffs, and make-ups.

      Hilary Neville does a fine job performing the audiobook. She has good pacing and I love the way she voices Isabel. However, I didn’t realize I had received an abridged audio until the second disc, and I then abandoned the audio to read the text.
    • 4/5
      The Isabel Dalhousie series started off in cozy mystery territory with the first book [book:The Sunday Philosophy Club|15904] which did have a mysterious death to be solved. The second book [book:Friends, Lovers, Chocolate|97884] made the mysteries more domestic and this third book is solidly in romance fiction territory which is normally not my genre. Smith's characters though are great company with the very personable Isabel Dalhousie, her spiritualist housekeeper Grace, her friend/possible bff Jamie, her niece Cat and her deli/cofe workers Eddie & Miranda. Each book is filled with Isabel's observations on life and often has interesting trivia and history about Edinburgh, Scotland or all sorts of topics. So I'm kind of intrigued to see how the rest of the series continues. Plus with #FictionalCharactersThatLoveArvoPärt how can you go wrong ;) ?
    • 2/5
      How did I miss the mystery part of this novel? More to the point, how was it that I was enjoying the writing style and connecting with Isabel Dalhousie but disliking too much of the book? A few reviewers have classified this book as Romance or Chick Lit; I know little about either genre but maybe that's what I was missing in this novel. I'm ready to wait a long time until I ever pick up another Alexander McCall Smith. Parting is such sweet sweet.
    • 3/5
      Chick lit by a male? If you think it's not possible, read this book.
    • 4/5
      Love- Can it exist between an older man and a younger woman? Can it exist between a younger man and an older woman? Is money an influence?Isabel’s cousin, Mimi arrives in Edinburgh from Dallas to visit and introduces her to her friend Tom Bruce. Tom’s young fiancé seems more interested in Isabel’s young friend Jamie than in Tom himself. Is it Tom’s money the only thing keeping her in the relationship? Isabel sets out to find out much to her friend Jamie’s advice--he thinks she should 'butt out’…..The Right Attitude to Rain, the 3rd book in the Isabel Dalhousie series, is another quiet yet remarkable book. It is not a book of espionage or passionate romance but it does have some ‘philosophical issues’, a bit of sleuthing… and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. And it takes place in Edinburgh—one of my favorite places!
    • 3/5
      This is the second McCall Smith I picked up in the library. I seem to love his titles, but I am, again, a little disappointed. As a matter of fact, I though I picked up the same book again and needed to check. It was not the same one, but still it is more or less - the same. I suppose this is good news for fans of his work, but I will be really careful from now on, not to get fooled by another clever title.
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable. This is the only Alexander McCall Smith series I've read and the start wasn't auspicious, mostly because when I picked up the first book I expected a traditional mystery story and didn't get one. I wasn't planning on reading further, especially as I also found Isabel Dalhousie's moralising to be rather tiresome, but by some quirk of fate ended up having a go at the second book, Friends, Lovers, Chocolate and falling for the series.

      This is more of the same, but with some very welcome changes in attitude, which I won't go into as I feel as though they would be too spoiler-ish. As usual, some mysterious-ish stuff is going on, but it isn't really the focus and isn't really "solved". This no longer worries me at all, as I enjoy the slow-paced wander through Edinburgh and philosophy.
    • 5/5
      -- I put down a 14th century Italian novel to cleanse my palate with RIGHT ATTITUDE TO RAIN. It's in the Isabelle Dahousie series. (Smith also wrote No. Ladies Detective Agency novels.) Characters are familiar. Isabelle is a philosopher. She edits "Review of Applied Ethics." Cat is Isabelle's niece & owner of a delicatessan. Eddie is a young man empioyed by Cat. Grace is Isabelle's housekeeper. Jamie is Cat's ex-boyfriend & Isabelle's new boyfriend. In RIGHT ATTITUDE Isabelle houses second cousin Mimi with husband Joe from Dallas while they're in Edinburgh. Tom & Angie are also Texans in Scotland. Readers accompany Isabelle as she approaches issues from moral & ethical angles. I like her company. --
    • 2/5
      “The Right Attitude to Rain” is a cozy mystery written by McCall Smith. I listened to this book which kept my attention as the reader did a good job with the characters. Isabel Dalhousis is a philosopher who has a very conservative view of herself and of the moral aspects of life's. In this book she grapples with romantic relationships between individuals of different ages. She also grapples with the importance of the opinions of others related to the freedoms one might enjoy in one’s own life. She both interferes and has strong ideas about others choices in life, but all of her actions are well meaning and kindly. I found this to be a bit boring and a very predictable story line. The ending was a bit abrupt for the time spent developing the story. Not one of my favorite books.
    • 3/5
      Thought the ending was a little flat.......Didnt build enough on Jaime's character to make you either like him or hate him. Also did like the interaction between Cat and Isabel. That should of been resolved a bit more. Ok read but felt a little unfinished.
    • 3/5
      Rating: 3 disappointed stars of fiveThe Book Report: Isabel Dalhousie, moral philosopher and newly reawakened lust-pot, entertains her American cousin and her husband in this third installment of the Sunday Philosophy Club series of novels. Much happens, all of it spoilery, but one big thing occurs here: Isabel finally asks her younger musician friend and lust object, Jamie, to bed. He, unsurprisingly, says yes.Isabel does this because almost everyone in her world spends the whole book saying, "So! Boinked Jamie yet? He's obviously hot for you, what'cha waitin' for?" or words to that effect. The Big Event At Last!My Review: And what happens when love thwarted becomes love consummated? Remember Moonlighting? Before Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis Did The Deed, it was sparkling, witty, and fun; after, such a snooze it shoulda been available only by prescription.Same ol' same ol' here. This book isn't *bad* but...there is something just too expected, or something just not suspenseful enough...it's just not fully engaging, like the first two are. But things will get better next time. I know they will.They HAVE TO.
    • 5/5
      Davina Porter delivers a beautiful presentation of this charming story in the Isabel Dalhousie series.
    • 4/5
      Isabel just Shines! I have always enjoyed the Isabel Dalhousie's books and in my opinion The Right Attitude to Rain is a notch above the others. Even though Isabel was still analyzing family and friends, and coming to her own conclusions in the story was a departure from the other books. Isabel's niece, Cat, has a different personality or a different side, maybe that's what I'm trying to say. Oh well, no need to expound on the plot and other parts of the story because it would only spoil it for you.In summary, Mr. Smith has created a super story in which you will definitely care for the characters.
    • 4/5
      The main character is so irritating! It's okay for her to be independently wealthy with an income from her dead mother's family business, but woe betide anyone else who dares to show the slightest interest in money. Artists, musicians, academics and Bohemian delicatessen owners are okay, but lawyers are beyond the pale, even though her own father was a lawyer.But I'm still going to read the fourth book in the series when I get my hands on a copy.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this episode of Isabel Dalhosie's life. I do not understand why it should be called a mystery. Maybe the mystery of life ?
    • 3/5
      Another Isabel Dalhousie novel. I know they're formulaic, but I still enjoy these books. Makes EWdinburgh look like an attractive place to live - at least for the few weeks that count as summer! Read April 2010.
    • 4/5
      Very good. Loved the end.
    • 5/5
      Charming, as usual, a feel-good book, like all books of this author.
    • 4/5
      This instalment of Isabel Dalhousie’s life and loves is an utter delight – revealing depths to Isabel’s feelings and character even more than the previous books. Instead of learning about our main protagonist from her thoughts and contemplations, and through her associations with others, we are now offered a full, profound realisation of Isabel herself. It is June in Edinburgh and, besides her editing of The Review of Applied Ethics, and the difficulties self-imposed with this, Isabel has her sunny days filled with procuring an apartment for Grace, her housekeeper; a month-long visit from her much-loved American cousin Mimi; and her burgeoning awareness, and acknowledgement, of her feelings for Jamie. And still with time to speculate, and meddle, in the affairs of an American couple staying for the summer in Edinburgh.The Right Attitude to Rain thus offers a more fleshed-out story of former anecdotes, especially some only briefly alluded to in the past books. Isabel’s history, and her mother’s; her relationship with Grace, her responsibilities, her desires, her needs and her dreams are given more substance, along with a release from the anguish of her earlier hurt. And this release is possible as Isabel, along with everyone around her, recognises her developing intimacy with her younger man. The reactions and responses this elicits provide a great deal of laughs, much soul-searching from within, a large dose of jealousy from other women and at times, a degree of poignancy that bites deeply. For Isabel is in love; and her musings and her reflections, her attitudes and her actions – all these are forthwith coloured and, at times, controlled by this unexpected state of bliss.Alexander McCall Smith, in my opinion, with the use of simple words and basic stories, offers an intimate, complex illustration of the possibilities of life which surrounds him everyday. With small anecdotes he delivers thought-provoking ideas, with the use of common examples he entertains complicated scenarios; and with gentle persuasion he allows intelligent, sympathetic, but perceptive, observations of humankind. Did I mention utterly delightful? What about the twist at the end? That’s the only mystery in this book – where will he take Isabel with this? That I eagerly anticipate!
    • 4/5
      Good, but a bit rushed.
    • 1/5
      Usually Alexander McCall Smith's novels are very gentle and full of lovely observations about human behaviour. However I thought this one was extremely slow and quite pointless. I thought Isabel Dalhousie has lost the plot. Where was the mystery?
    • 4/5
      His books are not extremely plot driven, but his writing style and character development make reading each book like having an delicious dessert.
    • 4/5
      I've found the two books I've read about Isabel Dalhousie to be somewhat aloof in style. It's hard to tell sometimes when she is kidding, emotional, or whether she is just musing or endorsing her thoughts. This one included a bit more emotion, so I'm starting to care more about her. It also included more from other characters' viewpoints, but disconcertingly styled so that I always had to doubletake to discern whether it was Isabel thinking about them, or the author sharing their thoughts. Third person narrative is not usually difficult that way.
    • 4/5
      Alexander McCall Smith's novels are very gentle and full of lovely observations about human behaviour. This is the third book in the Sunday Philosophy Club series about Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher, amateur detective and Edinburgh resident. I'm always sorry when I finish these novels and this was no exception, with a surprise ending that left me wondering where the story will go next. Highly recommended.