Isabel finds herself entangled in some tricky familial and financial situations that will require all of her kindness, charm, and philosophical expertise to navigate. Just when Isabel and Jamie finally seem to have some time to connect and unwind, a wealthy Edinburgh resident reaches out to Isabel with an unusual request—he would like her to become the executor of his large Highland estate. … Highland estate. Though Isabel initially demurs, he presses on. He has only a short time to live, and, without any direct heirs, is struggling to determine which of his three cousins would be the best caretaker. Should it go to the bohemian artist, the savvy city property developer, or the quiet, unassuming bachelor?
As if this weren’t enough to keep Isabel occupied, she’s also spending more time helping her niece Cat at the deli. Cat, perennially unlucky in love, seems to have finally found her match in the leonine Leo. But Isabel is beginning to suspect that Leo might be interested in more than Cat’s charms, namely her access to the family trust. Isabel will need to rely upon remarkable reserves of intelligence and compassion in order to give all parties exactly what they want and deserve—no more, and no less.
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I love this series!! Can’t wait for the next one to come out.
Novels by Alexander McCall Smith are my “happy books”. I can forget about world’s problems whenever I read his novels. This novel is set in Edinburgh, Scotland. I can virtually travel to Edinburgh while reading the book.
The Geometry of Holding Hands by Alexander McCall Smith is a lovely look into the lives of Isabel and Jamie, who have a simple life, really. Isabel is a philosopher, which seems to mean she makes everything complicated, and she veers off in tangents while she is thinking. Jamie is much more simple, a music teacher and father to their children. In many ways, more of a father than she is a mother. There is also her niece, Cat, who owns and runs a deli, where Isabel helps out on a regular basis, and now, Cat’s new fiancé, Leo, who seems to Isabel and Jamie to be a bit useless. One day while Isabel is working at the deli, a nice man comes in and asks to speak to her. At the end of their conversation, he asks Isabel to be the executor of his will, simply because of how she thinks and sees things. She later agrees. With some other issues on her plate, she becomes overwhelmed and strives to deal with them.
Reading this book is like visiting with Smith. He tends to ramble and veer off into channels away from the topic, charmingly so. Isabel is a thoughtful character, who tends to complicate things by over-thinking them. Jamie is her balance. The relationship works perfectly for them. It is the ideal pairing. There is a minimal plot. That is OK. It is a very relaxing book to read, a joy really. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of The Geometry of Holding Hands by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thegeometryofholdinghands
Peculiar Story
Having never read this author previously, I found myself surprised by this book. It’s listed as a mystery—actually three different categories of *detective* mysteries at Amazon—but there is no true element of mystery at all to it, not in the traditional sense. Instead, it feels like slice-of-life moments and the mental meanderings of a philosopher as she ponders ethical dilemmas that people present to her. I didn’t even really get a sense of a plot—certainly no palpable rising action, climax, and denouement. I’m not sure if this experience would have been improved if I had read the previous books in the series. If they are like this one, my guess is probably not. The book just did not work for me.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Refreshing to read about a heroine dedicated to doing what’s right, not expedient
4.5stars
I love Isabel Dalhousie’s goodness, commitment to living (rather than just talking) the ethical life, and her love for her husband Jamie. Even with perfect strangers she is thoughtful about doing what’s ethical and kind rather than focusing on her own self interest or the expedient solution. Yes, thanks to her privileged. upbringing, education and occupation she is heavily invested in intellectual conversation and her daydreaming takes her way off topic, but that’s why she is a singular heroine who defies tropes.
This story throws Isabel’s ethical behavior in sharp contrast to that of her moody niece Cat and Leo, Cat’s significant other. A complete stranger also asks for her assistance and, despite an overload of other commitments, she feels her conscience won’t let her refuse. No matter which thread of the plot, Isabel’s compassion, grace and devotion to her husband. come through.
Alexander McCall Smith is a go-to author for me and I loved the surreal zaniness of his Irregular Portuguese Verbs series which pokes fun at ivory tower intellectuals. The Dalhousie series deals with highly educated, cultured characters in a more realistic way and replaces humor with heart. I can’t wait for the next chapter In Isabel and Jamie’s Edinburgh life.
Thanks to publishers Pantheon/Knopf Doubleday and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.