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The Forgotten Affairs of Youth: An Isabel Dalhousie Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,767 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In this eighth installment in Alexander McCall Smith's captivating Isabel Dalhousie series, our irrepressible heroine tries to untangle complex questions about both the past and the present. Isabel's new friend Jane Cooper, a visiting Australian philosopher who was adopted as a small child, has come to Edinburgh searching for information about her biological father. Naturally, Isabel is more than happy to offer her services. At the same time, she must find time for her own concerns: her young son Charlie, who's leaving babyhood further behind each day; her housekeeper Grace, who has recently begun getting financial advice from her spiritualist; her niece Cat, who's in a new relationship, and the most pressing question of all: when and how Isabel and Jamie will finally get married. As she investigates the forgotten affairs of youth Isabel begins to wonder what those affairs lead to in the present, and in the process she discovers a whole new understanding of the meaning of family.
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"I fear this is the last in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Her life is settled, but I will miss her musings. I wish I had a friend like Isabel. I don't agree with everything she things by any means, but I love that she THINKS! One question to think about that this story brings up...is it okay to lie (or at least withhold very significant facts) if the unfactual knowledge contributes to someone's great happiness?"
— Patty (4 out of 5 stars)
The Forgotten Affairs of Youth Listener Reviews
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Kegen, 6/7/2020
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" Well written with plenty of thoughtful explorations of some of the choices, responsibilities, consequences, sorrows and joys of the human condition along the way. "
— Renny, 2/20/2014 -
" McCall Smith makes his heroine a philosopher so he can philosophize. Tedious is what I call this book. "
— Gizzard, 2/17/2014 -
" Thank Providence for such human writers as Alexander McCall Smith. What else can I say? I'm a fan. "
— J., 2/16/2014 -
" Alexander McCall Smith is always an enjoyable read. I especially like the Isabel Dalhousie series because of the way we get into her philosopher's brain--sometimes maddening, but fun. "
— Pat, 2/8/2014 -
" How does McCall Smith reveal the deep mysteries of human behavior so convincingly through Isabel's musings? Brilliant, as always. I'd love to meet him. "
— Kirsten, 2/6/2014 -
" I hope he never stops writing these books! "
— Laura, 2/5/2014 -
" Another enjoyable installment in the Isabel Dalhousie series! "
— Erica, 2/3/2014 -
" I have loved every one of McCall Smith's books. At first I was less enthusiastic about the Isabel Dalhousie series, but now I have come to understand why she contemplates absolutely everything. I love her diversions, and I love the way she loves Jamie and Charlie. "
— Bonnie, 1/9/2014 -
" This has been my favorite series of his, but, sadly, this installment fell flat. "
— Michale, 12/19/2013 -
" I love to join Isabel in her musings over philosophical questions. She questions the moral choice in even the most mundane of her activities. I also love stories that take place in Scotland. "
— Jina, 12/14/2013 -
" Another Isabel Dalhousie novel. Somehow I had missed this one! I love all her philosophical musings and the situations that she finds herself in are intriguing. An enjoyable, thought provoking read. "
— Gaylen, 12/8/2013 -
" I love Isabel Dalhousie but it has been a while since I have read A Sunday Philosophy Club novel and I found this book a little more drawn out than McCall Smith's earlier books in the series. I did enjoy the read but didn't find it as humorous and the pace was a little slow. "
— Ruth, 12/6/2013 -
" Always a quirky, light read, but the "mystery" didn't grab me as much this time, and Isabel's ramblings grated on me a bit this time. "
— Stephanie, 12/5/2013 -
" Loved it--just waiting for the next one. Because of the adoption issues in this one, I could get into the issues. "
— Doneen, 4/25/2013 -
" Isabel gets on my nerves a little bit but I still love the atmospherics of Edinburgh. "
— Priscilla, 4/18/2013 -
" I just love the way this flows along, although I'm sure having conversations with someone like Isobel would drive me mad! The usual twists and turns and moral dilemmas. "
— Jenna, 4/12/2013 -
" Essentially this is just soap opera with posh bits. Bit of a yawn and rather ridiculous. "
— Michele, 2/12/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this latest book in the series! "
— Ngdecker, 1/3/2013 -
" I usually love the Isabel Dalhousie books, but this one was a little dull. There was the usual philosophizing about life, but too much of it this time. The mystery plot in the story was intriguing but almost forgotten in the philosophical musings. "
— Mary, 7/21/2012 -
" I really like this series. It always makes me happy when I see a new one on the new book rack at the library. "
— Laura, 7/3/2012 -
" So pleasing, like eating ice cream - always sorry when a Isabel Dalhousie book ends. "
— Ruth, 6/19/2012 -
" This series never fails to please. This is a well written and gentle story a charming protagonist. I like the frequent philisophical questions raised and the descriptions of Edinburgh. A very soothing read. "
— Ann, 5/17/2012 -
" I love the titles of all of Alexander McCall Smith's books, and while most of the titles of this series only tangentially touch the story, this title really describes the case that Isabel looks into. "
— Duckpondwithoutducks, 5/16/2012 -
" As always, comfort reading at its best. "
— Elizabeth, 3/3/2012
About Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.
About Davina Porter
Davina Porter has been enthralling listeners for over twenty-five years with her ability to mine the psychological depths of the characters she reads and bring them convincingly to life. In 2006, she won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Female Narration and in 2004 for Best Inspirational Literature Narration. She has been honored as an AudioFile Golden Voice and has won nineteen AudioFile Earphones Awards. As an actress, she has appeared on stage at the Vineyard Playhouse and the Square One Theater, among others.