The Lost Art of Gratitude Audiobook, by Alexander McCall Smith Play Audiobook Sample

The Lost Art of Gratitude Audiobook

The Lost Art of Gratitude Audiobook, by Alexander McCall Smith Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Davina Porter Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Isabel Dalhousie Series Release Date: September 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781440759901

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

38:41 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

14 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

25:58 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

101

Other Audiobooks Written by Alexander McCall Smith: > View All...

Publisher Description

New York Times best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith crafts the sixth entertaining novel starring the ever ethical Isabel Dalhousie. The sensational sixth installment in the best-selling chronicles of the irrepressibly curious Isabel Dalhousie finds our inquisitive heroine and new mother racing two very troublesome people from her past. Isabel's son, Charlie, is only eighteen months, but his social life is already kicking into high gear, and it's at a birthday party, where Isabel is approached by Minty Auchterlonie, an old adversary and now a high-flying financier. Minty, it seems, is having trouble in her personal life, and seeks Isabel's help. To make matters worse, the anything but peaceable Professor Dove has accused Isabel's journal of plagiarism. There is also the ever-pressing question of the future of her relationship with Jamie. As always, she makes her way toward the heart of each problem by philosophizing, sleuthing, and downright snooping as only she can

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"The most thought-provoking portion of this book is the idea of someone being "wicked". It made me wonder if we ever really believe in the wickedness of those we bump up against, or are we careful and perhaps too charitable as Susie is when she is searching for the word that Peter quickly supplies for her --"Wicked", he says. When someone is completely self-centered and has no compassion or even interest in anyone else (except as a being that can be used for their own ends), what are they but wicked? They may change and become better as life goes on, but for right now, today, they are indeed wicked."

— Karlyne (5 out of 5 stars)

The Lost Art of Gratitude Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5625 out of 53.5625 out of 53.5625 out of 53.5625 out of 53.5625 out of 5 (3.56)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 12
3 Stars: 14
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Another in the Isabel Dalhousie series. I listened to this on audio CD as I enjoy the reader's voice. I enjoy this series very much. Gets a little wordy at times but that is the charm of the heroine, Isabel, who is a philosopher. "

    — Marie, 2/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " For anyone who has read any of the Sunday Philosophy Club series, this novel will come as no surprise. Isabel is as determined and quirky as ever-- and as lovable. As in all of the other stories in this series, Scotland's Edinburg wins as the main character. A must read if you enjoy McCall-Smith's view of our world and the worlds that preceded ours. "

    — Craig, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Having read the previous books in this series, I found this book to be somewhat less enjoyable than prior books in the series. I still enjoyed the visit but found the story-line with Minty and the non-resolution of ***spoiler*** lying, forgery, threats etc. to be less than satisfactory. Isabel's philosophy may allow her to feel that she has done/said the right thing, but that was essentially nothing. You know that Edmund Burke saying "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."? Well, that is how I feel about the resolution of the story. But I am glad Isabel and Jamie have inched into an engagement. "

    — Nancy, 1/23/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was the best in this series! I am liking Isabelle and Jamie as a couple more and more. "

    — Lauren, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Just picked up this one at the library, to continue the story of Isabel. I love her cozy little Scottish world, and the weather is perfect now to read about it! "

    — Holly, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " just starting this today. "

    — Mary:, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Usual McCall Smith almost stream of consciousness concerning matters moral and philosophical. Sometimes I do get a bit frustrated with how moral and forgiving Isabel is, but she is always thought-provoking! "

    — Jean, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " more philosophising by AMS through Isabel "

    — Mila, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved it! This series (the Sunday Philosophy Club) wasn't my favorite of his at first, but it is quickly gaining rank. I adore Isabel Dalhousie and her philosophical meditations on human nature and on words. "

    — Emily, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " pretty much love all of McCall Smith's books "

    — Elisan, 11/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The latest Isabel Dalhousie story which are all a bit quirky, like Isabel the philosopher. Want to strengthen your vocabulary skills? Have your dictionary at hand because you will be looking up new words. Most enjoyable is the feeling that you have made a short trip to Edinburgh. "

    — Lizpeveto, 8/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This book is another in the series that is good only because of the fun thought processes of this philosopher, main character, Isabel. Nice writing, but not much of a plot. "

    — Chris, 8/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Another enjoyable installment in the series. "

    — Bette, 8/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I've really enjoyed some of Alexander McCall Smith's works, but then I'll find one like this that just doesn't do anything for me. Very bland little story with no real drama. I couldn't categorize it as a mystery, although the library did. It was more "a day in the life of..." "

    — Karen, 7/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Amusing and quick read, I love the character of Isabelle Dalhousie, but nothing really happens - the definition of anticlimactic, really; but I guess that's to be expected from a book about a philosopher. "

    — Annie, 4/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I like this series more and more with each passing book. I love Isabel's mental peregrinations and her relationship with Jamie and Charlie. The rest of the story is just a sidecar to those things. "

    — Leslie, 3/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " So enjoyable. "

    — Annette, 12/30/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " #6 in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Alexander McCall Smith has a wonderful sense of what it is to be human. Picking up one of his books is always like indulging in some comfort food. "

    — Annalise, 12/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Sloooooooooooooooooooooow "

    — Dave, 11/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I enjoy Isabel's gentle intelligence in both her stream of consciousness and her humor. Listening to this audiobook was a delight, and with so many insights coming so quickly I want to listen again to have time to ponder and savor. This is my favorite volume in the series. "

    — Rebecca, 3/29/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Even though I don't agree with her philosophical view on religion, I enjoy immersing myself in Isabel Dalhausie's simple yet complex world. "

    — Charlotte, 2/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Entertaining, but not really a great book...) "

    — Bonnie, 1/21/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A pleasant read, but not really a mystery.... "

    — Beata, 12/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Isabel Dalhousie can get more than a little ponderous at times. And repitious. Did I mention ponderous? Or repetitious? "

    — Sharon, 10/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " As charming as always. Isabel Dalhousie is so funny and entertaining! Love these books. "

    — Genevieve, 6/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It's just so hard to resist the siren call of this literary comfort food on a Friday-after-work trip to the library after a long week. Fortunately Alexander McCall Smith is so prolific that there's usually a new one for me. "

    — Rachel, 6/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Thoroughly enjoyed this book - I have to say that the Sunday Philosophy Club books get better with every new story! This is the best so far!!! "

    — Alison, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " If you like Alexander McCall Smith's Scotland books, you'll like this "

    — Dodi, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This is the best of the Isabel Dalhousie series so far. "

    — Donna, 4/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I don't know why I read books written by Alexander McCall Smith because I don't really enjoy them. This was kind of a nothing book with a nothing story and I don't think I will be rushing to read another one of his books any time soon. "

    — Nicole, 3/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Isabel deals with the subject of gratitude and that nasty Minty Auchterlonie rears her ugly head again. Isabel gets caught up in someone else's drama, as usual, only this time it's been deliberately arranged. "

    — Heather, 3/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked this more than the last one as Isabel was less wimpy in it. Gentle, interesting, just the right balance of plot and philosophy. "

    — Bachyboy, 3/12/2011

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, 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.