Perhaps this book suffered from being read close after the latest in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, which I enjoyed soooo much more. This seemed to be a weak addition to the Dalhousie series; certainly none of the characters was made more attractive in it. The beautiful Jamie sounded like a weepy wimp and Isabel was making a lot of overly quick & incorrect judgements. 2-1/2 stars ( )

If you love Edinburgh you will love this book. ( )

25 "She thought of the studies of conversions that showed how people turned to a new faith or a new ideology to get rid of the burden of the past. They became new people, they thought, and could forget about what they had done before. She was not sure whether that was self-forgiveness or self-invention; they were different things, really, and she could not help but feel that self-invention was an easy way out. Not me, it said, a different person did that. Which could be quite true. We did become different people as we grew; the child is not the same person as the man." -- ask: What were you like as a little boy?
38 "People with matrimonial difficulties usually wanted allies, not advisors."
156 "...may I become like you - which unrealistic wish, to become the other, is such a true and revealing symptom of love, it's most obvious clue, it's unmistakable calling card."
166 "We clung to the straws of identity; these, at least, made us feel a little more permanent."

3.99 stars. A lovely use of my leisure time. I enjoy spending time in Isabel's head. And I am sure I would enjoy visiting Scotland. But as described here, lordy, these Scots are a tongue-tied bunch. Makes me realize I am happy to be an oversharing American. Once I laughed out loud which is not an experience I expect to have while reading these books. Unfortunately I can't remember what prompted the laughter. ( )

This novel is, as most of McCall-Smith's books are, about morality, love, kindness, modesty, communication, intent, respect and gratitude. The Charming Quirks of Others once again features Isabel being asked to 'help' someone with what I have named 'social investigations'. Isabel is intelligent, kind, contemplative and a very curious, open-minded philosopher and agrees to help, if not enthusiastically, with a feeling of responsibility. Personally I think she sees these cases as a necessary avocation, providing her stimulus, as well as a distraction from the often tedious work as owner and editor of The Review of Applied Ethics. She takes both responsibilties seriously.

Her social investigations lead to her meet with people to ask questions. She is successful at this because she is an intuitve listener, and knows the right questions to ask. But, and this is McCall-Smith's key point, she is human, and like all of us, makes assumptions and mistakes but... recognizing the truth, she, incredibly aware of what she must do or not do, quickly corrects and makes amends for any errors. We, the readers, can learn much from each of her investigations and each of McCall-Smith's books. About human strengths in making difficult choices, caring about others which build us up. And human weaknesses like infidelity, greed, lying and bullying which harm us all.

Isabel Dalhousie is the means with which McCall Smith illustrates how the subject of philosophy, which most of us consider ancient and of little importance, has actual and meaningfull applications in the real world. Using bits of history, nature, art and poetry, and music add balance to each book to make us see just some of the depth of the world's beauty.

Please do read these uniquely special books.