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The Novel Habits of Happiness  By  cover art

The Novel Habits of Happiness

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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Publisher's summary

The ever-delightful, insatiably curious Edinburgh philosopher and amateur sleuth returns to take on a case unlike any she's had before - this one with paranormal implications - in the tenth installment of this beloved author's consistently best-selling series. From a small town outside Edinburgh comes the news that a young boy has been recounting vivid recollections of a past life: a perfect description of an island off the coast of Scotland that he couldn't possibly know and a house there where he claims to have spent his former life. When the boy's mother asks Isabel to investigate his claims, she feels she must - of course! - help them learn the truth, and she and her husband, Jamie, set off for the island. But finding the house the boy described only leads to more complicated questions. And when she learns about the unusual story of the family who lived there, Isabel is suddenly faced with a situation of extraordinary delicacy that will require all of her skills as both sleuth and philosopher.

©2015 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2015 Recorded Books

What listeners say about The Novel Habits of Happiness

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Delightful

Oh boy, a new Isabel Dalhousie book from Alexander McCall Smith. I know that Isabel is an acquired taste but I am hooked on this series. Isabel is the ultimate philosophizer, for whom all the world is one moral conundrum after another. In this book she finds herself investigating the odd case of a small boy who insists he recalls his reincarnation and the possibility of his returning to another life.

Also in this book we get to visit the regular characters such as Isabel, Jamie and Charlie as well as Isabel’s niece Cat; we visit, while Isabel wanders through her average day. Smith allows Isabel to indulge her philosophizing while taking us on a delightful journey into her life. Smith creates such interesting and unusual characters and tells important subject in such a delight, entertaining and humorous way. One of my favorite narrators, Davina Porter, narrates the book.

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10 people found this helpful

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Great book, great performance

Another great book in the Isabel Dalhousie series touching on interesting subjects. Fun to listen to thanks to a wonderful performance by the reader.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

OK if you're already a fan

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes if the friend already likes the series, but would certainly not start someone on this one

Would you be willing to try another book from Alexander McCall Smith? Why or why not?

I read all his series

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it gets tedious. You have to be in the mood

Any additional comments?

The philosophical meanderings and sidetrackings are part of the charm of AMS's books, but I think he's starting to get a bit carried away... the ratio of musings to plot line is going up all the time and is nearing the breaking point (for me). I like the characters but don't need to follow them down every single mental side street...

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4 people found this helpful

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a literary cup of tea

a wonderful visit again with Isabel, Jamie, Charlie, Kat and Grace, pondering the possibility of reincarnation and making hard choices.

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2 people found this helpful

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Listen Slowly

It takes AMcS quite a while to keep the most interesting part of the story moving and attended to. He digresses overmuch and can tend to lapse into too sweet a tooth, but in the end there is much to be learned here and savored.

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2 people found this helpful

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Takes awhile

I was impatient during the beginning of this book but it has a huge payoff. The plot becomes ever thicker and the moral implications are rich and ponderous.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic Isabel. A nice book.

Interesting but not taxing, this book advances the lives of Isabel and Jamie and opens up many new avenues for future books. I think it is the most balanced of the books, combining ethics, professional and personal pursuits.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Had higher hopes.

Not sure what the point was as it seemed a lot was left up in the air. A bit unsatisfying. And narrator sounds way old...not quite my fave.

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Sappy and Disappointing -- Even Read By Davina

What happened to the truth left untold? I could not believe my ears at the silly all-is-well ending pasted onto what had been a most interesting story. A lot of people believe that ninety percent of the world's population (including me) are in their last life; we planned the pandemic, global warming and all the challenges we have faced, especially in the last few years. And the other ten percent are here to make trouble. When I visited Ephesus many years ago, I walked straight to the amphitheatre; I was a man about to make a speech! And I was one bad dude who misused power pretty badly. In the most recent past life, I was the oldest sister in a wonderfully loving Chinese family. Then in the midst of political upheaval, I became a prostitute so they could eat. A few years ago I walked into church, and a newly-arrived priest was reading the Gospel. I hurried to find a pew, but a voice in my head was exclaiming, "Oh, it's HIM! It's him!" and I felt great love. No, I have never fallen for an unavailable man! It took me months to work out what this was about. I believe this man was my baby brother come back. The family had a lot of girls and finally a little boy. Then I remembered the psychic had said, "Three of the sisters are back in this life!" It seemed to me that I had to warn the young priest that if someone came into his life and he felt that overwhelming recognition and love, "It's sibling love, family love -- not lust." So I drove 100 miles each way to meet with the padre. He very properly did not want to hear because of course Catholics do not officially accept reincarnation, but for me, I could not ignore my experience in Ephesus or meeting that adored little brother. So I followed through -- I had to -- in a situation somewhat similar to events in the book. . . . It could have been so satisfying!
P.S. Two Audible works I have enjoyed which portray real life wonderfully loving families: "Mao's Last Dancer" and the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

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  • Overall
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Happiness, Do We Make Our Own?

This book was a joy to read. It conjures up images and thoughts of real love. We can make our own happiness but real joy is in our spirit.

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