The Winds from Further West

De: Alexander McCall Smith

Narrado por: James Rottger

'A call to arms for a better society'—BBC Radio 4

Often a small and seemingly insignificant event can change the course of our lives.

Not long after starting a new job, Neil meets Chrissie. Romance soon blossoms and together they move to a lavish flat in Edinburgh. Everything seems to be falling into place perfectly.

But an innocuous, throw-away comment unintentionally causes Neil’s career to collapse, and, at the same time, a cruel betrayal shatters the life he thought he knew.

His only option is to escape to the secluded, remote beauty of a breathtaking Hebridean island. Here, he finds a different way of life, and new friendships develop. But he can’t escape the past forever, and soon he must confront a life-changing decision once more.

From the world's favourite author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, this novel is about chance encounters; it is richly atmospheric and packed with compassion and humour.

©2025 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2025 Recorded Books

Very somber. Disappointed.

I couldn’t even get halfway because I was so thoroughly depressed by all the gloominess and the monotone narrator. There was no humor or lightness as in The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street. There’s enough strife in life. I listen to audiobooks to be happy.

Kind and philosophical.

I enjoyed that the story took me away to Scotland. I enjoyed this book although I thought it moved along rather slowly and I thought the main character too timid. He should have stood up for himself and for the sake of others who would be affected lack of action. But I guess that’s philosophical.

One of His Best

I’ve read all of McCall Smith’s adult novels, and this may be my favorite, despite a lack of his usual gentle humor. There is a warmth to his fluid prose, an acknowledgement of life’s inequities, and an understanding of motivation that make for a thoughtful tale of betrayal with silver linings. The characters are believable and the dialogue natural and seemingly inevitable. I listened to the audiobook edition, then bought the hardback to reread it.

Subtle Entertainment, Finding A True Road

This book sped by in one sitting. The academic setting and human problems were presented in all too real tangles of truth vs ambition, lovers who are strangers to each others' souls, and finding a true path leading to a longed for but unknown place and person. Mysterious in its own way, and it leaves one thinking about the importance of honesty and patience when life seems whirling out of control.

Wonderful characters.

Great pacing and very timely commentary.
There is a weird typo in the book though where the character of Stuart is accidentally referred to as James twice. I think in chapter ten. Not sure if it’s the narrator’s mistake or if it’s in the text.

Wonderful Story

A wonderful critique of our faltering culture and a gentle story of the forces of good that will redeem it.

Refreshingly thought provoking

A story about honor, love, understanding…very timely for our world as it is today. Excellent.

Too much philosophical discussion.

I loved the characters but needed more from them. Will there be a Book 2?

An Unexpected Gem

Anything by Alexander McCall Smith is absolutely brilliant - he has always been a favourite author of mine. It’s almost as if the Universe said “NOW is the time you must read this book”, because it resonated with me in ways I was not expecting. This story, so brilliantly written and narrated, is being recommended to everyone I know!

Excellent Diagnosis of Society’s Ills

Another winner by Alexander McCall Smith. His stories reveal a deep understanding of human nature and society. In this latest novel, his description of tyrannical politics and political correctness in academia will be uncomfortably familiar to anyone who’s ever worked in that setting - a milieu where not giving offense to self-identified victims usually trumps the truth. McCall Smith can develop the “intellectual bitch” character like no one else. (This must surely come from personal experience!) Unfortunately he pits these witches against wimpy Beta males - not very satisfying for the reader but probably true to life. Manly men wouldn’t put up with them for a minute.