The Right Attitude to Rain

by Alexander McCall Smith

Hardcover, 2006

Call number

FIC SMI

Collection

Fiction

Genres

Series

Isabel Dalhousie (3)

Publication

Pantheon (2006), 288 pages

Description

When friends from Dallas arrive in Edinburgh and introduce Isabel to Tom Bruce, a bigwig at home in Texas, several confounding situations unfurl at once. Tom's young fiancée's roving eye leads Isabel to believe that money may be the root of her love for Tom. But what, Isabel wonders, is the root of the interest Tom begins to show for Isabel herself? And she can't forget about her niece, Cat, who's busy falling for a man whom Isabel suspects of being an incorrigible mama's boy. Of course Grace and Isabel's friend Jamie counsel Isabel to stay out of all of it, but there are irresistible philosophical issues at stake, when to tell the truth and when to keep one's mouth shut.

Subjects

User reviews

LibraryThing member Lman
This instalment of Isabel Dalhousie’s life and loves is an utter delight – revealing depths to Isabel’s feelings and character even more than the previous books. Instead of learning about our main protagonist from her thoughts and contemplations, and through her associations with others, we
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 are now offered a full, profound realisation of Isabel herself.

It is June in Edinburgh and, besides her editing of The Review of Applied Ethics, and the difficulties self-imposed with this, Isabel has her sunny days filled with procuring an apartment for Grace, her housekeeper; a month-long visit from her much-loved American cousin Mimi; and her burgeoning awareness, and acknowledgement, of her feelings for Jamie. And still with time to speculate, and meddle, in the affairs of an American couple staying for the summer in Edinburgh.

The Right Attitude to Rain thus offers a more fleshed-out story of former anecdotes, especially some only briefly alluded to in the past books. Isabel’s history, and her mother’s; her relationship with Grace, her responsibilities, her desires, her needs and her dreams are given more substance, along with a release from the anguish of her earlier hurt. And this release is possible as Isabel, along with everyone around her, recognises her developing intimacy with her younger man. The reactions and responses this elicits provide a great deal of laughs, much soul-searching from within, a large dose of jealousy from other women and at times, a degree of poignancy that bites deeply. For Isabel is in love; and her musings and her reflections, her attitudes and her actions – all these are forthwith coloured and, at times, controlled by this unexpected state of bliss.

Alexander McCall Smith, in my opinion, with the use of simple words and basic stories, offers an intimate, complex illustration of the possibilities of life which surrounds him everyday. With small anecdotes he delivers thought-provoking ideas, with the use of common examples he entertains complicated scenarios; and with gentle persuasion he allows intelligent, sympathetic, but perceptive, observations of humankind.

Did I mention utterly delightful? What about the twist at the end? That’s the only mystery in this book – where will he take Isabel with this? That I eagerly anticipate!
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LibraryThing member richardderus
Rating: 3 disappointed stars of five

The Book Report: Isabel Dalhousie, moral philosopher and newly reawakened lust-pot, entertains her American cousin and her husband in this third installment of the Sunday Philosophy Club series of novels. Much happens, all of it spoilery, but one big thing occurs
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 here: Isabel finally asks her younger musician friend and lust object, Jamie, to bed. He, unsurprisingly, says yes.

Isabel does this because almost everyone in her world spends the whole book saying, "So! Boinked Jamie yet? He's obviously hot for you, what'cha waitin' for?" or words to that effect. The Big Event At Last!

My Review: And what happens when love thwarted becomes love consummated? Remember Moonlighting? Before Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis Did The Deed, it was sparkling, witty, and fun; after, such a snooze it shoulda been available only by prescription.

Same ol' same ol' here. This book isn't *bad* but...there is something just too expected, or something just not suspenseful enough...it's just not fully engaging, like the first two are. But things will get better next time. I know they will.

They HAVE TO.
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LibraryThing member nmcbain
Alexander McCall Smith's novels are very gentle and full of lovely observations about human behaviour. This is the third book in the Sunday Philosophy Club series about Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher, amateur detective and Edinburgh resident. I'm always sorry when I finish these novels and this was
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 no exception, with a surprise ending that left me wondering where the story will go next. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member bibliophile26
His books are not extremely plot driven, but his writing style and character development make reading each book like having an delicious dessert.
LibraryThing member clogwog
Usually Alexander McCall Smith's novels are very gentle and full of lovely observations about human behaviour. However I thought this one was extremely slow and quite pointless. I thought Isabel Dalhousie has lost the plot. Where was the mystery?
LibraryThing member Clara53
Charming, as usual, a feel-good book, like all books of this author.
LibraryThing member angharad_reads
I've found the two books I've read about Isabel Dalhousie to be somewhat aloof in style. It's hard to tell sometimes when she is kidding, emotional, or whether she is just musing or endorsing her thoughts. This one included a bit more emotion, so I'm starting to care more about her. It also
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 included more from other characters' viewpoints, but disconcertingly styled so that I always had to doubletake to discern whether it was Isabel thinking about them, or the author sharing their thoughts. Third person narrative is not usually difficult that way.
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LibraryThing member mbmackay
Another Isabel Dalhousie novel. I know they're formulaic, but I still enjoy these books. Makes EWdinburgh look like an attractive place to live - at least for the few weeks that count as summer! Read April 2010.
LibraryThing member cindysprocket
I enjoyed this episode of Isabel Dalhosie's life. I do not understand why it should be called a mystery. Maybe the mystery of life ?
LibraryThing member isabelx
The main character is so irritating! It's okay for her to be independently wealthy with an income from her dead mother's family business, but woe betide anyone else who dares to show the slightest interest in money. Artists, musicians, academics and Bohemian delicatessen owners are okay, but
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 lawyers are beyond the pale, even though her own father was a lawyer.

But I'm still going to read the fourth book in the series when I get my hands on a copy.
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LibraryThing member MichaelDeavers
Isabel just Shines!

I have always enjoyed the Isabel Dalhousie's books and in my opinion The Right Attitude to Rain is a notch above the others. Even though Isabel was still analyzing family and friends, and coming to her own conclusions in the story was a departure from the other books. Isabel's
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 niece, Cat, has a different personality or a different side, maybe that's what I'm trying to say. Oh well, no need to expound on the plot and other parts of the story because it would only spoil it for you.
In summary, Mr. Smith has created a super story in which you will definitely care for the characters.
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LibraryThing member ini_ya
Very good. Loved the end.
LibraryThing member ethelmertz
Good, but a bit rushed.
LibraryThing member graysongirl
Davina Porter delivers a beautiful presentation of this charming story in the Isabel Dalhousie series.
LibraryThing member idiotgirl
Listened as an audiobook. I love this character, Isabel Dalhousie. Though I don't really believe in her. But I want to. We have friends in Scotland, and in Edinburgh, so I love the city. I enjoy Isabel's musings on moral issues, makes a person want to be more thoughtful. It's hard to imagine she's
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 in her early 40s and attractive. Didn't tune into that until almost through the second or third book. And it's hard for me to ascent to the love affair with Jamie. But I'd love it to be true. I'll read the next one for sure.
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LibraryThing member WeeziesBooks
“The Right Attitude to Rain” is a cozy mystery written by McCall Smith. I listened to this book which kept my attention as the reader did a good job with the characters. Isabel Dalhousis is a philosopher who has a very conservative view of herself and of the moral aspects of life's. In this
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 book she grapples with romantic relationships between individuals of different ages. She also grapples with the importance of the opinions of others related to the freedoms one might enjoy in one’s own life. She both interferes and has strong ideas about others choices in life, but all of her actions are well meaning and kindly. I found this to be a bit boring and a very predictable story line. The ending was a bit abrupt for the time spent developing the story. Not one of my favorite books.
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LibraryThing member Vivl
Very enjoyable. This is the only Alexander McCall Smith series I've read and the start wasn't auspicious, mostly because when I picked up the first book I expected a traditional mystery story and didn't get one. I wasn't planning on reading further, especially as I also found Isabel Dalhousie's
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 moralising to be rather tiresome, but by some quirk of fate ended up having a go at the second book, Friends, Lovers, Chocolate and falling for the series.

This is more of the same, but with some very welcome changes in attitude, which I won't go into as I feel as though they would be too spoiler-ish. As usual, some mysterious-ish stuff is going on, but it isn't really the focus and isn't really "solved". This no longer worries me at all, as I enjoy the slow-paced wander through Edinburgh and philosophy.
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LibraryThing member marygrzybinski
Thought the ending was a little flat.......Didnt build enough on Jaime's character to make you either like him or hate him. Also did like the interaction between Cat and Isabel. That should of been resolved a bit more. Ok read but felt a little unfinished.
LibraryThing member flydodofly
This is the second McCall Smith I picked up in the library. I seem to love his titles, but I am, again, a little disappointed. As a matter of fact, I though I picked up the same book again and needed to check. It was not the same one, but still it is more or less - the same. I suppose this is good
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 news for fans of his work, but I will be really careful from now on, not to get fooled by another clever title.
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LibraryThing member MissJessie
What I learned from this book:
1. May-Dec. relationships can work in the reverse of the usual way.
2. May-Dec. relationships of the standard variety can be troublesome.
3. The Scot's view of Americans is not always flattering.
4. Birth control is always a good idea.

I enjoy AMS's writing very much and
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 this series is entertaining. I do find Isabel to be quite wordy at times and AMS never says in 5 words what 15 will say equally as well. Additionally, her constant apologizing gets on my nerves after awhile; someone in her 40's should be able to deal with a rude niece firmly instead of groveling around.

I do like this series very much and would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice, easy read without any tension or mystery.
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LibraryThing member Shuffy2
Love- Can it exist between an older man and a younger woman? Can it exist between a younger man and an older woman? Is money an influence?

Isabel’s cousin, Mimi arrives in Edinburgh from Dallas to visit and introduces her to her friend Tom Bruce. Tom’s young fiancé seems more interested in
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 Isabel’s young friend Jamie than in Tom himself. Is it Tom’s money the only thing keeping her in the relationship? Isabel sets out to find out much to her friend Jamie’s advice--he thinks she should 'butt out’…..

The Right Attitude to Rain, the 3rd book in the Isabel Dalhousie series, is another quiet yet remarkable book. It is not a book of espionage or passionate romance but it does have some ‘philosophical issues’, a bit of sleuthing… and a little bit of romance thrown in for good measure. And it takes place in Edinburgh—one of my favorite places!
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LibraryThing member bergs47
Chick lit by a male? If you think it's not possible, read this book.
LibraryThing member alanteder
The Isabel Dalhousie series started off in cozy mystery territory with the first book [book:The Sunday Philosophy Club|15904] which did have a mysterious death to be solved. The second book [book:Friends, Lovers, Chocolate|97884] made the mysteries more domestic and this third book is solidly in
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 romance fiction territory which is normally not my genre. Smith's characters though are great company with the very personable Isabel Dalhousie, her spiritualist housekeeper Grace, her friend/possible bff Jamie, her niece Cat and her deli/cofe workers Eddie & Miranda. Each book is filled with Isabel's observations on life and often has interesting trivia and history about Edinburgh, Scotland or all sorts of topics. So I'm kind of intrigued to see how the rest of the series continues. Plus with #FictionalCharactersThatLoveArvoPärt how can you go wrong ;) ?
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LibraryThing member BookConcierge
In this third installment of the series featuring the Edinburgh philosopher, Isabel Dalhousie’s cousin Mimi arrives with her husband, Joe, from Dallas for a visit. Mimi introduces Isabel to Tom Bruce, a wealthy Texas who has recently become engaged to Angie. But Angie seems much more interested
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 in Isabel’s friend Jamie, who used to date Isabel’s niece, Cat. Meanwhile, Cat seems to be falling for a totally unsuitable young man.

What I really like about this series are Isabel’s philosophical musings, and this one is no exception. The central ethical dilemma seems to be when to keep one’s mouth shut vs when to tell all one knows. Is it interfering to let someone know what you’ve observed? Is it appropriate to voice one’s feelings for someone who is clearly attached to another?

I like the developing relationships in the series, which are slowly forming, as they do in real life, with occasional missteps, tiffs, and make-ups.

Hilary Neville does a fine job performing the audiobook. She has good pacing and I love the way she voices Isabel. However, I didn’t realize I had received an abridged audio until the second disc, and I then abandoned the audio to read the text.
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LibraryThing member raizel
Apparently this is the third book in the Isabel Dalhousie series. Isabel is a philosopher who edits a journal of applied ethics and is independently well-off. Nothing much seems to happen for most of the book, but Isabel's internal dialog is interesting enough that I didn't mind, until what should
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 have felt like a significant event didn't feel that way. There are different couples or potential couples in different stages of relationships and Isabel spends a lot of time and thought about them and her responsibility or lack thereof to help them.

Isabel promised her father that she would look after Grace, who had worked for him and is now Isabel's housekeeper. Unlike the Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility, who decide that helping his father's second family is satisfied by a small lump sum payment, Isabel feels compelled to buy an apartment for Grace. This leads to ethical problems for Isabel when the current owner decides to lower the price because she thinks that Isabel and her friend Jamie are a couple. Personally, I was also concerned that Grace would be presented with an apartment that she didn't want.

The library that provided the book put a "Mystery" sticker on the cover. I suppose the previous books may have been mysteries. The only possible mystery is a fire that occurs elsewhere at the end of the story and we never definitely find out whodunit. (I have my suspicions.)

I enjoyed reading a story with an intelligent, considerate woman who overthinks things.
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Pages

288

ISBN

9780375423000

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