The Forgotten Affairs of Youth Audiobook By Alexander McCall Smith cover art

The Forgotten Affairs of Youth

An Isabel Dalhousie Novel

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The Forgotten Affairs of Youth

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Davina Porter
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In the eighth installment of Alexander McCall Smith’s best-selling Isabel Dalhousie series, the inquisitive heroine helps a new friend discover the identity of her father. Jane, a visiting Australian philosopher on sabbatical in Edinburgh, has more questions than answers. Adopted at the age of six, she knows little about her father, other than he was a student in Edinburgh years ago. Always up for a challenge, Isabel is more than happy to help.

©2011 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC Detective Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Mystery Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Women's Fiction

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This is another wonderful story about Isabel, Jamie and Charlie.
Once again a charming visit with Isabel and the people she tries to help.

Isabel never lets me down

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Would you listen to The Forgotten Affairs of Youth again? Why?

Listening to one of the Isabel Dalhousie books is a great way to step away from stress when life becomes too rushed. Yes the book contains a large number of passages where Isabel contemplates "right vs. wrong", but I believe that is part of what makes this series of books enjoyable. Most of the time life does not give us time to think about these issues ourselves and these passages are uplifting, not judgmental. The only person Isabel "judges" on these issues is herself. It is refreshing to hear discussions of right vs. wrong from an author that is presented in a light context without preaching.

If you’ve listened to books by Alexander McCall Smith before, how does this one compare?

This is probably one of my favorites so far, but I have listened to only a few.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

Loved her accent and expression. Her voice makes me want to visit Scotland again.

Peaceful

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Isabel’s inner musings and tangents as well as her hang-ups and naivety are on full display in this book. She’s human, makes mistakes and second guesses herself which is part of the fun. However, this was the first book where I felt at times she was just being a pill.

Fuller picture the inside of Isabel’s head

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Just can't beat an Alexander McCall Smith listen, and Isabel Dalhousie is still up to her usual interesting life observations.

Forgotten Affairs of Youth

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I can never decide which characters I like best in the McCall Smith universe. Is it Precious Ramostwe in Botswana and her #1 Ladies' Detective Agency? Or is it Isabel Dalhousie, detective of a different sort, investigator of the mind and all things philosophical? Or is it Bertie and his well-meaning but dysfunctional parents who are part of the cohort at 44 Scotland Street?

In any case, I love the way this man writes. Slower-paced, reflective and ruminating, but never so indulgent that the reader is driven nuts with impatience. His books are like listening to familiar music - you can savor the slow parts because you know what's coming. And he does it all with an economy of words.

I think this latest is one of McCall Smith's best. It has all the suspense of a true "search for identity" case, mixed with all the usual ambiguities, odd juxtapositions, and perils of the "examined life" that go along with Isabel Dalhousie's life and work as editor and publisher of a philosophical journal. McCall Smith seems to strike just that perfect combination of outward narrative and inner landscape that makes his characters so relatable.

I don't know quite where I'll turn for this sort of literary fun if or when Smith ever retires from cranking out these stories. I know that day is inevitable, but I hope it's not coming any time soon.

Smitten by Smith once again!

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What did you love best about The Forgotten Affairs of Youth?

Isabel Dalhousie's train(s) of thought take us to such fascinating places and amazingly bring together many different experiences into one theme. The smallest incident can take her off in many wild directions; but by the end they have all been tied together and we suddently realize that we have seen the world in a different way.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously, Isabel. Being inside her head is an enlightening trip. But is also hard not to choose Jamie. He knows when to follow along with Isabel's diversions and when to let her go her own way. And he is a great Dad.

Which character ??? as performed by Davina Porter ??? was your favorite?

I have never read a hard copy of an Isabel Dalhousie book. Isabel would not be the same experience without the voice, accent, and expressions of Davina Porter.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Have we learned from them [the forgotten affairs or youth], or let them haunt our lives?

Never read Isabel Dalhousie without Davina Porter

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I really love these books! If you enjoyed the others, you’ll like this one too.

Slow moving and touching

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Isabel Dalhousie is an amazing, thoughtful woman, whose philosophic conversations stay in one's mind. i enjoy all the characters .

Love this series

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Would you listen to The Forgotten Affairs of Youth again? Why?

If and when I review the entire series.

What about Davina Porter’s performance did you like?

She has become the characters for me.

Any additional comments?

I first fell in love with the #1 Ladies Detective Agency and then moved on from there. Alexander McCall Smith is endearing, but your readers are who keep me coming back.

I'm a big fan of Alexander & Isabel.

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