The Conditions of Unconditional Love

Isabel Dalhousie #15

by Alexander McCall Smith

In this latest installment of the beloved Isabel Dalhousie series, Isabel finds herself navigating tricky problems both public and personal

“McCall Smith’s assessments of fellow humans are piercing and profound . . . [His] depictions of Edinburgh are vivid and seamless.” — San Francisco Chronicle

Isabel Dalhousie, everyone's favorite moral philosopher, is once again called on to help navigate a decidedly delicate dispute with all of the insight and compassion she has become known for. What makes Isabel's investigations so unique is her uncanny ability to view all sides of a situation with coolness and reserve — and she will tap deep into her stores of both in order to help see this one through. Meanwhile, Isabel and her husband Jamie will together be dealing with tricky personal issues of their own. Philosophical observations and humorous asides abound in this fifteenth installment of the beloved series.

Genres: Fiction, Scotland, Mystery, Contemporary, Audiobook, Philosophy, Romance

256 pages, Hardcover

Published July 16, 2024

About the author

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful visit with Isabel and Jamie. I really look forward to every book in this series as it is published.

In this outing Isabel is overwhelmed with a succession of moral dilemmas involving an unwanted lodger, an unruly bookclub, some illegal balancing of accounts, and an unjustifiably angry and totally unreliable Cat. How she restrains herself when dealing with Cat I just do not know.

Towards the end of the book, with only a few pages left, there were still so many issues needing to be finalised I could not believe the author was going to do it. Surely he was not going to leave us with a cliff hanger. Isabel Dalhousie does not do cliff hangers! Then, just like Isabel, he worked calmly, quietly and thoroughly to a perfect conclusion. The kind where you close the book with a smile of satisfaction and a gentle pat on the cover.

I loved it. Five stars.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You had to be careful: smugness lay just below the surface of satisfaction, ready to lure one into its embrace. It was very pleasant being smug, there being no need to concern oneself with improvement when one is perfect as one is.”

The Conditions Of Unconditional Love is the fifteenth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series by British author, Alexander McCall Smith which takes the reader back into the life of our favourite Edinburgh philosopher.

When Isabel’s husband, Jamie mentions the plight of a woman who made a poor choice, Isabel feels a duty through moral proximity to help. Jamie knows he wouldn’t want to change her, but does wish he could moderate her sense of obligation. They offer Dawn, a nurse on the infectious diseases ward at the Western General Hospital, their attic room, but have they done the right thing? Housekeeper Grace has some reservations, and after a short while, even Jamie seems to be having doubts.

Isabel is dismayed by Professor Robert Lettuce’s academic snobbery and condescension regards a certain benefactor, but is even more disturbed by his outrageous allocation of the funds promised by a supporting trust for his proposed conference. Will her diplomatic missive taking him to task for this have any effect? When she decides to approach from another angle, she stumbles on corruption…

Cat’s new boyfriend proclaims his deep love for her to Isabel, and she worries that her inconstant niece may break his heart. But the situation changes radically before Isabel can go past considering what she might do, and things take an unexpectedly bad turn.

As she and Jamie are leaving a concert, Isabel is asked to join a book club by a neighbour who has heard she helps sort things out. Jamie, with a note of reproach in his voice, asks “Isabel? Have you just said yes to something?” She wonders what, if anything, she could possibly do about the level of dislike that is evident between members, but then a lightbulb moment provides a novel solution.

As might be expected in the home of a philosopher, there’s often a bit of breakfast table philosophy. She and Jamie discuss the ethics of doing the right thing for the wrong reason, and Isabel remarks “Going through life is much easier if you aren’t a philosopher. There must be far fewer problems in the unexamined life.”

During her workday, Isabel pulls herself up when tempted to indulge in mockery, remembering that this is usually a cruel act. With Jamie and other acquaintances, tera nullius, land rights, compromise and discrimination all get an airing, and Isabel notes that the charitable attitude would be to focus on the prospective contribution of newcomers.

Musing on alpha males, she wonders if there are also beta males, or perhaps omega males. In dealing with Robert Lettuce in person, she wishes for a hatpin. Reflecting cosmetic dentistry, she is unconvinced that perfection does anything to enhance character. She admires those whose personal motto is Stop and Think, there generally being too little stopping, and too little thinking.

As always, McCall Smith includes plenty of gentle philosophy and an abundance of wisdom, and Isabel’s reflections often bring a smile to the face. Another delightfully entertaining dose of Alexander McCall Smith.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I love when I am reunited with Isabel Dalhousie, moral philosopher, wife, mother and doer of good deeds! Does Isabel tend to overthink things? Yes. Does she make so many situations better? Also, yes. Faced with a temporary guest, a bickering book club, and what appears to be an attempted fraud, Isabel soothed my soul as I live through some difficult times.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book straight from the librarian's hands before she had a chance to place it on the "NEW ARRIVALS" shelf. I am a reluctant Alexander McCall Smith reader. I have a love affair with his series and characters. However, I have a seething, frustrating relationship with him, the author. I have thrown my hands up numerous times over the years and sworn never again! But, each new book draws me back into the lives of my friends and the dilemma of the day.

Isabel. Isabel. Isabel. You just can't help yourself. Under the cloak of "philosopher," you meddle and go out of your way to involve yourself in the lives of others. Justifying everything you do for " their own good." You know best. Gosh, I adore Jamie!

Cat & Gordon, Lettuce & Dove, houseguest Dawn, and book group leader Roz. These cast of characters continue to provide their own personal problems that find their way into Isabel's harmonious world. That's not to say that "Ms. Fixit" doesn't go looking for discord, chaos, issues, problems-to-be-solved. Isabel is a heat seeking missile. It really doesn't matter how many times husband Jamie says 'not to get involved'. Just say NO. Mind your I own business. It's not happening. She can't help herself.

Favorites Brother Fox, housekeeper Grace, children Charlie & Mangus, deli manager Eddie... all round out the supporting roles in Isabel's life. Including Auden's poetry and Alexander McCall Smith's flowery and extensive command of the English language as he writes often above his readers.

There are only 244 pages, but just before you close the covers, Isabel has it ALL under control. Read the definition of "agape".

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Conditions of Unconditional Love” is book fifteen in the Isabel Dalhousie Series by Alexander McCall Smith. Isabel is a philosopher so the book has lots of musings about odd situations. I have found that readers either love or hate Smith. I happen to love several of his series including this one. He makes one stop and think about odd but important things.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eight hours and twenty-nine minutes. Sally Masterson does a good job narrating the book.

[Shereadbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 15th in the Isabel Dalhousie novels by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. Married to a musician and having two children, Isabel, a philosopher, is the editor of a publication in her field. Like so many women, Isabel feels the pressure of being overextended with house, husband, children, job, and offering help to others. This time, the Dalhousie’s have invited someone needing a place to stay to use one of their spare rooms. Noises coming from her room and her propensity to hide away and lock her room raise a lot of questions. Isabel is approached by a colleague she doesn’t like very much to participate in a scheme whose finances seem a bit shady. A book club moderator approaches her to help solve problems the club is having and her niece, Cat, once again is having romantic and delicatessen problems.

Visiting with Isabel is always so very pleasant and soothing. McCall Smith creates such wonderful characters and the story is full of poignant observations and enjoyable humor. These novels are not action packed, but they impart wisdom of a philosophical and practical nature.

Fans of this series will enjoy this latest installment. For readers who are new to these books, it is not necessary to have read the prior ones to appreciate this one.

BTW - the cover has sheep on it. Except for one reference to sheep, there are no sheep in the novel. It takes place in Edinburgh.

Thanks to #NetGalley and @ssKnopf for the DRC.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so enamoured of this book, maybe even the series going forward. As another reviewer wrote ‘I find the fictional Isabel "thinks too much" and is constantly analysing and weighing every moment, situation, and thought all the while trying to keep a high moral ground’. Yes, it feels like this to me too. The tangents she goes off on. And how she’s always rhapsodising about Jamie: ‘I loved him for his potato dauphinois etc.’
The ending tied things up too neatly and quickly too.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating almost a 5 . . . Isabel Dalhousie is my favorite of the Alexander McCall Smith series and this one of the best in the series. After serious fiction and nf, it is nice to be in the relaxing company of Isabel & her family as she manages what she realizes are her "minor problems". This time Professor Lettuce is causing one of those problems but also Isabel has allowed herself to be drawn into the internal politics of a neighborhood book club. No worries -- she gets everything sorted out and along the way quotes Auden frequently and enjoys life with Jamie, the 2 little boys, and Brother Fox .

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Could a title be any better? I've often mused on just that idea. Per usual, nothing much happens. People are overall pretty decent to each other, and their lives are devoid of technology. Isabel's musings are filled with references to the poetry of Auden, agape, and the philosophy of the great women philosophers of the Twentieth Century. Jamie is still dishy and the perfect husband. Their two little boys are pretty much on the sidelines. I just love this series but would not recommend this as a stand-alone. Go back to the beginning if this piques your interest. Edinburgh and Alexander McCall Smith's prose are the stars here. By the way, for all you book group members, there's a humorous plotline about the dilemma of what to do when your book group is full of toxic energy!

[Wendi Flint Rank (WendiReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I spend time with Isabel and her family, friends and folks who come through
In various needs, physical, emotional, and practical, I’ve known to rake the book everywhere, and not eat or sleep until I’m finished.
This is my favorite Isabel Dalhousie book. I recommend reading the books in
order so each character will continue to grow as you read forward.
My thanks to Knopf, Pantheon Vintage and Anchor via NetGalley for the
download of this book for review purposes.

[Jennifer Ladd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Isabel says, there are times when the world is too much and you need to go to bed early with milk and honey and a good book. This is how I feel whenever I pick up one of Smith’s books. The resolutions in this installment all revolve around love. Two of the resolutions were quite abrupt and not entirely satisfying

[Andréa Lechner · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is entirely possible that after umpteen books following the uneventful lives of Isabel Dalhousie, her husband Jamie and their young kids, their creator might have run out of steam. The previous instalment had already left a lot to be desired, so the question might now be: how many more yarns can still come out of this by now tired and repetitive saga?
I, for one, am sad. I do not write this review lightly, as the early books in the series had much to recommend them. Intrigue, a powerful romance between a young musician and a woman his senior, followed by the ins and outs of their relationship and their professional careers - his as a classical musician in Scotland, hers as a modern-day philosopher.
The author's voice is much more present in this last book, by way of repartees and in-depth analyses of various topics, which emerge throughout the novel. Big mistake. It comes across as preachy and somewhat self-satisfied. There are several cringe-making passages as well as rather obvious conclusions, which never feel as if they are coming from either Jamie or Isabel.
Maybe the time has come to put these characters to bed. I am quite sure that Brother Fox would not have lasted this long himself, despite the author's insistence that he is still somewhere among the rhododendron bushes.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious, I’ve had it with this series.

[Michele Dancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest installment in Isabel Dalhousie's adventures finds her tackling four issues: an unexpected and secretive guest, Cat's latest romance, a book club in which the members shouldn't even be in the same room together, and a philosophy conference with possibly illegal overtones.
It is always relaxing and pleasurable to spend time in the company of Isabel Dalhousie and her cohort. It is a world where people are, for the most part, kind and intelligent and problems actually get resolved. I don't think I'm capable of not enjoying these books. The only minor complaint I have is that four issues may have been one too many. They were all interesting, but divided my attention to the point where it was difficult to really care about the outcomes.

[Laura Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Pantheon and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 16th, 2024.

I’m a long time fan of McCall Smith, but the Isabel Dalhousie series (this is #15) is the only one I’m still reading. Isabel is a philosopher with an independent income, two small children, and is the editor (and owner) of the Philosophical Review. She lives in Edinburgh and has a habit of “fixing things” both large and small, sometimes fully aware that the problem is none of her business.

I love this series because there is never a shortage of interesting things for Isabel to muse about, and I love the way McCall Smith gets to the essence of every topic. Whether she is talking to herself, to a casual acquaintance, or to her husband, these are the kind of conversations I like to have, and I’m perfectly happy to have them with an intellectual, though fictional, sparring partner!

The “problems” she solves in this book are every day irritations that I can completely relate to and that — while not actually important in the larger scheme of things — is very trying and important in our every day lives. A book group that has become downright antagonistic towards each other; a couple who doesn’t know the truth about each other and really should; a conference organizer potentially defrauding a funding organization; an uncomfortable situation with a long-term (but not well known) house guest.
I like that McCall Smith takes on issues of the day and introduces (often new to me) ethical conundrums. He refers to the Circle of Moral Recognition — the boundary drawn around those entities in the world deemed worthy of moral consideration. What is our own personal moral responsibility in specific situations in the current moral climate? He introduces “defensible pride” vs “hubristic pride” and why one attracts us while we find the other quite off putting. Another concept I hadn’t heard of — but love — is the Hawking index which is the percentage of a book read before the average reader gives up. Named after Hawking’s best selling A brief History of Time which received a whopping 6.6% on the index and still wasn’t the smallest index (that honor goes to Capital in the Twenty-First century by Thomas Piketty). Who knew? Lastly I had to laugh out loud when she suggested the need for “emotional continence” when others went on and on about TMI topics ad nauseam.

I don’t agree with all of Isabel’s thoughts and opinions, but I like the way they are laid out cleanly with a clear understanding of the basic principles and thought process used to come to her conclusions. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all engage on “hot topics” in this way?

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Alexander McCall Smith and have read almost all of his more than 100 titles with pleasure over many years. And I love Isabel with her strong moral compass and compassion. And usually the moral dilemmas which crop up in her life are interesting, as they are here. So why was Isabel’s stream of consciousness narration starting to grate on my nerves 2/3 of the way through the book? Who knows?
I also object to the book group solution! The premise that women are on better behavior towards each other when there is a man around is flawed to begin with: some will become competitive with each other as men often do in the presence of a woman. But the sexist idea that simply adding a man to the group will solve their problems is astonishing to me coming from this author. Really??!!??
Also, is it possible to have too much risotto? A little more variety in the recipes would be more interesting.
And lastly when Isabel first meets Roz I thought they arranged to meet at Rox’s house. But then Roz comes to Isabel - editing oversight?? I reread these sentences several times trying to figure out whether I misunderstood or the text was in error.

[Andrea ☕️📚🌴 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I keep buying these (audio) books because I’m invested after reading all of the series to date. But not much happens any more, it all feels very shallow. A few interesting musings by Isabel, perfect family, easy life, mysteries solved, end. It’s a tried and tested formula. But this time not much happens and the end arrives very much rushed!
No doubt I will still buy the next one…

[Keeley Fretwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, DNF

[Patsy Tindell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good one featuring Isabel Dalhousie, a philosopher, and her husband Jamie, a musician, along with their two little boys. She is forever getting involved in solving other people's problems.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

In spite of other’s reviews I found that this book was almost entirely about Isabel’s philosophies. The mysterious sounds in the attic and the ethics about payment for organizing a meeting had almost the same coverage as what’s on the book jacket. The problem with a book club was a bit longer but not terribly interesting. I kept waiting for something to happen. And beautifully solving things at the end almost had a, oh and here’s what happened/ what the deal was. Basically one sentence about the mysterious noise. I’ve enjoyed Isabel’s books in the past but if I wanted to just read someone’s philosophical musings I’d get a book on philosophy.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found Anna Karenina easier to read than this.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You had to be careful: smugness lay just below the surface of satisfaction, ready to lure one into its embrace. It was very pleasant being smug, there being no need to concern oneself with improvement when one is perfect as one is.”

The Conditions Of Unconditional Love is the fifteenth book in the Isabel Dalhousie series by British author, Alexander McCall Smith which takes the reader back into the life of our favourite Edinburgh philosopher. the audio version is narrated by Stephanie Moore.

When Isabel’s husband, Jamie mentions the plight of a woman who made a poor choice, Isabel feels a duty through moral proximity to help. Jamie knows he wouldn’t want to change her, but does wish he could moderate her sense of obligation. They offer Dawn, a nurse on the infectious diseases ward at the Western General Hospital, their attic room, but have they done the right thing? Housekeeper Grace has some reservations, and after a short while, even Jamie seems to be having doubts.

Isabel is dismayed by Professor Robert Lettuce’s academic snobbery and condescension regards a certain benefactor, but is even more disturbed by his outrageous allocation of the funds promised by a supporting trust for his proposed conference. Will her diplomatic missive taking him to task for this have any effect? When she decides to approach from another angle, she stumbles on corruption…

Cat’s new boyfriend proclaims his deep love for her to Isabel, and she worries that her inconstant niece may break his heart. But the situation changes radically before Isabel can go past considering what she might do, and things take an unexpectedly bad turn.

As she and Jamie are leaving a concert, Isabel is asked to join a book club by a neighbour who has heard she helps sort things out. Jamie, with a note of reproach in his voice, asks “Isabel? Have you just said yes to something?” She wonders what, if anything, she could possibly do about the level of dislike that is evident between members, but then a lightbulb moment provides a novel solution.

As might be expected in the home of a philosopher, there’s often a bit of breakfast table philosophy. She and Jamie discuss the ethics of doing the right thing for the wrong reason, and Isabel remarks “Going through life is much easier if you aren’t a philosopher. There must be far fewer problems in the unexamined life.”

During her workday, Isabel pulls herself up when tempted to indulge in mockery, remembering that this is usually a cruel act. With Jamie and other acquaintances, tera nullius, land rights, compromise and discrimination all get an airing, and Isabel notes that the charitable attitude would be to focus on the prospective contribution of newcomers.

Musing on alpha males, she wonders if there are also beta males, or perhaps omega males. In dealing with Robert Lettuce in person, she wishes for a hatpin. Reflecting cosmetic dentistry, she is unconvinced that perfection does anything to enhance character. She admires those whose personal motto is Stop and Think, there generally being too little stopping, and too little thinking.

As always, McCall Smith includes plenty of gentle philosophy and an abundance of wisdom, and Isabel’s reflections often bring a smile to the face. Another delightfully entertaining dose of Alexander McCall Smith.

[Janet Rosfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read all the Isabel books and have followed our dear philosopher through 15 books, marriage and two children. Hers, not mine, and look forward eagerly for each new installment. Then I read a few chapters and get mildly irritated with Isabel and how she is constantly put upon by all sorts of people and their problems. It must be very hard to be married to a philosopher who constantly parses every decision and feels that they have to be on the moral high ground. Then I keep reading and fall in love with these books all over again. This time out Isabel and Jamie end up with a mysterious house guest Dawn who needs a place to live after a contentious affair with a member of Jamie's orchestra. She is also asked to join a neighbor's book club and try to solve the problem of their constant bickering. Add in the awful Professor Lettuce and his plan for an academic conference, whose funding seems definitely fishy and you have a pretty full plate of problems.
Favorite lines - "Freedom of speech does not include the right to make others uncomfortable.' It does, actually, thought Isabel. That's one of the things, surely that freedom of speech is all about. We need to feel uncomfortable from time to time.'
" ..."we're talking about love lives and on balance I'd agree with you. You shouldn't ask because it's an area of life that may be --not necessarily is, but may be private. We have to keep some sense of privacy in our lives." As she said this, she realized how out of date she must sound to those who disclosed to the world every detail of what the did and what happened to them"
McCall Smith gently skewers book clubs and the many types of aggravating members who like to parade their superior intellectual knowledge and eschew any reading for mere pleasure.
It's worth reading for the book club chapters alone.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. I don't know how the author does it, truly. He writes so many different series, but I love how he gets into Isabel's head. For books where very little happens, I find them so entertaining. Well, first of all, I love walking the streets of Edinburgh with Isabel, and listening to her thoughts. Her husband Jamie is a wonderful character and their love for each other shines through.
Isabel just can't help helping people. In this book there are no less than 5 problems she helps sort out, and as the end of the book was coming, I wondered if we would get all the answers, and we did. If you like quiet contemplative books, this is the series for you.

[Amit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This used to be my favorite series by Alexander McCall Smith, but it seems to be running out of steam now, predictably. It's a 15th installment. Almost one a year. With 3 more such series. The plots are getting thinner and thinner. And the morality puzzles are becoming a tad repetitive and kind of trivial, especially given the current milieu.

[Magdalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love The Isabel Dalhousie series best of all his series and this one is another great chance to spend time with my fictional bestie.

[Donna Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scotland’s famous philosopher Isabel Dalhousie, with her caring musician husband Jamie, handles a multitude of sticky situations. Of course, after her round about method of reviewing possibilities, she solves most issues.

A delightful book, as are all of Alexander McCall Smith’s characters.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful book and characters! “Forgiveness and reconciliation, tolerance and acceptance were the notes to which one should tune. Unconditional love…was the answer to everything.”
I love Alexander McCall Smith’s way with words.

[Rachael Dockery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time spent with Isabel Dalhousie is always time well-spent.