Fiction
Reviews
Cancel culture, given its possibilities, has strangely few literary outings. Thank goodness, then, for Alexander McCall Smith, who here kicks off the action with a spectacular de-platforming... while I loved the city-country contrast and the trademark gentle wisdom, the shocking academic skulduggery was my favourite [aspect]
Daily Mail
a captivating page-turner... With his signature lightness of touch and humour
Sunday Post
Neil takes a thoughtful, understated and deeply humane approach to matters of the heart... gently subversive
The Scotsman
His latest book is something of a departure. It encompasses very present issues in the UK: cancel culture, workplace bullying, and the changing world of academia... an exploration of character... a call to arms for better society'
BBC Radio 4 Front Row
in McCall Smith's friendly narration... all is well in the curative Hebrides
West Highland Free Press
lovely stuff from the world’s favourite author
Saga magazine, latest 'must reads'
The Winds from Further West is an immersive experience, one where you sit down to read for an hour only to find yourself lost for the day in the world of Neil, a man who seems to have it all
Scottish Field
There is so much to enjoy in this cleverly written novel. Alexander explores the power games in the workplace, and what happens when you drift into a life that doesn’t inspire you or align with your core values... A must-read for all Alexander McCall Smith fans
Sixtyplus Surfers
McCall Smith writes in such a way that characters can become our friends and we get upset when they get upset... thank you Alexander McCall Smith
Good Reading Magazine, Australia
McCall Smith’s character work is top-notch, and he’s unflinching with his barbs about the morass of higher education. The author’s fans will love this
Publishers' Weekly
About the Book
'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.
Praise for Alexander McCall Smith's writing:
'The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision. This is art that conceals art' – Sunday Telegraph
'Bags of warmth and wisdom and easy, accomplished writing that begs for a comfy chair' – The Times
'Charming, delightful, feel-good stuff' – Daily Express
The Author
Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the highly successful No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which has sold over twenty-five million copies. Since then he has devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world. These include the 44 Scotland Street novels, first published as a serial novel in the Scotsman, the Isabel Dalhousie novels, the Von Igelfeld series and the Corduroy Mansions novels.
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