Dickens & Rumi

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The Lost Art of Gratitude

Alexander McCall Smith · 2009

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Lost Art of Gratitude by Alexander McCall Smith. This book is content notes include Romance, Alcohol or drugs, Strong language; positive qualities include Kindness & empathy, Positive messages.

Book 6 · Isabel Dalhousie / The Sunday Philosophy Club SeriesSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsRomance 3/5 · Alcohol or drugs 1/5 · Strong language 1/5
Strongest positivesKindness & empathy 4/5 · Positive messages 4/5
Series positionBook 6 · Isabel Dalhousie / The Sunday Philosophy Club Series
Recommendation3.5/5

Kindness & empathy; strongest caution: romance.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Kindness & empathy; strongest caution: romance.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Romance 3/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
11Scored categories
11Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth11 scored categories11 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Romance3/5
  • Alcohol or drugs1/5
  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5
  • Educational value3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 7 · The charming quirks of othersStrongest cautions: Romance 2/5 · Strong language 1/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · Sunday Philosophy Club, The
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes2/5Romance2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · Friends, Lovers, Chocolate
    Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Death of a character2/5Religious themes2/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · The Right Attitude to Rain
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 4 · The Careful Use of Compliments
    Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  5. Book 5 · The comforts of a muddy Saturday
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  6. Book 6 · The Lost Art of Gratitude
    Romance3/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    Gets gentler
  7. Book 7 · The charming quirks of others
    Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  8. Book 8 · The Forgotten Affairs of Youth
    Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  9. Book 9 · The Uncommon Appeal of Clouds
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  10. Book 10 · The Novel Habits of Happiness
    Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets gentler
  11. Book 11 · A Distant View of Everything
    Alcohol or drugs2/5Religious themes2/5Romance2/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    Gets more intense
  12. Book 12 · The Quiet Side of Passion
    Death of a character2/5Romance2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Frightening scenes1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5Strong language1/5Violence1/5
    About the same
  13. Book 13 · The Geometry of Holding Hands
    Romance3/5Religious themes2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Death of a character1/5Frightening scenes1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

The language is polite, formal, and free of profanity.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Adult romantic and relationship concerns are part of Isabel's continuing personal life, alongside professional and philosophical themes.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Adults may drink wine or other beverages socially, but substance use is not central or presented as a major concern.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Sexual content & nudity · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Character shows moral courage in standing up for principles and truth.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

Encourages creative thinking regarding moral dilemmas and understanding human motivations.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Characters are generally representative of an Edinburgh academic and professional demographic.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

It explores applied ethics, moral reasoning, and philosophical ideas through an adult literary narrative rather than formal instruction.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Kindness, gratitude, and empathy are the core pillars of the narrative.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The plot explicitly emphasizes gratitude, kindness, ethical reflection, and examining one's responsibilities toward others.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Isabel is a thoughtful, intellectually curious, and principled protagonist.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. Where did a character show kindness or empathy, and what changed because of it?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in The Lost Art of Gratitude would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Lost Art of Gratitude, and what caused that change?
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