Dickens & Rumi

book

The charming quirks of others

Alexander McCall Smith · 2010

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The charming quirks of others by Alexander McCall Smith. This book is content notes include Romance, Alcohol or drugs, Sexual content & nudity; positive qualities include Creativity & curiosity, Good role models.

Book 7 · 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 2/5 · Alcohol or drugs 1/5 · Sexual content & nudity 1/5
Strongest positivesCreativity & curiosity 3/5 · Good role models 3/5
Series positionBook 7 · Isabel Dalhousie / The Sunday Philosophy Club Series
Recommendation3/5

Creativity & curiosity; 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

Creativity & curiosity; strongest caution: romance.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Romance 2/5
Recommendation 3/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
13Scored categories
13Evidence 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.

Review depth13 scored categories13 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Romance2/5
  • Alcohol or drugs1/5
  • Sexual content & nudity1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Kindness & empathy3/5

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 8 · The Forgotten Affairs of YouthStrongest 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

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Language is generally restrained and adult-oriented, with at most mild insults or emotionally sharp remarks.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features adult romantic relationships and dating concerns, handled with maturity and restraint.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Minor references to adult relationships; very mild and non-graphic.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Adults may occasionally drink wine in social settings; there is no indication of drug use or substance misuse as a theme.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

The series is famously gentle; no physical violence.

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.

Frightening scenes · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Moral courage is frequently displayed in navigating difficult social truths.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages curiosity and critical thinking about others' behaviors.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited in scope to the specific characters of the Edinburgh community.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Contains philosophical musings and considerations on ethics.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness and understanding are core tenets of the main character.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes the value of empathy, ethics, and intellectual integrity.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist acts as a thoughtful, principled adult role model.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in The charming quirks of others would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The charming quirks of others, and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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