Book review: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: contemporary
📖 Read if you like: A Town Called Solace

“Almost everything starts in a small way.”
I knew from the first line that this was going to be a book that I would love. As a researcher, I understand that the politics of academia can be treacherous waters hidden beneath a veneer of calm smiles and polite conversation. Everyone is a self-interested shark looking to further their own careers while the student body remains a mine field of carefully worded vernacular and interactions. The whole witch hunt aspect of this novel, along with the slew of nuanced personalities with varying degrees of self-righteousness formed a sort of thought argument on individual speech and awareness beyond the self and of the self. There were so many thought provoking points raised within the first couple chapters that I really wanted to book club this one with my colleagues. Some may find this sort of situational analysis dry, but I found it rather relatable, if taken to an extreme.

Dr. Neil Anderson has a secured position at the University of Edinburgh, an intelligent and interesting partner Chrissie, a gorgeous flat and supportive friends. When a student accuses Neil of an insensitive comment, his life suddenly becomes upended. One mishap leads to a cascade of misfortune that finds Neil searching for escapism and a new start. On the remote Isle of Mull, Neil may just reinvent himself and find a person that means more than mere companionship. With a pair of hybrid wolf cubs showing up where they don’t belong, it perhaps is a sign that home can be where you least expect it.

A sort of new age bullying disguising itself as a morality police, sticking up to institutional power with nothing but hopeful idealism and righteous indignation. As someone who attended Cambridge and went to debates on the welfare system or race inequity in higher education by a populace that was mostly privately educated and white, the irony was only obvious to a select few. While this may have been a satire extolling extremism, a butterfly wing that causes a tsunami so to speak, the ideas were ones that I could all too easily see occurring in this septic environment full of creatures of habit.

This was unexpected and I connected with the thought process if not the criticism of students always needing to feel safe. In this context it was ridiculous, but as someone who identifies as a minority on multiple fronts in my field I would be deeply aggrieved if my experiences were belittled or brushed aside should I have chosen to share them with administration. So it was complex in idealogy, but I found it rather interesting.

If I had one big critque it would be that I was missing some of the magic that comes from being in the abandoned moors or harsh seaside. Scotland is a place where poetry writes itself and that element was missing. The second half of the book actually seemed to loose quite a bit of steam and the romance element didn’t really make any sense to me. I started to find Neil rather annoying in his general apathy towards his mistreatment and judgement towards his only supportive friend. His attraction to Jill seemed out of character given is general flat line attitude so that was a less compelling plot point.

So I enjoyed some of the controversial points raised and grey area, but I found a first and second half a bit disjointed. Thank you to Vintage Books, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for an eARC for review.

I wanted to really love this book because I love Alexander McCall Smith's other works, but sadly, this one was not my favorite. The synopsis was intriguing, and I was looking forward to Neil and Katie's story. However, I was disappointed when, what seemed like the main plot, ended up occurring at the very end of the book, and was very brief. The story started off slow, and I kept waiting for it to pick up, but never felt as if it did.

I enjoyed the characters, but felt some of their dialogue was long-winded at times. Again, maybe this is because I was waiting to get to the "meat" of the story?

I think I would have enjoyed this more with a different plot synopsis!

This story has McCall Smith's trademark thoughtful, considered approach to the world's problems as experienced by an individual character. The main character, Dr. Neil Anderson, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, finds his quiet, ordered life suddenly turned upside down after a false accusation derails his job and he discovers that his partner has also betrayed him. McCall Smith's characters are always nuanced and relatable, and Neil is no exception. His decision to resign and move to a remote island location to lick his wounds and rethink his life results in new friendships and a powerful rediscovery of his sense of belonging and identity. The theme of forgiveness vs revenge is explored, as is the necessity to take a stand against wrong-doing, but these themes are treated in a thoughtful, gentle way that makes the point without becoming too heavy and depressing. The possibility of new beginnings and hope for the future shines through the story. Readers that appreciate a story that is character and relationship-driven rather than action-packed will love this one.

I love McCall Smith's writing style. He just seems to know so much, poetry, Philosophy, and just the way of being human. The book begins with Neil going into a barbershop and because he has to wait, picks up a newspaper and sees an ad for a job. He is a public health doctor and gets a job at an institute.
As his life slowly unfolds, he seems to accept everything that happens to him. He has a friend from medical school, James, who gets upset when things happen to him, more upset than Neil himself does.
Neil goes off to spend time on the Isle of Mull and contemplates his future. I just enjoyed his journey, his thoughts and watching the life of the island through his eyes.
McCall Smith has an uncanny ability to have us think about life and all that goes on around us. The book ended just as I hoped it would and I will think about it long after I have finished.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review. I think this would make a very good book club book as I would be very interested to see if people would agree with what I think is important about this kind of writing.

I had long ago read several of the author's "No. 1 Ladies Detective" series and greatly enjoyed his style of writing. This book is
a different setting (Edinburgh and the Isle of Mull) with Scottish characters. The main character Neil, a research doctor and
University lecturer, is very likable and altruistic, and you are rooting for him throughout the novel as his life changes unexpectedly.

I love the scenes on the Isle of Mull and how the author resolves Neil's dilemma and life plans. I don't think this is intended to
be a series, but I would eagerly read a sequel if there ever is one.

Highly recommended to fans of the author's other books and those interested in life on a secluded Scottish Isle. I've never been
to Mull, but we loved visiting Islay.

This was such a calm, thoughtful read. Alexander McCall Smith’s writing is so laid-back but still hits deep. The story follows Neil, a young researcher whose life falls apart after workplace drama and betrayal. But instead of revenge, he chooses peace—and finds it on a quiet Scottish island.

I loved how the pacing matched Neil’s vibe: slow, intentional, and grounded. He had every reason to fight back but took the high road, and that said a lot about his character. Some parts rubbed me the wrong way (especially the “ruthless women in power” angle), but overall, this was a refreshing, feel-good story. Definitely checking out more of his standalones.

*I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced release copy of this book. I couldn’t put it down!

This was not my favorite book by the author. It had long, slow-burn chapters that didn’t really go anywhere. It was all about how words can be twisted to hurt you, girl power, and how hateful society has become. I was also disappointed by the way the book ended. I did, however, like the characters and the overall premise of the book.

Even though I didn’t enjoy this particular book, I plan on reading future books by the author because I enjoy the clever storytelling!

Thank you to NetGalley and tagged publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I've always wanted to read Alexander McCall Smith but sometimes jumping into a series when an author is that prolific feels a bit daunting to me. When I saw that he had a new standalone novel coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on it and I am so glad that I did.

In this story, we meet newly appointed professor Neil, who thinks he's finally landed his dream job as a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. When he is wrongly accused of using insensitive language by a student and finds out his partner is cheating on him, he decides to leave it all behind for the Island of Mull. to stay with his good friend James. Most of the book is a quiet rumination on being wronged and how to find a path forward. This will appeal to readers who aren't looking for a ton of plot but a quiet, careful story.

Alexander McCall Smith just keeps getting better and better. This well crafted tale is all we have come to expect from him and more! Well-written with a fabulously crafted conclusion! Don't miss it!

Unexpected!

Strangely haunting, yet arresting tale of a honest, decent man Dr. Neil Anderson. Neil is a medical researcher and lecturer in Public Health at Edinburgh University.
Neil’s reported by a student for using improper language about people who live in a downtrodden area. He didn’t. The student is a would be activist. Neil’s ambitious head of department decides that Neil must apologise to the class. She can make political mileage out of this!
Neil refuses and resigns. At the same time he finds out his partner Chrissie Thomson is having an affair. Neil comes home early and walks in on Chrissie and her lover.
Neil heads off to the Isle of Mull, off the West Coast of Scotland, to think things through. He stays in a house belonging to his gay friend James.
Neil finds himself becoming more involved with his neighbors in this very different community on the Isle.
An interesting fellow James who has strong ideas on injustices and retribution.
James is further annoyed on the part of Neil when Neil finds out that Chrissie has been employed by his ex boss to carry on with Neil’s research and lectures. Hmmm!
A winsome treatise on thoughts, actions, life and choices run through this rather fascinating tale from McCall Smith.

A Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is a book that you will either love or hate, Completely different to the author's other series. I think this is probably a stand-alone book, and doubt that it would make a good series. Things I loved, the description of the Scottish island, and some of the vet's animal patients. There seemed to be a lot of philosophy in the first half of the book, which made it boring.

The Winds From Further West follows Neil, a Public Health professor in Edinburgh, whose perfectly good life suddenly goes off track after a series of personal and professional events. Feeling disillusioned with the state of society, Neil needs to get away, and he finds himself on the Isle of Muir seeking refuge in his friend’s family’s cottage. On Muir he meets a group of people who remind him the world isn’t all bad.

Alexander McCall Smith is my Grandma’s favorite author and after years of buying his older books second hand for her, I decided it was time to read one. The description of this one seemed to promise intrigue and the magic of Scotland’s isles. However, unfortunately it was a big mismatch for me. I found the main character extremely boring and lacking any conviction. He seemed to just let life happen to him rather than take an active role in it at all. Then he’d philosophically ponder what was wrong in the world but take no actionable steps to improve his own life.

Paired with the fact that the university affair was far more the A plot than the escape to Muir (which was not what I was expecting based off the blurb) and that once there the magic of Scotland didn’t even come across on the page, this one unfortunately was just not for me.

The Winds From Further West by Alexander McCall Smith is about a Doctor Who threw a magazine advertisement becomes a professor in Edinburgh Scotland. He soon meets a woman named Christie who although he’s not in love with he can see himself being happy with her so with a great job and a stable relationship he thinks he couldn’t be happier. recently the university changed from voting in it’s Dean to having one appointed and the new Dean is playing a chess game that only she is aware of so when a student misconstrued something Neil says in one of his lectures she decides to use this as a tactic to get her way. The only problem is Peter refuses to play ball he did nothing wrong and won’t admit to anything less than the truth when he quit his job he gets home early only to find his girlfriend Christie in a situation that doesn’t need explanation. This is how he finds himself on the aisle of Mull, living in a farmhouse owned by one of his closest friends James and he even met James friend Maddie and her husband Stewart. Neil and James went to medical school together and despite their closeness Neil finds it off putting how angry James is on his behalf with everything having to do with the incident at the university and with Christie. Despite Neil thinking it’s one thing in the end he will learn it’s something else and meat some really good people along the way and in the end he may just fine his one true love at first sight. I love books by this author he really truly gets the whole feeling and Zeitgeist of the community he’s portraying in the book I loved all the conversations that although interesting had lots of good commentary on life today. I am a big fan of this author‘s books his writing style and gets so excited when I see he has a new book out. I don’t think this book is as long as some of his others but still definitely so worth reading a really good book about second chances redemption and being good in the face of ugly. I also want to say I too love the poem written about Kent by Arnold it is such a reflective and apropos poem I think for any day and age there are many other mentions of poetry and other books something else I love about the authors novels. #NetGalley, #BlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #AlexanderMcCallSmith, #TheWindsFromFurtherWest,

Although this book is well written and it has an appeal in terms of relevant and current story lines, it is such a departure in style and content from McCall Smith's other works it is slightly jarring to read. Good writing is never out of style. Just to be clear. But if you are expecting a typical McCall Smith plot and setting, this book will be a bit of a disappointment. It is a decent story on it's own, but don't expect the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency here, and simply enjoy it on it's own merits. Some of the characters are odious and simply unbearable human beings. I think that is the point. But it can be overbearing. Read it for the writing, not for the content.

In The Winds from Further West, McCall Smith again serves as a gentle but effective moral guide on various human predicaments and issues of the day while spinning an engaging yarn. The story centers on Neil, a public health researcher and instructor at an Edinburgh institution, who finds himself unjustifiably “cancelled” due to an activist student’s misconstrual of a comment he made in class and an opportunistic administrator’s seizing on the complaint. Neil takes that—and some other indignities—as his cue to take a break, and he serendipitously lands among the good people of the Isle of Mull. The book is full of the author’s characteristic kind treatment of human foibles, philosophy jokes, fascinating tidbits about Scotland’s history and customs, and keen and timely (but remarkably, never pedantic) observations—whether about the role of random events in what we view as our self-determined lives, the increasingly underappreciated importance of science and public health work, or university politics (a capacious category encompassing all manner of error). It is, as always, restorative to spend a few hours in McCall Smith’s company.

definitely very thought provoking, so wouldn't fall very short, but i did find a lot of the subplots had no real purpose. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

🗃Exit academic drama for relaxed Mull life🌅

Poor Neil gets drummed out of his Edinburgh scientific academia position and discovers the joys of life on Mull in the Scottish Western Isles. His romantic ups and downs added to the story, but I found the descriptions of the island and philosophical discussions about how attitudes are changing the best part (and very timely, relevant, too).

Neil is a champion of a more compassionate, forgiving attitude. He is juxtaposed against an idealistic, trouble making student; a deceitful girlfriend; an unsupportive superior with her own agenda; and a friend who can't understand Neil's tolerant ability to leave slights and hurts behind in the past.

I thought the discussion of the "other" culture, political correctness and growing intolerance for those who don't share the same opinion spot on. The moral and ethical issues reminded me of the author's Isabel Dalhousie series, which, along with his 44 Scotland Street and his absurd Professor Dr Von Igelfeld series, ranks among my favorites. Just found the ending quite open-ended and not totally satisfying.

Thanks to Pantheon and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared on 7/11/25 on Waterstones, Goodreads and Bookbub, and with Barnes & Noble and BAM. To be shared with kobo and Google Play upon publication.

The Winds From Further West by Alexander McCall Smith--This standalone novel from the author of my beloved No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series releases Aug. 1. It is similar in vibes with not a lot of action and lots of thoughtful musings about life. Neil finds himself at a crossroads after endings in both professional and personal life. He goes to a friend's home on an island off of Scotland to be alone and figure out what comes next. I really liked this one. I like the writing style and the way the author ponders about life. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I have been a long-time fan of AlexanderMcCall Smith’s books, especially the #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street series. So I really looked forward to reading The Winds from Further West. It did, however, turn out to be a totally different type of book, and to me, sadly less enjoyable. The first chapters about the complaints by a public health student named Tom Barnes in the Edinburgh Institute, about wording used by. Dr. Neil Anderson in teaching class, were a real slog for me. While the student complained to Institute Director Henrietta Ford that Neil had described impoverished people in Glasgow as “disgusting,’ Neil says he came from the “working class” and merely said the conditions they lived in were “disgusting,” not the people themselves. From that point on, Neil is pressured by Harriet to apologize to the class, and Neil refuses to apologize for something he feels he had not said. I found much of this section tedious as it seemed to involve many discussions and just didn’t hold my interest; the focus on offensive wording, however, is typical of many organizations and groups today. The situation also negatively affects Neil’s relationship with partner Christie, who does not agree with his refusal to apologize. Neil ends up resigning his position and taking a break at a friend’s cottage elsewhere in relatively isolated Mull.

The characters, local life, and conversations in Mull make for a much more enjoyable read and to me are much more typical of the author’s other books. Although people there engage in agriculture, fishing, and raising farm animals, they also contemplate human values, friendship, and even poetry on occasion,. Descriptions of the environs, daily life, and human relationships are as enjoyable as in the author’s other works. Neil eventually discovers he is happier there.

In summary, while parts of this book really held my interest, and the author’s talents shone in much of the characters’ conversation in Mull, this was just not a favorite of mine, I regret to say.