“There was no point in telling somebody not to cry, she had always thought; indeed there were times when you should do exactly the opposite, when you should urge people to cry, to start the healing that sometimes only tears can bring. But if there was a place for tears of relief, there might even be a place for tears of pride[.]”

Scottish novelist and lawyer of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Alexander McCall Smith is best known for his series of gentle, philosophical novels set in Edinburgh and Africa, blending humor and wisdom. His works often explore themes of kindness, community, and the quiet joys of everyday life, earning him a devoted global readership.