These books are fabulous - they paint such a funny and sympathetic look at Africa in general. I know as someone who lives in the first world that, generally, our image of Africa is a continent in trouble - starvation, disease, corruption etc. It made such a refreshng change to see books that not only had positive African characters, but ones that felt real (not two dimensional). The author's love of Africa also really comes across in the books. The stories themselves lean towards light, but make serious points about real life and the types of issues we have all faced, as human beings. I would highly recommend these books as a good way of relaxing. They always leave me smiling.
|
This product reached me in perfect condition within a few days of me ordering it. I was thoroughly pleased with my purchase.
|
....but absolutely loved this! It's atmospheric, gentle and clever in a King Solomon way. Wanted to see if the book lived up to the hype, and delighted to report that it does. Have ordered the next 4 in the series.....
|
Mma Precious Ramotswe inherits her father's cattle, which she sells in order to start a new life for herself. With the money she is able to buy a house and an office. She decides to start her own business; she becomes the first female private detective in Botswana. Initially her detective agency seems doomed to failure, but gradually business picks up and Mma Ramotswe proves she is very capable in solving her clients' cases. There is the inevitable wandering husband, missing child, suspicious claim for damages and recalcitrant teenager, but the finest case in the novel is when she is asked to investigate the possibility that a doctor in the local hospital is bogus. With her wisdom an skill she brings this case to a satisfactory and surprising conclusion. As Precious Ramotswe says "There is no problem so great it cannot be solved by a cup of bush tea."
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a thoroughly entertaining and engrossing read. Don't miss it!
|
Precious Ramotswe is a determined woman of a comfortable size who is the first female private detective to set up an agency in Botswana. Helped by her efficient secretary, Mma Makutsi and J. L. B. Matekoni, the owner of a nearby garage, she helps solve cases such as identifying the boyfriend of a young girl for her father and working out whether the man living with one client is really her long-lost father. While there is a cozy feel to many of the cases, Mma Ramotswe's main case in the book is one that goes to Botswana's more sinister underbelly - the kidnapping of a young boy for muti (black magic).
McCall Smith writes with a real affection for Botswana and its people. Although the book does not go deep into Botswana's poverty (Mma Ramotswe and her friends are all relatively comfortable and are respected within the community), he does acknowledge it - particularly through the story of Precious's father who made his money working in the harsh South African mines. However the muti case puts pays to any thought that this is a book that sees Africa through rose-tinted glasses.
It's a charming read with wonderful characters, a great sense of place and a lot of humour. The only thing I can say against it is that it's nowhere near long enough as I could have read about all of the characters for hours. I was very sorry to have finished it and am keen to read the next in the series.
|