The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Registered by yellowoasis on 10/24/2003
4 journalers for this copy...
I had seen this book on display at W H Smith in Colchester and was intrigued by the title and the cover. Coming back to New Zealand, I kept hearing about the book and its author. Then he was interviewed on Kim Hill and I thought, I have to read that damn book!
Almost every review of this book describes it as ‘gentle’ fiction, and I agree. It’s not in-your-face crime, but the incidents investigated are mildly intriguing. McCall Smith has an affection for Botswana which comes through loud and clear in his book. In his Kim Hill interview he talked about the fact that HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in Botswana, but that he doesn’t think his books are the place to discuss it. I quite like that. He alludes to the disease only once – enough to let the reader know that he’s not unaware that it’s a problem. Mma Ramotswe is an engaging character, vividly brought to life through the story.
A very enjoyable book, I will probably read more in the series.
Sent to a fellow BXer.
Almost every review of this book describes it as ‘gentle’ fiction, and I agree. It’s not in-your-face crime, but the incidents investigated are mildly intriguing. McCall Smith has an affection for Botswana which comes through loud and clear in his book. In his Kim Hill interview he talked about the fact that HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in Botswana, but that he doesn’t think his books are the place to discuss it. I quite like that. He alludes to the disease only once – enough to let the reader know that he’s not unaware that it’s a problem. Mma Ramotswe is an engaging character, vividly brought to life through the story.
A very enjoyable book, I will probably read more in the series.
Sent to a fellow BXer.
Journal Entry 3 by JesseBC at -- By Post Or By Hand - i.e. Ring, Trade, RABCK, Meet in Seattle, Washington USA on Tuesday, April 6, 2004
Released on Tuesday, April 06, 2004 at by mail to another bookcrosser in Seattle, Washington USA.
I have to admit that even though everyone loves this book------I loved it, too. Who could not be enchanted by Precious Ramotswe, founder and owner of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana? She's clever, she's fat and she can run rings around everyone else in town. Except when she's outwitted by a high school girl. This is the charming and philosophical introduction to Mma Ramotswe and her friends.
Mma Ramotswe is a deep thinker. She ponders the big questions of life quite often throughout the book. "She stopped. It was time to take the pumpkin out of the pot and eat it. In the final analysis that was what solved these big problems in life. You could think and think and get nowhere but you still had to eat your pumpkin. That brought you down to earth. That gave you a reason for going on. Pumpkin."
Isn't she great?
Just one question: how does one pronounce "Mma?"
Thanks, JesseBC--I've read this book and the next three in the series. But I have a good friend who I think would enjoy it. I'll pass it on!
Mma Ramotswe is a deep thinker. She ponders the big questions of life quite often throughout the book. "She stopped. It was time to take the pumpkin out of the pot and eat it. In the final analysis that was what solved these big problems in life. You could think and think and get nowhere but you still had to eat your pumpkin. That brought you down to earth. That gave you a reason for going on. Pumpkin."
Isn't she great?
Just one question: how does one pronounce "Mma?"
Thanks, JesseBC--I've read this book and the next three in the series. But I have a good friend who I think would enjoy it. I'll pass it on!
This book is currently at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse 4410 California Ave SW West Seattle, WA 98116 206.935.1510 www.hotwirecoffee.com
CAUGHT IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON US
CAUGHT IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON US
