When a young woman complains that she was unfairly dismissed
from her job, the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency has a new case.Charity was accused of being rude to a
customer, a charge she denies.Was she
really guilty, or is there something else going on at the store?
Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe discovers there is another woman with
the unusual surname of Ramotswe.She
must be a relative, but how are they related?
Adding to her stress is that a man from her past is in town,
someone she wants to avoid.
Everyone knows the formula for these books.Problems are solved over cups of red bush
tea, fruit cake is consumed, and the state of the world is discussed. These are
characters we know and love, and we care about them.This entry has the usually unflappable Mma
Ramotswe suffering emotional pain.As
Mma Makutsi thinks, “Mma Ramotswe being sad was like a day with no sun, a day
with no birdsong at dawn, a day without tea. . . .”
I hesitate to describe the plot any further, because I don’t
want to spoil anything.
Be assured that all turns out well in the end, with a surprise
or two along the way, but the emotional depth that run through the book makes
this volume a standout for me. I’ll admit that some of the books have run
together but there are some I remember vividly, and I think this will be one of
those.
Unfortunately, business has been very slow at both the
detective agency and at Tlokweng Speedy Motors, which means some
belt-tightening will be on the way.There’s only one case in the offing, but it’s a strange one:a woman who claims not to remember who she is
or where she’s from. She doesn’t know
where South Africa is but she knows that she take two lumps of sugar in her
tea; she doesn’t remember father or mother or husband.She’s been taken in by two kind people who
ask Mma Ramotswe to make discrete inquiries to discover her identity, but
Precious feels that there is more to the story than they’re telling.
Long time readers of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency will
know that the joy is in the storytelling and in the characters rather than the
mystery.This entry is even more
thoughtful than most, centering more on changes and growth in some of the
cast.For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this as
a starting point for those new to the series, but fans will find it very
satisfying especially since two characters have some personal revelations that
bode well for the future.McCall Smith
has gradually introduced more realistic aspects of modern life into the background--AIDs orphans, for example-- though the
books remain warm and ultimately uplifting. I’ve never had red bush tea, but I’d
certainly try a cup so I could have a chat with the wonderful Mma Ramotswe. The
books make me laugh, cry, and occasionally reflect, and I close the book
feeling that everything will be all right in the world.
I do confess I wonder how his books are viewed in Botswana. I'm sure the books have provided a boost to tourism.
I started reading the “Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency” books back some years ago, when there were only about four or five in the series. I admit they took a little getting used to, what with all those exotic names of people and places, a different rhythm to the speech, and such a different setting: the African country of Botswana. I don’t know that I had ever given Botswana a great deal of notice before, but after making the acquaintance of Precious Ramotswe, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Grace Makutsi and all the others who populate these wonderful tales I had to read further about the real country.
As with many series, some books are more successful than others. I had become comfortable with the books and sort of took them for granted. A new one was like a big bowl of mashed potatoes: delicious, comforting, and no surprises. When I noticed The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection on the new book shelf, I started to read it but realized somehow I’d failed to read the previous book. So I also checked out The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party, and settled in for a visit with friends.
Saturday didn’t disappoint. One of the most interesting aspects for me as a reader is how McCall-Smith has allowed his characters’ lives to change gradually, without too much drama or upheaval. In this one, a long awaited event occurs for Mma Makutsi, while Mma Ramotswe tries to solve a case involving injured cattle, dreams of her beloved white van and tries to help one of the apprentice mechanics do the right thing. It was a vintage story.
Satisfied, I picked up Limpopo and settled in for more of the same. My first surprise was that a person who had been mentioned since the very first book, Mr. Clovis Anderson, noted author of The Principles of Private Detection, actually shows up in Botswana. Needless to say, Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are somewhat awed by this person, but fortunately he seems to be as humble and approachable as one could wish a great man to be. Even better, there are two mysteries to be solved, and Mr. Anderson lends his aid without slighting the ladies’ abilities in the least. One involves Mma Potokwane, the matron of the orphan farm, who has been dismissed from her post, while the other has some rather odd dealings with a contractor who is building Grace and Phuti’s dream house.
As I’ve indicated, the series is a solid one, and one I’d begun to take for granted. Limpopo is a top notch entry in the series, reminding me of everything I loved about the early books and reducing me to tears at the end. If you haven’t picked up one of the books for awhile, by all means give this one a try.
Note: I also highly recommend the video version of “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.” A lot of films disappoint but this series is a delight, not only visually but aurally as well. Hearing the rhythms of speech as well as the music of the region is wonderful. The colors are bright and as vivid as the characters. Bonus features offer some comments from the author and the cast. The library has the DVD as well as a documentary on Botswana, with Alexander McCall Smith taking viewers to some of the real places depicted in the books.
The Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson
F DRA Main
Reviewed by Jeanne
For years, Mr. Malik has gone to the meeting of the birdwatchers group, dutifully noting the various species of birds. For years, too, he has longed to get up the courage to ask Rose, the group leader and guide, out on a date. This year, the quiet widower has made up his mind: he will ask her to the most important social occasion in Nairobi, the Hunt Club Ball. Just as he is ready to make his move, his childhood rival drives up in his flashy car, wearing his expensive clothes, smiling that white toothed smile and in general being everything Mr. Malik is not. Naturally, the suave and sophisticated Harry Khan decides that he will ask Rose to the Ball. Thus begins a competition, a gentleman’s agreement: whoever spots the largest number of bird species in one week’s time will earn the right to escort the lady to the dance.
Fans of Alexander McCall-Smith’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency should also enjoy this gentle, romantic tale seasoned with humor and a very British sense of social standing and proper behavior. Characters wrestle with very human dilemmas, with temptation and with honor, but most of all, with love and longing. They also hold some surprising secrets, which gives the book depth. You don’t have to know anything about birds (or East Africa, for that matter) to enjoy delightful novel!
