Alexander McCall Smith: The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

[Stewart]

Cripes, Stewart, they do things differently there, they talk differently there, and they have different values.

Who is they?

So what if the characters don't indulge in the navel-gazing and money-grubbing that Westerners tend to do-I don't think that lessens the impact of the books at all.

I'm not interested in money-grubbing. I'm let down that there was no conflict. When accused with a crime they just put their hands up, say "it's a fair cop", and are happy to admit it. So, in all reality, it's a series of unconnected cases where no detection is needed. I don't wonder how the character is going to solve the next one because I know the author has already solved it for her.

 

[Miss Shelf]

"they" are the characters.

and as for your assertion that there's no conflict, that's the point! That's what makes these books so different from the tired genre. I don't think they can be properly categortized in the mystery genre, because there's not really a mystery to solve, I think we're meant more to enjoy how she goes about solving her cases than the actual resolution of the cases.

I think these books are more about people and how they interact, than they are about detection.

 

[StillILearn]

I have read them all so far.

Usually I turn to them when life is a bit hectic and I need something light and gentle.

I also like to read them on a plane as I find it hard to concentrate and these are very easy to drift from and come back a few minutes later.

I love them for their simplicity and they certainly have a place on my bookshelf.

I've also thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the Mma Ramotswe books, but (and I did try my best), I didn't even finish Portugese Irregular Verbs.

I think what I like so much about Mma Ramotswe and her crew is that they are so cheerfully moral. That is comforting right about now; and the villains aren't all that bad. McCall Smith has found and touched a chord in me.

 

[Stewart]

I think these books are more about people and how they interact, than they are about detection.

But they didn't really interact with each other. "Mma Ramotswe, will you marry me?" She says "no". Five minutes later (or whatever) he asks her again and she says "yes". She's not been through any conflict so what changed her mind?

 

[abecedarian]

But they didn't really interact with each other. "Mma Ramotswe, will you marry me?" She says "no". Five minutes later (or whatever) he asks her again and she says "yes". She's not been through any conflict so what changed her mind?

I must say, I DID do a double-take when I read that! While the glimpse into life in Botswanna was interesting, and I liked the main character's practical manner, I found the lack of action/conflict annoying. I hope the other books are better on that score.

 

[Miss Shelf]

There are many, many books where things do not make sense, and they're praised to the skies (Joyce Carol Oates' books come to mind). Some books don't have to make perfect sense to be enjoyable. Besides, a woman has the right to change her mind without warning.

 

[StillILearn]

There are many, many books where things do not make sense, and they're praised to the skies (Joyce Carol Oates' books come to mind). Some books don't have to make perfect sense to be enjoyable. Besides, a woman has the right to change her mind without warning.

And Precious had very good reasons for not wanting to remarry, just as she had several good reasons for changing her mind and saying "yes". They were all pretty clear to me.

I have sent all of my Mma Ramotswe books on to my sister, so I can't quote passages.

 

[lilbiteb]

I've also thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the Mma Ramotswe books, but (and I did try my best), I didn't even finish Portugese Irregular Verbs.

I gave up on Portugese Irregular Verbs too! It seemed very amaturish compared to the Mma Ramotswe and Mr JLB Matekoni books.

 

[StillILearn]

I just couldn't begin to care about the characters. I deeply care about Mma. Ramotswe and Co.

 

[mehastings]

I think the thing with these books is that they aren't made for everyone. Just because a book is enjoyable doesn't mean that everyone will like it. I like to read a variety of things, but for the most part, the stuff I read is well written, heavy "literature". However, after a few bouts of book burnout I realized sometimes I need something a little easy in the middle.

The lack of action is one of the things I enjoyed when I read this book. It's been months, but if I recall, I read it in one or two sittings after a particularly heartbreaking day at work. I couldn't picture picking up the other book I was reading, so I started this one instead. I loved to read about the trivial things she investigated, and how important they were to her customers.

As far as the bit with the proposal, I'm with Miss Shelf. A woman's got a right to change her mind. It was obvious that she cared a lot for him and I think she suddenly realized not all men are the same and it was silly to stay alone because of something that happened so long ago.

 

[kirsty]

I love the books! When I read them, I feel calm, and they have an old-fashioned, commonsense feel to them. Very basic plots, uplifting and sometimes funny. .

This assessment is spot on. I read the first one on holiday, and it was lovely to read something so light-hearted but enoyable. Mma Ramotswe is a brilliant build character. I felt as though she was a character who was very believable. She is so niave, and I love how the author opens this up to the audience, and presents her in an almost unbelievable setting. Are the 'baddies' in her life really that nice?

I wasn't much for the two I read after the original one, though. They were OK, but not a patch on the first one.

 

[AJ_]

I've only read the first one. I thought it was ok. A pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

 

[Polly Parrot]

Holy batman thread revival and all that...


I've been reading the Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels for a while now, they give me a nice sort of break in between the more serious material I am reading for Uni at the moment.

There aren't any really tough criminals to be found in the novels, nor are any of the crimes all that serious on the grander scale of things. However, the narratives are easy, not very demanding to read, and, for me at least, they show me how not all things need to be doom and gloom.

I've read the first ten of the series so far.

 

[Stephanie Horizons]

I just read the reviews on Amazon and it's seems really interesting. A detective living in the heart of Africa, a normal woman with strong personnality and investigations without all that stuff that we can see on TV... that why I will try it. Thanks