Scheherazade
12-09-2008, 06:43 AM
I picked up The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency because I needed something short and "easy" to read after finishing A Suitable Boy.
As the title suggests, it is a about a female detective but you might like to put your expectations aside after that point onwards because it is not about tough, big haired, leather pants wearing athletic ladies "kicking some criminal butts" (sorry, guys!). The book's heroine is Mma Ramotswe, who is an over weight, almost middle aged Botswanan lady, who decides to open a detective agency to help mostly other Botswanan ladies, upon inheriting some money from her father.
The "tales" told by Smith are heart-warming, interesting and almost philosophical at times (not "my kung-fu is better than yours" type, though). It is refreshing to read something about Africa which does not make racism or civil unrest its centre piece and concentrate on the "human" element, which exists everywhere regardless of one's geographical location. However, the African elements introduced are charming and leave you longing for more.
An excellent book for a lazy afternoon or even for a busy one!
8/10 KitKats!
As the title suggests, it is a about a female detective but you might like to put your expectations aside after that point onwards because it is not about tough, big haired, leather pants wearing athletic ladies "kicking some criminal butts" (sorry, guys!). The book's heroine is Mma Ramotswe, who is an over weight, almost middle aged Botswanan lady, who decides to open a detective agency to help mostly other Botswanan ladies, upon inheriting some money from her father.
The "tales" told by Smith are heart-warming, interesting and almost philosophical at times (not "my kung-fu is better than yours" type, though). It is refreshing to read something about Africa which does not make racism or civil unrest its centre piece and concentrate on the "human" element, which exists everywhere regardless of one's geographical location. However, the African elements introduced are charming and leave you longing for more.
An excellent book for a lazy afternoon or even for a busy one!
8/10 KitKats!