| |  | Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Center Point Large Print
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $28.45
You Save: $1.50 (5%)
New (10) Used (5) from $28.37
Avg. Customer Rating:  106 reviews
Sales Rank: 668418
Format: Large Print
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.8
ISBN: 1585473294
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9781585473298
ASIN: 1585473294
Publication Date: August 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
|
| Customer Reviews:
 This is a great and subtle story July 19, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really am enjoying this series so far. The stories are very simple while at the same time they read as monumentally as end of the world thrillers. It's a real achievement to tell such quiet tales while pulling the reader in and keeping them at the edge of ones seat.
Perhaps the best thing about these #1 Ladies Detective Agency books is plainly how it allows for an outsider, an American, to see Africa through the eyes of one who knows and loves their land. I realized while I was reading these books so far that I have never really thought of Africa in any other light than The Gods Must Be Crazy/Colonial superiority mindset, or through the lens of the evening news. I have long thought that Africa is a never-ending series of disasters akin to one of the levels of hell. Reading such a relentlessly positive and upbeat take on Botswana will surely help change ones opinions of Africa if you have not been there like myself.
At the same time, I have to judge this story on its merits if I am going to be fair with my review. If I were to set this tale in the States for instance, would it be as engaging? I don't think so. I would give the mysteries and stories with in this book only a couple of stars. The originality of the writing and the unique mystery protagonist along with the setting and place on the other hand deserve five stars. So head into this book not expecting Agatha Christy. Instead think of it as if you were reading `A Year in Provance' and that this other travelogue book were laced with an amusing mystery or two.
Enjoy
Had no idea what this book was about July 13, 2005
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I heard the title of this book mentioned several times, so I got it from my library and read it. It took me a while to catch on to the different kind of writing (the author is Scottish from South Africa?) I liked it very much after I got into it. I really like Mme Precious Ramotswe. I do wish the author would come up with nicknames for people like Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. Good story. I'll probably read more.
 Great deal! July 9, 2005
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
I received the book quickly and in great shape. This is the way to purchase books!
You just have to love Mma Precious Ramotswe July 9, 2005
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Alexander McCall Smith has written another delightful episode in the tales of Mma Ramotswe of Botswana and The NO. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.
In this story the main thrust of Mma Ramotswe's detective work is to try and discover information about the disappearance of an American woman's only son. He seemingly just mysteriously went "missing" one day from the agricultural commune where he lived and worked and no one who knew him had any idea where he had gone. They conjectured that maybe wild anmials had dragged him away or that a whirlwind picked him up, but not one person could say for sure. Mma Ramotswe works partly by feeling and intuition and she feels she may be able to discover what occurred all those many years ago just by travelling to the spot and gathering the vibes of the spirits that may still be there. In any event, Mma Ramotswe wants to help the American woman gain some (I really hate this word) closure. Mma Ramotswe has also lost a child and understands the deep heartache such a loss brings.
Interspersed within this story of her detective work is the fact of her romance with kindly gentleman Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and her acceptance of his marriage proposal. Upon her acceptance of this proposal and diamond engagement ring, she doesn't realize that she sets in motion a plan by his maid to do away with her, the woman the maid views as detrimental to her own plans to dominate Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and his household.
Mma Ramotswe also promotes her trusted secretary to the position of Assistant Detective (while still maintaining her duties as secretary) and she begins to shine as an investigator in her own right. Soon she saves the day for her first client.
Add into all of this the fact that Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is coerced into agreeing to adopt two orphans before their wedding without telling Precious and you will find that you will love the characters in this book and anxiously await reading the next one.
I love it July 6, 2005
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
Great reading. It is a fun book that lets you forget your cares and worries for awhile. Very interesting descriptions about Botswana. The main character is known as having a "traditional" figure. I think that means overweight.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
