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'Forget the library - the body is in the mud hut. An African Marple created by a Scottish law lecturer' Stephen McGinty, S. TIMES * 'This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time' Anthony Daniels, S. TEL. * 'Highly amusing, intelligent and heart-warming' SCOTLAND ON S. * 'McCall Smith is a natural born storyteller, filling his prose with rhythm and repetition...Charming, quirky and timeless' SCOT. ON S.
Anthony Daniels, The Sunday Telegraph
This is art that conceals art. I haven't read anything with such unalloyed pleasure for a long time.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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First Sentence
Mma Ramotswe, the daughter of the late Obed Ramotswe of Mochudi, near Gaborone, Botswana, Africa, was the announced fiancee of Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, son of the late Pumphamilitse Matekoni, of Tlokweng, peasant farmer and latterly chief caretaker of the Railway Head Office. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
Mma Ramotswe, the daughter of the late Obed Ramotswe of Mochudi, near Gaborone, Botswana, Africa, was the announced fiancee of Mr J. L. B. Matekoni, son of the late Pumphamilitse Matekoni, of Tlokweng, peasant farmer and latterly chief caretaker of the Railway Head Office. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Morality for Beautiful Girls is the third novel in the series about Precious Ramotswe and her detective agency in Botswana, and covers the period of one month after the events in Tears of the Giraffe. Be sure to read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Tears of the Giraffe before this book, or you will probably think this story is a three star effort. Many reviews describe these books as mysteries . . . but they are really novels about a woman who sometimes solves problems for people. Since the first book, the "mysteries" have not been very mysterious, and the appeal of the books lies far apart from the mysteries.
In Morality for Beautiful Girls, Alexander McCall Smith takes a thorough look at the pros and cons of the old communal values found in Botswana's villages compared to the new morality of the urbanizing young in that country. In the process, Mr. Smith makes a powerful case for grafting onto the old values an appreciation for ingenuity, education, effort, organization and courage while dismissing most of the new morality as misinformed at best, and harmful at worst. In so doing, he eloquently describes the potential benefits of a matriarchic society led by determined, talented women who break down traditional boundaries that limit both men and women.
As the story opens, Precious realizes that her concept of helping all those who need her help, regardless of ability to pay, is going to leave the detective agency in perpetual financial trouble. Having agreed to marry Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, who runs a prosperous car repair business, Precious looks at ways to reduce her costs by sharing their resources. Her conclusion: She should move the detective agency to the garage, share Mma Makutsi's time and salary with the garage, and rent out the building she has been using for the agency. All seems to be off to a good start when Mr Matekoni begins acting strangely. With her burgeoning responsibilities and plans, Precious has just too much to do. So she delegates as many items on her "to do" list as possible to others, and gets going on what only she can do. It's like reading a lesson in time management.
During the course of the story, you will meet another unusual youngster who ends up at the orphanage. Precious is caught up in a case of potential poisoning at the behest of a powerful government official who is also a wealthy and well-connected tribal member. Although Precious doesn't want to take on the case, the official and Mma Makutsi bully her into it. While she's away on the case, Mma Makutsi proves to have even more talents than anyone could have expected from either her degree or her experience. In the process, she brings in a major case which she solves on her own involving four potential beauty contest winners.
In the first half of the book, the distress that Precious and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni are experiencing is so palpable that I found myself feeling more and more upset as I read the story. Seldom does "light" fiction affect me that way. I can only ascribe the intensity of my reactions to the quality of the writing and the exceptional care with which the characters have been developed into people for whom anyone would feel great sympathy and empathy. The book ends up leaving some mysteries unsolved, and I found myself wishing that I had a copy of the next book with me so that I could read what happened right away.
As I finished the story, I found myself wondering more about Botswana and why people love it there so much. I recently began working with a businessman in Botswana, and he has promised to help me understand more about that intriguing country. I look forward to being his student in this, as I have enjoyed being a reader of these fine novels.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read three of the Ladies Detective Agency books now and I felt a bit disappointed after this one. I loved the first book in the series and enjoyed tears of a giraffe, but I thought this book was a bit predictable and did not have quite enough mystery and plot to keep it going at an acceptable pace.
It is not a bad book, but if you are considering buying this series of novels i'd say buy the other two i mentioned before this one.
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You have to read number one Ladies Detective Agency and then Tears of the Giraffe to get the best out of this cracking book. Morality for Beautiful Girls is a bitter-sweet read that keeps you engaged throughout. This time, while the excellent and enormous central character Precious Ramotswe continues to bloom in her idiosyncratic way, other well-drawn people come to the fore, not least her deputy, her newly extended family and Mr JL Matekoni. Of course, Botswana itself carries on being almost a tangible character. The universal wisdom, gentle humour and tinges of sadness make this a book that you will finish all too soon.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another wonderful book
Evocative of the kind of life we would all love,The story lines are simple but beautifully told, Makes one long to see Botswana.
Published 1 month ago by D. J. Elmer
Feeds the hunger
By this, the third book in the series, you find yourself drawn into the lives of Mme Ramotswe and her friends, and hungry to learn more. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Park
Great series
Fantastic series. I have now read all the books in the series and cannot fault any of them. Looking forward to some more being written - I hope.
Published 9 months ago by Mrs. J. A. BYRNE
Great!!!!
Perfect condition, great price and arrived speedily. The book was a great read also.So overall very happy :D!! Thank you!
Published 11 months ago by H,I.
McCall Smith books review
These books were a gift for my Mother who has advised they are different from the TV series but fantastic and really give a feel of the settings and characters from the writing.
Published 13 months ago by Charlie Wales
Brilliant... BUT...
If you're considering listening to this book rather than reading it, Adjoa Andoh's recording is without question the definitive version. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Andrew Price
Morality for beautiful girls.
Bought this for my wife who is an avid reader - no violence - no stress - she thought this was an excellent read. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. G. H. Weeks
Great service & fantastic product
Wonderful product as described, very fast transaction - would definitely use supplier again. Many thanks. Would highly recommend
Published on 10 Jan 2010 by M. A. Williams
Morality for Beautiful Girls
This book was a fantastic bargain-low price, brand new (in perfect condition) and no postage to pay.
Published on 23 July 2009 by Gwyn
Morality for Beautiful Girls
Really good read but must be read in the correct order of the series of books entilted No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency to get the most out of it. Read more
Published on 11 July 2009 by Polly
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