Tears of the Giraffe (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)
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'I was enchanted by the character of Precious Ramotswe and the sly humour of Alexander McCall Smith's writing, his deft evocation of a culture' - Anthony Minghella 'So elegant and understated is the author's style that the novel seems to transcend age' - Trevor Royle
John Leland, Femaledetective.com
Where 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' was brilliant, 'Tears of the Giraffe', the second in the series is sublime.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
66 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This second entry in Smith's Botswana-set series picks up right where the wonderful The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency left off. Indeed, the two books are utterly seamless, and it'd be a real shame to read this without reading its predecessor first. The book picks up with the engagement of "traditionally built" Precious Ramotswe, Botswana's sole woman detective, to local master mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni. While the structure is the same as the first book—a missing son as the central running mystery, and some smaller cases interspersed—the new couple's relationship is the real focus.
So, while Precious is asked by an American woman to find out what happened to her son, who disappeared from a commune ten years previously, she must also negotiate the pitfalls of setting up house with Mr. Matekoni, the acquisition of an engagement ring, and the dastardly schemes of Mr. Matekoni's nasty housekeeper, and the unexpected addition of two foster children to her household. All of which she does with her keen sense of human nature and wisdom. Her secretary/typist is also given increased attention, allowed to take on the case of a cheating wife all by herself.
Built into the stories are ruminations of the tensions between modernity and traditional values. There are a number of passages that attempt to capture the essence of Africa, and how that noble vision is under constant assault by greed, corruption, and power. The adventures of Precious and her cohort are a warm antidote to the often depressing news that dominates coverage of Africa in the West. Smith writes in a delightfully fluid and simple prose with pacing that makes the book quite difficult to put down. The series thankfully continues with Morality for Beautiful Girls and The Kalahari Typing School For Men, with further volumes to follow, one hopes.
64 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Mma.Ramotswe returns in "Tears of the Giraffe" the second novel about the exploits of "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency". This is an heartwarming pleasurable read.Mma Ramotswe is the only female detective in Botswana, she solves her cases using common sense and a razor sharp intelligence.As Mma. Ramotswe states "Suspicious? Call the No.1 ladies Detective Agency.We find things out...." In this book Precious Ramotswe is engaged, has promoted her secretary to assistant detective (with sucessful results) and has accidentally acquired two children.Each chapter tells us a different tale from the agency and by the end all of the mysteries are solved. I enjoyed this book as much as the first and again it tells us a little more about life in Botswana, a country of tradition and warmth where you may call everyone "brother" or "sister". This is not just a detective story but it is also a voyage through Africa that is told with humour,warmth and great respect for its peoples.I would recommend this book wholeheartedly along with all the others in the series....
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
If you have not read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, I strongly urge you to do so before reading Tears of the Giraffe. Otherwise, this beautiful novel will seem like a four star effort as you fail to appreciate and integrate the background of Precious Ramotswe into your thinking as it was described in the earlier book.
Tears of the Giraffe isn't so much a sequel as a continuation of the events in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. As that book ended, Mma Ramatswe accepted the proposal of Mr J.L.B. Matekoni. In Tears of the Giraffe, the couple decides in which of their houses they will live, picks out a ring and decides about having children. Each event has its unexpected twists . . . including an attempt by Mr Matekoni's maid to derail the marriage.
There is less happening at the detective agency than in the prior story. This book involves solving only two mysteries, a wandering wife and a missing son. Mma Ramatswe learns that her able secretary wants to become a detective, and the savvy head of the agency tries out Mma Makutsi's talents with encouraging results.
Both story lines focus on questions of right and wrong. As a prospective spouse, what are the right reactions to one's fiancé or fiancée? As a detective, how much may one do wrong to avoid greater wrongs? To one's community, what is owed? To one's employees, what opportunities should be opened? In each case, the suggestion is that all responsibilities must be borne . . . and borne bravely . . . but in a way that is tempered with love for one's fellow people.
As with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Africa itself plays a role stronger than any single character in defining what is thought and done. The strong and distinct atmosphere makes the book more enchanting to those who do not know Africa.
The story is strengthened by alternating narrators among many different characters and using lots of dialogue so that each part of the novel is vivid and varied. It's as though six or seven almost unconnected short stories were woven together into a seamless novel. It's an impressive accomplishment.
As I finished the book, I wondered how much better off we all would be if we each took a strong responsibility for all those we meet and touch.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fun
This is a fantastic sequel to the first book that was brilliant. The book picks up from the engagement at the end of the last book and develops their story throughout the book. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Justhavingfun
giratte
as per the previous books i have read in this series this again is a most enjoyable and easy read. i look forward to the next one!
Published 1 month ago by M. Jones
Wonderful environment and lovely character
It is very interesting to know about Botswana, a little country far from me and from local newspapers. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Granmogol
A terrifically warm and comfortable read
Alexander McCall Smith has a real passion for Africa. His books are a deceptively simple example of the true art of authorship, weaving the threads Mme Ramotswe's mundane daily... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel Park
Great story
This is a great story and beautifully read. I have never been to Africa but these audio books really transport me there. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Tilly
Good job!!! Good company!
Thanks!!! Everything was perfect and very quickly!! I'd like to come to your service one day!! I recommend you to my friends!
Published 7 months ago by Zenya
Loved it!
Although I have watched this on TV I had never read the books, until now - and I was not disappointed. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jean
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
Yet another great book from Alexander
I first saw the series on TV and had to buy the books, I love them and they transform your world and take you into the depths of Africa and the lovely people that live there. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Fiona J. A. Boss
A triumph of a second novel--a real pleasure to read
I'd had the first couple of the No1 Ladies Detective Agency books sat on my shelves for what felt like forever before I actually got around to reading them- and now that I have its... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nicola F (Nic)
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