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Review
The No. 1 Ladies (Detective Agency’ )
novels transfer exceptionally well to audio, thanks to Adjoa Andoh's lively, richly humorous narration (The TIMES )
The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision. (Anthony Daniels, Sunday TELEGRAPH )
Adjoa Andoh reads like a dream (GUARDIAN )
novels transfer exceptionally well to audio, thanks to Adjoa Andoh's lively, richly humorous narration (The TIMES )
The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision. (Anthony Daniels, Sunday TELEGRAPH )
Adjoa Andoh reads like a dream (GUARDIAN )
Anthony Daniels, Sunday Telegraph
The author's prose has the merits of simplicity, euphony and precision.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
46 of 46 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Precious Ramotswe inherits her father's cattle herd and sells it to start a new life. The options are limited for a woman in Botswana. She sets out on an uncharted course, opening the first private detective agency run by a woman. At least in Botswana. Mma Ramotswe is a commanding figure. She's stout, observant and reasons with precise logic. She would have made a great politician. Instead, she buys a house, an office, hires a secretary, installs a telephone - and sits down to wait for clients. It seems she's likely to shut it all down within a week.
Instead, clients come calling. The result is a series of vignettes of her clients' problems and their resolutions. There are wandering husbands, rebellious teen-age children [are there any other kind?] and a missing, probably murdered child. Justice, although never mentioned by either McCall Smith or Mma Ramotswe, is an important element throughout these episodes. Justice and the value of being an African. McCall is knowledgeable about Southern Africa and its people. He imparts that understanding with marvelous skill. His Scottish background never intrudes or distracts. Except perhaps in one of Mma's more bizarre cases. The Scots treasure their reputation for producing fine doctors. One of Mma Ramotswe's mysteries is the occasionally inept doctor. It is clearly the highlight of this superb book.
Mma Ramotswe, in establishing her unique agency, might be thought to have shed her personal life. After all, she had a brief, unhappy marriage. Men are to be watched, controlled, and manipulated in ways to prevent their wandering. Yet, as might be expected, there is a man in her town whose value transcends the image dominated by wandering husbands or lovers. He knows her worth and she his, but his stumbling proposal is rebuffed. There's no strain on the friendship, however, and it becomes clear the two will be useful to each other in the future.
McCall Smith has accomplished something very special with this book. It cries out for a sequel [of which there are now four] for many reasons. It certainly shatters the long-standing image of the "detective" novel with its stacks of corpses, inept policemen and implausible characters. Mma Ramotswe is nothing more than a capable woman without special powers. She simply focusses on the problem at hand, keeps distractions at bay and refuses to deal in absolutes. McCall Smith's powers of characterisation, locale and story place him far above the traditional examples of the "mystery" genre. He is compelling reading for anyone. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
102 of 105 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A cracking start to the trilogy (so far - more I hope on the way) sees the establishment of Botswana's number one detective agency for ladies. And if you want to read something happy and uplifting for a change, this will send your spirits soaring. Precious Ramotswe is the complete antithesis of the emaciated, fashion-conscious, glamourous heroine we are often stuck with nowadays. A huge, beautiful, wise and proud woman who does not suffer fools at all - sets out against all odds to use her inheritance to make a real difference to other people's lives. If you think it's going to be a worthy, dull, stick of a read with Africa and Africans portrayed as victims, think again. I haven't laughed so much in a long time and it's rare to read a book with so much humanity.
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Our heroine does not carry a gun, run after suspects in ridiculous pursuits. Rather Precious Ramotswe (or Mma Ramotswe as she's better known)uses her sharp wit and fenale charm to solve whatever case her clients send her way.
Mma Ramotswe is from Botswana, and proud of it. A size 22 and not ashamed of it (and her unfashionable size doesn't stop her from having her fair share of male attention). Neither is she superwoman. Too many European heroines take on home and work, Mma Ramotswe leaves much of the domestic side to her cleaner and enjoys life.
It's a gentle novel, humourous rather than comic. It doesn't shy away from comtemporary African problems (Aids, witchcraft), but they are not central to the story, and the author does not offer solutions, quick fix or otherwise. They are there to reflect the society and culture of Botswana. Rather, the story builds up the character of Mma Ramotswe and shows an African woman cutting a sway in a male orientated society.
Mma Ramotswe is from Botswana, and proud of it. A size 22 and not ashamed of it (and her unfashionable size doesn't stop her from having her fair share of male attention). Neither is she superwoman. Too many European heroines take on home and work, Mma Ramotswe leaves much of the domestic side to her cleaner and enjoys life.
It's a gentle novel, humourous rather than comic. It doesn't shy away from comtemporary African problems (Aids, witchcraft), but they are not central to the story, and the author does not offer solutions, quick fix or otherwise. They are there to reflect the society and culture of Botswana. Rather, the story builds up the character of Mma Ramotswe and shows an African woman cutting a sway in a male orientated society.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good Read
I was pleased to get this from Amazon for my Kindle( I-Pad) as I had been unable to get it from the library and wanted to read this first book in the series. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Sylvia Keen
D.A. Assets: 'a tiny white van, two desks, a chair, a telephone, an...
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Alexander McCall Smith
Advantages: unlimited by age or reading ability
Disadvantages: might be a bit 'too quirky' for... Read more
Alexander McCall Smith
Advantages: unlimited by age or reading ability
Disadvantages: might be a bit 'too quirky' for... Read more
Published 28 days ago by R. Fearnley
Lovely lovely book
This book made me happy! and really what more can you want?!
Its just delightful from start to finish, life affirming and positive and a joy to read.
Its just delightful from start to finish, life affirming and positive and a joy to read.
Published 1 month ago by bigbluecheese
Works on so many levels
I have to confess I'm a bit of a "Johnny-come-lately" by reading the first of this series in 2012. The burning question at the forefront of my mind was, "Is this book worth all the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Daniel Park
Passes the time but that's about it.
Given all the hype I was really looking forward to reading this book but was sorely disappointed.
I found the style of writing simplistic and condescending, rather than... Read more
I found the style of writing simplistic and condescending, rather than... Read more
Published 6 months ago by RegencyAddict
First in the series
Precious Ramotswe decides to set up a detective agency when her father dies and leaves her some money. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Damaskcat
The orinal book
There is little to add to previous reviews as regards contents. I 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
Warm, charming and funny
I enjoyed this book a lot. It is written in a very accessible style, but oozes warmth, charm, humour and a real affection for Africa and Botswana. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Glaucon
Gently humorous, pleasing series
This series is one that I like a lot. It isn't mindless but it is undemanding, moves along in a gently humorous manner and has a very likeable main character in Precious (Mma)... Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. A. Clement
Simply Crime Fiction
Weirdly, I was quite nervous about reading this book. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series has been phenomenally successful and there's nothing worse than feeling like you... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Eileen Furze
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