 | The Miracle at Speedy Motors: The New Novel in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency)
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 2008-11-18 - Of Human Dignity
These books by McCall Smith are those that I read when the world gets me down. I love Mme Ramotswe, her ability to find the good in people and positive in situations. She loves her country (Botswana), her husband, and her children. As a "traditional" woman, she is unfettered by her bulk, enjoying the bright patterns of her native land. Although the plots are often skimpy, the people are delightful, and I love reading about an African nation that has a democratic government and healthy children.
2008-10-11 - Endearing
This is the next little episode in the series of books, set in Botswana, and starring Mma Precious Ramotswe. It's difficult to explain to people who haven't met Mma Ramotswe just how these simple tales affect the reader and draw one into such a feeling of closeness and affection that one has for this big hearted, kind and lovable lady who describes herself as being of "traditional build" for an African lady. Mma's assistant Private Detective at the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, Grace Kakutsi, is engeged to marry the owner of a prosperous store and is thrilled when he buys a bed for them to use after their marriage. It's a huge bed with a headboard made of red velvet in the shape of a heart. Grace is unable to even get it into her tiny house and so leaves it outside until other arrangements can be made. Unfortunately, the drought breaks and the bed is totally ruined by the torrential rain so when Grace manages to find a replacement, she is tortured by doubts as to whether or not she should confess her carelessness to her fiance. One of the cases the Agency is handling at the moment is one where a young woman is trying to find any living relative. These stories seem too simple to be of any interest but are filled with such warmth and love that I cannot wait for the next to be written!
 2008-09-18 - Another hit for Alexander McCall Smith
This is another hit for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Botswana, Africa. The book flows smoothly and is enjoyable to read. I could not put it down. Charming, as always. I have learned a lot about African life and different kinds of tea from this series.
2008-09-17 - One of the better of the series
Some of these books feel as if the author has turned the crank on his machine and produced the requisite 200 pages. Here we find the humor and the good hearted relationships established in the first of the series. Many of the small characters are given bigger roles here and actually a significant part of the story: Mr. Polopetsi has an important role and even Charlie's obsession with women turns to good stead.
Even though each of the children has an important event, the main family is still stiff and formal -- addressing each by formal names, while Mma Makutsi and her fiancé use their first names. Even though Mma Ramotswe finally refers to herself as "Mommy" in trying to comfort her adopted son, that never recurs. And you never forget they're adopted.
The main relationship is between the two women of the agency and that's particularly close here.
Apart from my complaints, the book is delightful. There are problems to be solved here and bizarre characters and great humor to be found in the solution. Don't miss the satire on Hollywood chase scenes -- played out in the most absurd of situations. Picture the scene as you read!
There is wisdom and kindness in Mma Ramotswe's discussions and Mma Makutsi even rises to acknowledge that she, herself, has not this wisdom -- although she recognizes it. This book has the humor and richness of the better books of the series with enough plot to keep it going.
In this series, there is little character or relationship development. Each book is an escapist entertainment using detective cases for much of the plot and family problems for the rest. The great value is the warmth of the relationships, the humor, and the particular -- or particular -- accent of the African style.
2008-09-06 - Best in series
I have read and loved the entire series of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. That said this one is my favorite. Each book in the series is a mini vacation to a simpler more innocent time in the beautiful African setting. Of all of the qualities that make this series so enjoyable, I think Alexander McCall Smith has captured them best in this book.I don't want this journey to end.
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