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My Books
This is my book collection. If you know how to reach me and would like to borrow a book don't hesitate to send me an e-mail.
This collection contains 9 books and was last updated on 13 Sep 2006.
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Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Abacus
Genre: Fiction
Release: 2003 My Rating:
Summary: We loved this book, the first of Alexander McCall Smith's that we have read. It is an intriguing story, it convincingly reflects life in post-colonial Africa seen as from an African point of view, and has a marvellous cast of characters. A series of sub-plots are cleverly woven into the story which revolves around a decade-old disappearance of a white voluntary worker. Morality and truth as virtues, and conversely the "crimes" of immorality are interestingly explored and there are tiny touches of prejudice and politics which serve as little reaches for reality in an almost magical setting. We both re-read the book as soon as we had finished it the first time! We look forward to reading more from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency!
Publisher: Abacus
Genre: Fiction
Release: 2003 My Rating:
Summary: We loved this book, the first of Alexander McCall Smith's that we have read. It is an intriguing story, it convincingly reflects life in post-colonial Africa seen as from an African point of view, and has a marvellous cast of characters. A series of sub-plots are cleverly woven into the story which revolves around a decade-old disappearance of a white voluntary worker. Morality and truth as virtues, and conversely the "crimes" of immorality are interestingly explored and there are tiny touches of prejudice and politics which serve as little reaches for reality in an almost magical setting. We both re-read the book as soon as we had finished it the first time! We look forward to reading more from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency!
Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Anchor
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Release: 2003 My Rating:
Summary: Penzler Pick, July 2001: Working in a mystery tradition that will cause genre aficionados to think of such classic sleuths as Melville Davisson Post's Uncle Abner or Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee, Alexander McCall Smith creates an African detective, Precious Ramotswe, who's their full-fledged heir.
It's the detective as folk hero, solving crimes through an innate, self-possessed wisdom that, combined with an understanding of human nature, invariably penetrates into the heart of a puzzle. If Miss Marple were fat and jolly and lived in Botswana--and decided to go against any conventional notion of what an unmarried woman should do, spending the money she got from selling her late father's cattle to set up a Ladies' Detective Agency--then you have an idea of how Precious sets herself up as her country's first female detective. Once the clients start showing up on her doorstep, Precious enjoys a pleasingly successful series of cases.
But the edge of the Kalahari is not St. Mary Mead, and the sign Precious orders, painted in brilliant colors, is anything but discreet. Pointing in the direction of the small building she had purchased to house her new business, it reads "THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY. FOR ALL CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS AND ENQUIRIES. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED FOR ALL PARTIES. UNDER PERSONAL MANAGEMENT."
The solutions she comes up with, whether in the case of the clinic doctor with two quite different personalities (depending on the day of the week), or the man who had joined a Christian sect and seemingly vanished, or the kidnapped boy whose bones may or may not be those in a witch doctor's magic kit, are all sensible, logical, and satisfying. Smith's gently ironic tone is full of good humor towards his lively, intelligent heroine and towards her fellow Africans, who live their lives with dignity and with cautious acceptance of the confusions to which the world submits them. Precious Ramotswe is a remarkable creation, and "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" well deserves the praise it received from London's "Times Literary Supplement". I look forward with great eagerness to the upcoming books featuring the memorable Miss Ramotswe, "Tears of the Giraffe" and "Morality for Beautiful Girls", soon to be available in the U.S. "--Otto Penzler"
Publisher: Anchor
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Release: 2003 My Rating:
Summary: Penzler Pick, July 2001: Working in a mystery tradition that will cause genre aficionados to think of such classic sleuths as Melville Davisson Post's Uncle Abner or Robert van Gulik's Judge Dee, Alexander McCall Smith creates an African detective, Precious Ramotswe, who's their full-fledged heir.
It's the detective as folk hero, solving crimes through an innate, self-possessed wisdom that, combined with an understanding of human nature, invariably penetrates into the heart of a puzzle. If Miss Marple were fat and jolly and lived in Botswana--and decided to go against any conventional notion of what an unmarried woman should do, spending the money she got from selling her late father's cattle to set up a Ladies' Detective Agency--then you have an idea of how Precious sets herself up as her country's first female detective. Once the clients start showing up on her doorstep, Precious enjoys a pleasingly successful series of cases.
But the edge of the Kalahari is not St. Mary Mead, and the sign Precious orders, painted in brilliant colors, is anything but discreet. Pointing in the direction of the small building she had purchased to house her new business, it reads "THE NO. 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY. FOR ALL CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS AND ENQUIRIES. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED FOR ALL PARTIES. UNDER PERSONAL MANAGEMENT."
The solutions she comes up with, whether in the case of the clinic doctor with two quite different personalities (depending on the day of the week), or the man who had joined a Christian sect and seemingly vanished, or the kidnapped boy whose bones may or may not be those in a witch doctor's magic kit, are all sensible, logical, and satisfying. Smith's gently ironic tone is full of good humor towards his lively, intelligent heroine and towards her fellow Africans, who live their lives with dignity and with cautious acceptance of the confusions to which the world submits them. Precious Ramotswe is a remarkable creation, and "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" well deserves the praise it received from London's "Times Literary Supplement". I look forward with great eagerness to the upcoming books featuring the memorable Miss Ramotswe, "Tears of the Giraffe" and "Morality for Beautiful Girls", soon to be available in the U.S. "--Otto Penzler"
Author: Alexander Mccall Smith
Publisher: Abacus
Genre: Fiction
Release: 2004 My Rating:
Summary: "The Full Cupboard of Life: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is the fifth installment of Alexander McCall Smith's outstanding series about Mma. Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and perhaps the only female detective in all of Africa, with the exception of her assistant, Mma Makutsi. Mma Ramotswe's is an extremely intelligent woman who possesses a keen perception of the human character. She is also a good person with a kind heart and a strong set of values. Most inspiring, however, is her deep and abiding love for Africa, and for Botswana and its people in particular. "They are my people, my brothers and sisters. It is my duty to help them to solve the mysteries of their lives. I strongly suggest that any potential reader who has not already been introduced to our protagonist, read "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" and other prior books in the series. While not absolutely necessary, it will certainly enhance your experience with Mma Ramotswe and her country.
Fortunately Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Gaborone's best mechanic, are still planning to wed and both are in good health, as are their two adopted children. Alas, their wedding date has still not been set. And if I am anxious about their very prolonged engagement, well imagine how the lady involved with the procrastinating fiance feels. She doesn't want to pressure him, however, as he has enough problems to contend with at the moment. He is concerned about getting out of a promise to make a parachute jump, which Mma Potokwani finagled him into, in the name of charity. And he is also being distracted by a predicament with a business rival at First Class Motors.
Case-wise, a wealthy beauty salon entrepreneur hires Mma Ramotswe to discover which of her many suitors are after her considerable fortune, and what their true motives for matrimony are. And assistant detective Makutsi's 'Kalahari Typing School for Men' is doing so well, she can afford to move...to a house with running water.
As most readers of the series know by now, this is not an ordinary crime novel/police procedural. Nor is it an edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller. Mma. Ramotswe is a private detective, but she manages to solve mysteries without the use of guns and violence, preferring to use unorthodox solutions instead.
The narrative is written simply, in a clear, uncluttered style. And our Number One Detective is a pure delight, as are the people she deals with, and their everyday problems which she helps them resolve.
JANA
Publisher: Abacus
Genre: Fiction
Release: 2004 My Rating:
Summary: "The Full Cupboard of Life: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is the fifth installment of Alexander McCall Smith's outstanding series about Mma. Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and perhaps the only female detective in all of Africa, with the exception of her assistant, Mma Makutsi. Mma Ramotswe's is an extremely intelligent woman who possesses a keen perception of the human character. She is also a good person with a kind heart and a strong set of values. Most inspiring, however, is her deep and abiding love for Africa, and for Botswana and its people in particular. "They are my people, my brothers and sisters. It is my duty to help them to solve the mysteries of their lives. I strongly suggest that any potential reader who has not already been introduced to our protagonist, read "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" and other prior books in the series. While not absolutely necessary, it will certainly enhance your experience with Mma Ramotswe and her country.
Fortunately Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Gaborone's best mechanic, are still planning to wed and both are in good health, as are their two adopted children. Alas, their wedding date has still not been set. And if I am anxious about their very prolonged engagement, well imagine how the lady involved with the procrastinating fiance feels. She doesn't want to pressure him, however, as he has enough problems to contend with at the moment. He is concerned about getting out of a promise to make a parachute jump, which Mma Potokwani finagled him into, in the name of charity. And he is also being distracted by a predicament with a business rival at First Class Motors.
Case-wise, a wealthy beauty salon entrepreneur hires Mma Ramotswe to discover which of her many suitors are after her considerable fortune, and what their true motives for matrimony are. And assistant detective Makutsi's 'Kalahari Typing School for Men' is doing so well, she can afford to move...to a house with running water.
As most readers of the series know by now, this is not an ordinary crime novel/police procedural. Nor is it an edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller. Mma. Ramotswe is a private detective, but she manages to solve mysteries without the use of guns and violence, preferring to use unorthodox solutions instead.
The narrative is written simply, in a clear, uncluttered style. And our Number One Detective is a pure delight, as are the people she deals with, and their everyday problems which she helps them resolve.
JANA