REVIEWS
This Nº1 ladies' detective agency is the first book of a series of many volumes. It was written by Alexander McCall Smith and it is located in Bostwana (Africa).
It is a compelling tale which you can't put down. The book is divided in several chapters, some of them are self-contained, but other are connected in a way.
The central characters in this book are "Precious", "her father" and "Mr J.L.B Matekoni", Precious' best friend.
This is a colourful story which captures reader's attention.
In the opening chapters the writer tells us about the earliest years in Precious' life.
Through the following chapters we discover how Precious becomes an adult and the reasons to open "a detective agency" which she runs successfully.
We know about the different cases she resolves as a detective.
In the closing chapters the writer finishes some of the incomplete stories and we have a happy ending in which Precious accepts Mr J.L.B Matekoni's proposal of marriage.
This novel is easy to read and it is beautifully written. Apart from this, it allows us to know lots of things about the country.
Definitively, this is a bedtime reading which I highly recommend.
Flora Lomener Carmona
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is the firs book of a series whose main character is Mma Ramotswe, the first woman detective in Botswana.
Alexander Mc Call Smith, the author, was born in Zimbabwe and lived in Botswana for a time, it is not strange then, his ability to transmit the scent of Africa to his readers.
When Mma Ramotswe's father dies she inherits a big heard of cattle, the most esteemed good in Africa, but she decides to change her life selling the cattle and setting an unusual business, especially in Africa and especially for a woman: a detective agency. But, she is sure about how she wants her life to be. Her lack of knowledge about detecting is extensively replaced by her wit, intuition, perseverance as well as common sense and willingness to help people.
Among the curious cases she solves successfully in her agency, the story teaches us a lot about Africa and its people: traditions, family relationships, friendship and way of life.
The whole book is written in an understated style that charms and awakes the desire to go to this unknown country.
I strongly recommend reading this delightful book. I am sure it won't deceive anybody, no matter their age.
Luisa García Picazo
There she goes, driving her tiny van, enjoying the pleasures of living in her sunny and friendly country, while she meditates the matters related to her life and her job.
I'm talking about Mma Ramotse, the number one lady detective in Botswana.
McCall Smith brings us a story of a young and innocent girl that confronts the modern Africa reality, sometimes facing good experiences, sometimes bad ones. Experiences that guide her in her growing up, to become finally a mature woman ready to take care of herself.
The reader accompanies Mma Ramotswe on her encounterings and daily issues throughout the main plot which focuses on her life as a detective, although in the meantime one gets gradually a wide-eyed view of her country, the city, the Kalahari desert, the people, the traditions… and the darker aspects too.
The reader finds both real information and fiction entertainment permeated with secrets, friendship, family troubles, death, philosophy, violence, feelings such as disappointment, trust and distrust, and of course surprises and love.
Hop on the tiny white van and get hooked with this kindly and beautifully written story, have a bush tea and enjoy.
Laura del Campo Montes
The book describes the life of a woman born in Botswana during the1960s and particularly how, after her father's death, she decides to start a new business which turns out to be the first detective agency managed by a woman in the whole country. The services of Precious Ramotse, the main character, will son be requested by many people, from local friends to very important business men.
The book is well written and throughout the first chapters, the author accomplishes the challenging task of introducing the reader to the generally unknown, but quite interesting though, world of Africa.
Moreover, the characters and, particularly dialogues between them exhibit really good writing skills. Nevertheless, it must also be said that sometimes the plot lacks some realism and seems to be quite
artificial though. Finally, I would like to point out that, even though women are quite discriminated inside Africa's society, the whole story line is biased against men.
Summing up, the present book is a really good book to be read by children or English language students looking for an enjoyable way to improve their writing skills while learning something new about life, Africa and human relationships.
Daniel Hernández Lobato