Nowadays it is very common to write works of fiction and set it in exotic locales. This book, which I am reviewing, is a little bit dated. It was released in 1999 and was a Booker judge favourite. The book is called “The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” and is written by Alexander McCall Smith. It is set in a somewhat modern Africa. Well, it does not depict Africa as seen in Blood Diamond. Awww...I can sense the disappointment already!! Face it, we all like a little blood and guts, don’t we??
Well the book is a remarkably good read. I had this book for around a month and I read it just 3 days back. Thought it would be one of those boring ass books that are a dime a dozen these days. I was pleasantly surprised when to the contrary the book turned out to be a very charming read.
In Botswana, which is referred to in the book as being the most peaceful country in the whole of Africa, people go about their own business until Precious Ramotsawe, the protagonist [a fat African lady] sets up a detective agency, the only one of its kind in Africa, by selling off her inheritance i.e. a cattle herd. When the book starts, the characterisation is done at a very languid pace and slowly you are brought up to speed about the protagonist’s life, her father and the reasons behind her running a detective agency. The plot then plunges into the cases she helps solve. There is a major case of the missing kid which underlines the plot with many interesting short cases thrown in. Mind you, the protagonist is no Sherlock Holmes and in many cases it is just her luck that helps her to solve cases, but the book is special for the feel-good factor that is associated with simple stories told very nicely. The author doesn’t go and make the book complicated by burdening the plot wantonly with twists and the like. Trust me you will like this book for its simplicity. The characters are brilliant in the sense that they portray Africa very convincingly and are immediately endearing to the reader. The author has a very sly sense of humour which he uses very well in many instances. There have been a number of sequels released after this book. Though I cannot vouch for those but then if this book is anything to go by, they may be good too. Grab a copy of this book if you like a relaxed read with your coffee/tea or whatever!!
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Posts: 1
Reply #1 on : Wed March 17, 2010, 20:17:59