Mma Precious Ramotswe and associates strike again! Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors to date. I love all his books generally, and the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series specifically. I always return to this series when in need of a feel-good book.
In this 26th book in the series—set in Gaborone, Botswana—Mma Precious Ramotswe and her associates return to us in a new case that challenges the gray cells. Precious Ramotswe and her colleague, Mma Grace Makutsi, must tackle an infidelity case that is more complex than it seems. Meanwhile, Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni, Precious Ramotswe's husband, befriends a man in the auto business who has questionable motives.
I enjoyed the book immensely. While there is a mystery, it isn’t the main focus. The story centers on atmosphere, characters, and emotional dynamics. Rather than a thriller, this is a loving and tender portrait of one country in Africa, where small anecdotes come together to form an entertaining and heartwarming story.
The latest entry is a breath of fresh air from the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. And Mma Ramotswe teaches us what self-acceptance is. Our detective walks proudly with her generous body measurements—or, in her own words, she is a very traditionally built lady. I love her optimism and kindness and her ability to see the good in everyone, even those who don’t deserve it. She solves mysteries using simple logic and intuition without sophisticated equipment.
She is joined by clever but highly temperamental Mma Grace Makutsi, and part-time assistant Charlie. And there is her friend, Mma Potokwani, the matron of the orphanage, whom one can’t help but admire. We all need friends like her! I love Charlie’s new maturity, Grace’s new inventive titles and talking shoes, Mma Potokwani’s famous fruitcake, and Precious’s Redbush tea.
Speaking of characters, Botswana is another character—with its old ways and traditions, a place where everyone has some relatives in common. The Africa described here is changing; young people are adopting new values, but it remains tolerant and bound by a brotherhood that makes people happy with what they have. There is a feeling that everyone cares about others and that they can ask for help anywhere—and even receive it. It is glorified Africa in all its glory and humanity.
It is a book full of the wisdom of life and love of man, alongside personal stories. This whole book is like a kind of bow to Africa from a sympathetic human perspective, with a longing for a world of “old values” that the West has abandoned and forgotten. A wonderful story to convey the people, the simple and obvious human insights that are always good to remember— the good, the bad, family time, and more.
It is a slower, slice-of-life type story. There are lessons to be learned, reflections to contemplate, friendships to be made. I could imagine myself drinking a steaming cup of Redbush tea with Ramotswe, eating the famous fruitcake while enjoying smelling the roses, and discussing life choices with Grace’s shoes.
The book can be read on its own; the author recaps the characters’ backgrounds and history. You would better appreciate the vibes, though, if you read it in order. And this is a series you wouldn’t want to miss. As you’ve figured out, I loved the book and highly recommend it. This is a great addition to the series, and I can hardly wait for the next one.
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* For more info about the book: "In the Time of Five Pumpkins" by Alexander McCall Smith
No comments:
Post a Comment