The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency (book)
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| recent audio edition cover | |
| Author | Alexander McCall Smith |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Language | English |
| Series | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series |
| Genre(s) | Detective, Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Polygon |
| Released | 1999 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 256 pp (first edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-7486-6252-9 (first edition, paperback) |
| Preceded by | - |
| Followed by | Tears Of The Giraffe |
Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is the first novel in the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency book series.
It tells the story of a Botswana woman, by the name of Precious Ramotswe, who becomes a private detective to help others and to make Botswana a better place. During her numerous, thrilling and beautifully described investigations, Mma Ramotswe encounters many dangerous and risky obstacles, however she always triumphs because of her great intelligence, courage and instinct. Nevertheless, the author, through Mma Ramotswe’s character, always takes time to talk about how beautiful, loved and respected Botswana and Africa are. He shows how the inhabitants of the country are proud of it and shows their perception of its culture and traditions. Through the stunning images and animals he also describes how it can be dangerous but nonetheless unique and beautiful in its own way.
[edit] Pride of the habitants
The African people are proud of their country and of the fact that they are born in the African continent. They do not envy other nations for what they have, but one the contrary are satisfied of the landscape their country has to offer. Obed Ramotswe, Precious’s father, says in chapter two: “I told him that if a man is born in a dry place, then although he may dream of rain, he does not want too much, and that he will not mind the sun that beats down and down.” Obed says these things in response to a friend who lives in Zululand, a place of green plains and sea. He tells him that even if his country doesn’t have all this beautiful vegetation, he would not trade it for all the money in world simply because, he loves his country. And again, in the second chapter, they author states, through Obed’s character, that Precious’s father is proud to be a Motswana because of their political stability. He says that they never had political prisoners, that their banks are full of money and that they owe nothing. Alexander McCall Smith describes Mma Ramotswe as an African patriot, who loves Africa "for all its trials".
[edit] Traditions
Moreover, through the beautiful descriptions and images between the characters of this novel, Alexander McCall Smith shows how welcoming and warm-hearted Africans can be. He shows us the African values and traditions of these people. Family values are extremely important to this nation. Even Mma Ramotswe with all her modern views and ideologies, wants to buy a house when she retires, and live with her cousins and loved ones. “She would buy a house, or build one perhaps, and ask some of her cousins to live with her. They would grow melons on the lands and might even buy a small shop in the village…”
Mma Ramotswe is portrayed as someone who loves "all the people that God made", but especially loves the "people who live in this place" and says that “they are my people, my brothers and sisters.”
[edit] Images of animals
Africa is also portrayed by the numerous animals and wild creatures who live there. These animals are described by the author with much passion. He shows how dangerous yet loved and respected they are. For example the cattle in Africa are portrayed with great importance. The author even shows us that they are an important currency for the economy - the more cattle you own, the more power you have. However, Alexander McCall Smith does not hide the fact that Africa is home to many dangerous and some of the most feared creatures. In fact he describes the snakes and the crocodiles with great passion and drama. For example, in the case of the missing husband who had been eaten by a crocodile, the author describes how dangerous Africa can be. There are also many incidents where snakes and their intrusive and sneaky way are mentioned. The author shows these images of Africa and sets a certain setting to all of these incidents to say that even if this continent might be dangerous and wild at times, it is nonetheless unique and majestic.
| Novel series by Alexander McCall Smith | |
| The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series series | |
|---|---|
| The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | Tears Of The Giraffe | Morality for Beautiful Girls | The Kalahari Typing School for Men | The Full Cupboard of Life | In the Company of Cheerful Ladies | Blue Shoes and Happiness | |
| Professor Dr von Igelfeld series | |
| Portuguese Irregular Verbs | The Finer Points of Sausage Dogs | At the Villa of Reduced Circumstances | |
| The Sunday Philosophy Club series | |
| The Sunday Philosophy Club | Friends, Lovers, Chocolate | The Right Attitude to Rain | |
| The 44 Scotland Street series | |
| 44 Scotland Street | Espresso Tales | Love over Scotland | |
