The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (novel)
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| The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency | |
 recent audio edition cover |
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| Author | Alexander McCall Smith |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Language | English |
| Series | The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series |
| Genre(s) | Detective, Mystery novel |
| Publisher | Polygon |
| Publication date | 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 |
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is the first of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith, set in Gaborone, Botswana, and featuring the Motswana protagonist Precious Ramotswe.
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[edit] Plot summary
Mma Precious Ramotswe becomes a private detective, the first woman in Botswana to enter that profession, and opens an agency whose name indicates this unique situation. Motivated to help others and to make Botswana a better place, she encounters many dangerous and risky obstacles in the course of her investigations, but succeeds through using her intelligence, courage and instinct. Along with the plot developments, Mma Ramotswe provides observations upon the fine qualities of Botswana and Africa: the culture, traditions, and natural beauties found there, and the inhabitants' pride in their land.
[edit] Themes
[edit] National identity
The African people are proud of their culture and heritage and of the fact that they are born in the African continent. They do not envy other nations for what they have, but on 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 the world simply because he loves his country. And again, in the second chapter, the author states, through Obed’s character, that Precious’ father is proud to be a Motswana because of Botswana's 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] 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 emotion 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.
[edit] Film, television, and theatrical adaptations
An adaptation for the screen The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency was made in 2007, directed by Anthony Minghella (who also co-wrote the screenplay, with Richard Curtis. A movie for TV made jointly by the BBC, HBO and some other production companies, it was broadcast in the UK on BBC1 television on Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008.
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