McCall Smith has been criticised for presenting a patronising, condescending picture of Africa and its people. "He looked at her in the darkness, at this woman who was everything to him - mother, Africa, wisdom, understanding, good things to eat, pumpkins, chicken, the smell of sweet cattle breath, the white sky across the endless, endless bush, and the giraffe that cried, giving its tears for women to daub on their baskets O Botswana, my country, my place." This, to me, is just as we should all describe it: rooted in all that we do and all that we are. Even more refreshing was the way in which McCall describes love in terms of all our senses and with reference to everything in our daily lives. Revenge and retribution are not themes of The No1 Ladies' Detective Agency - no one dies a horrible death, people are not persecuted for their sins - but reconciliation, understanding, honour and justice are real, running issues. The diversionary chapter in which Obed Ramotswe tells the story of his life working in South African mines I found sad but beautiful. I imagine this was deliberate Precious Ramotswe is not a woman in a hurry, just as Africa, in McCall's vision, should not be a continent in a hurry and I did not mind it at all.
All the various plot threads resolve themselves by the end, but there is a fair amount of meandering along the way. Mr Patel, for example, the wealthy Indian with the wayward daughter, has an over the top house decorated in "Delhi Rococco" style I loved that! Structurally the book is. McCall's descriptions of his host of supporting characters are, unerringly, right on the button. There is also a gentle, but sharply observed flow of dry humour. There are some beautiful descriptions of Africa and its vast, often empty expanses. McCall Smith's writing is fluid, accessible and highly evocative. Expect a sweet, heart-warming story about a wise, kind, sensible woman. With her minimal practical resources and her infinite stores of wisdom and keen perception, she sets out to solve the cases of the missing boy, the missing husband, the stolen car, the wayward daughter and - her very first case - the father impostor.ĭo not expect a twisting, turning mystery story. An ample woman - "Hey fat lady, what are you doing sitting beneath that tree?" - Precious Ramotswe has much experience in life, a keen intelligence and an irrepressible desire to help people and to do good.
Unambitious this may seem but the real asset to Mma Ramotswe's detective agency is Mma Ramotswe herself. Its assets are modest: an office an old white van two desks two chairs a telephone and an underworked secretary. Precious sets up the very first ladies' private detective agency in Botswana. Mma Ramotswe's business is not exactly the one her father had imagined, though. When her father dies, she does as he has asked - as any good daughter would - and sets up a business.
Precious Ramotswe would like to be the Miss Marple of the African continent. It may lack bite for some but would be perfect for younger readers beginning to make the leap into adult fiction. Reading it is a very pleasant way of spending an afternoon. McCall Smith makes serious points with an admirable lightness of touch and without a hint of lecture. It is not a challenging read but it is an uplifting one. Summary: The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a sweet book with engaging characters.
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