April 17 . . . Mark it on your calendars!
That is the day that the next installment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series will be released:
In Good Husband, Smith once again combines a loving depiction of ordinary life in modern Botswana with memorable characters and an engaging mystery in the eighth installment in his beloved No. 1 Ladies Detective series (after Blue Shoes and Happiness). Dr. Cronje, who's half Xhosa and half Afrikaner, consults Smith's sleuth, the gentle and insightful Precious Ramotswe, because patients at his hospital who have occupied a particular bed have been dying mysteriously at the same time of day. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe's recently engaged assistant, Grace Makutsi, threatens to break their longstanding association. Mma Ramotswe must adjust their relationship in order to retain Mma Makutsi's services. The author's subtlety of touch and humane portrayal of figures at all levels of society will continue to win him new readers even as his deepening of the ties binding the main figures will satisfy those who have followed the lady detectives from their first recorded case.
I can't say enough about these gentle, life affirming books that focus on the good in human nature. I highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys a good read, and would urge new readers to start with the debut - "The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency", and to read them in order.
Fans of these books range from First Lady Laura Bush to Flea, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Critics across the country also rave:
"Enchanting . . . An inspiration to us all. . . The sweet, chuckling voice of Precious Ramotswe falls gentle on the ear." –The New York Times Book Review
"Beautiful in spirit . . . Botswana and its way of life are described in exquisite detail . . . Delightful . . . Positively uplifting." –Winston-Salem Journal
"What a treat to discover . . . Brims with good humor and compassion." –Entertainment Weekly
"Utterly charming and compulsively readable." –Newsweek
"Endearing, amusing . . . Sparkles with African sunshine and wit."–The Dallas Morning News
"Smart and sassy [with] the power to amuse or shock or touch the heart, sometimes all at once." –Los Angeles Times
"McCall Smith’s simple, sweet descriptions of everyday pleasures–a cup of tea, walking around one’s garden–are enticing." –The Boston Globe
McCall Smith also writes 3 or 4 other series of books - 2 of which I read - - the Isabel Dalhousie Philosophy Club books and 44 Scotland Street books. Both series are set in Edinburgh, one of my favorite places. Both series are good, though neither reaches the heights of No. 1 Ladies . . . .
If I can introduce one person to Mma. Ramotswe and her friends, I will consider myself to have done some good in the world this week.
posted by Diane at 1:55 PM
8 Comments:
ok, if Laura Bush is reading this, is it because she has a fantasy of having a good husband? Sorry, I couldn't help it.
Good review--but I'm confused on the setting. Are these books set in Scotland or S. Africa?
sage - the No.1 Ladies Books are in Botswana, and the Philosophy Club and 44 Scotland books are in Edinburgh
oh, and as to Laura - wouldn't you want to escape from the real world?
Oooh, I'm always on the lookout for a good book series I can get into. I was a little hesitant when you said Laura Bush, but then intrigued when you mentioned Flea. After I finish "Circle of Friends" I'll make sure to check these bad boys out.
mishy - all 3 are good series, but the No. 1 Ladies is my favorite!
didn't mean to throw you off with the Laura reference - just meant to show how wide an appeal they have - and - she was a librarian!
There is no pleasure quite like a book and a cup 'o tea.
got to start reading more books. can't remember when i last did.
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