Categories: book-review
Tags: book review
Date: 01 April 2009 20:39:20
It seems there is a bit of a No.1 Ladies Detective Agency thing going on on the wibsite at the moment, with both Auntie Doris and Ian reviewing books in the series this week. So here I am also on the same bandwagon, with the second book in the series, "Tears of the Giraffe". I bought the first 3 books in the series several years ago (as attested by the £4.99 price-tag!), but had only got round to reading the first one, the eponymous "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency", before now. But I picked this up at the weekend as I was in need of a quick, light read and knew that this wouldn't disappoint. I must say that I agree with both Auntie Doris and Ian that the best thing for me about these books is not so much the stories about the cases Mma Ramotswe is investigating, but more the evocation of the everyday life of the characters. I know that some people have criticised the books for being a romanticised view and not realistic in its portrayal of life in Botswana, but hello! they're fiction, designed as far as I can see for a bit of gentle escapism, and I love the world that they evoke, whilst being well aware that it's not earth-shattering realism. The odd mention of "the disease" (ie HIV-AIDS) and references to the conflict in neighbouring Zimbabwe root it in reality without that taking over. I have to say, I just really really like the characters - Mma Ramotswe of course, but I think that my absolute favourite is rapidly becoming Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, who in this book has just become Mma Ramotswe's fiance. He is so lovely, and kind, and diligent, and perhaps slightly hapless, but with such a good heart how could you not like him? This is a perfect read to get you into a good, mellow mood, in my opinion.
I have seen another in the series in the charity shop, and also "44 Scotland Street", which is part of another series by the same author which I might try and get into. Though I guess at some point I need to get back to work-related reading (sigh).