2008-06-08 A Gentle Journey

I came to the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency after having seen the recent BBC programme. Normally, I am not a fan of reading a book after an adaptation, but this was an exception.

The life of Mma Precious Ramotswe, Mma Makusti as well as Mr J L B Matekoni is beautifully detailed in this book. If you have watched the TV programme, then try and forget it as this book is so much more.

You really do feel you are in Botswana and travelling in Mma Ramotswe's little white van as she tries to solve many of the normal, more challenging and some slightly eyebrow raising problems that the locals have come to her about. The details of such small things as the cattle, the snakes that are local to the area, the layout of the shopping mall and local area are described so well. The landscape is described richly when it has rained and sparse when there is a drought, Alexander McCall Smith has successfully, in my opinion created a wonderful picture of a country which many may not visit, but can do so through his books.

The author cleverly moves backwards and forwards with the stories of the cases, as well as telling the background to Precious and also her father, who had a large impact on her life.

This is a feel good book, despite some of the storylines which are not feel good, and was a real pleasure and escapism to read. I will definitely seek out the next few in the series. What a real find.