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Old 09-10-2008, 05:10 AM   #1
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No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency

Managed to get through 3/4 of No 1. Ladies Detective Agency (Alexander McCall Smith) pre-anaesthesia yesterday and am loving it. Have the next two in the series already lined up (all published to date are available as ebooks).

When I first saw it on the shelves I thought it sounded a bit 'twee' so didn't even bother reading the back, butI saw the Minghella adaptation at Christmas which was fantastically amazingly brilliant and made me really want to read it; the book is different enough that it doesn't feel boring or repetitive reading it but you can see how the televisation has really kept to the spirit, essence and style of the writing.

Highly, highly recommend.
Both the book and the adaptation, in fact.
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Old 09-10-2008, 10:41 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mindy View Post
Managed to get through 3/4 of No 1. Ladies Detective Agency (Alexander McCall Smith) pre-anaesthesia yesterday and am loving it. Have the next two in the series already lined up (all published to date are available as ebooks).

When I first saw it on the shelves I thought it sounded a bit 'twee' so didn't even bother reading the back, butI saw the Minghella adaptation at Christmas which was fantastically amazingly brilliant and made me really want to read it; the book is different enough that it doesn't feel boring or repetitive reading it but you can see how the televisation has really kept to the spirit, essence and style of the writing.

Highly, highly recommend.
Both the book and the adaptation, in fact.
I discovered the series before it *was* a series (i.e. just after the first book was published). I really like Mma Ramotse and her gentle approach to her career as a private investigator.

McCall Smith's books show Botswana in a very positive regard, and Mma Ramotse always reflects on her love for her country.

All-in-all, this is a delightful series that I heartily recommend. Now I just need to find out how to get to view the mini-series. I'm hoping PBS (or my local PBS station) will pick it up.
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Old 09-10-2008, 11:54 AM   #3
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It's being released (in the UK, at least) on DVD on 1st December this year. Note that it wasn't a mini-series, but a "TV movie" about 2h long.
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Old 09-11-2008, 03:29 PM   #4
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My wife devours Alexander McCall Smith's books. I haven't had a chance to pick one up yet, as I am still trudging through 'The Stand' by Steven King and taking a trip down memory lane re-reading 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Old 09-12-2008, 01:47 AM   #5
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Great place Botswana. Anything that shows it in a good light I am positive about.
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Old 09-12-2008, 06:09 PM   #6
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Loved the first one (read years ago), hope to read the rest! (Mystery addict here.)
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Old 09-12-2008, 07:19 PM   #7
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Cool Mama Precious Ramotswe

Quote:
Originally Posted by lmarie View Post
Loved the first one (read years ago), hope to read the rest! (Mystery addict here.)
Herewith the books in order in the series.


The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
Tears of the Giraffe
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies

I have them in pbooks and the latest one (cannot remember the name) is available in ebook, but was not able to buy it from Australia.

Weird!!

McCall has also opened an amateur theatre in Botswana for budding thespians.
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Old 09-13-2008, 07:04 AM   #8
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Pedantic Post

Correct order is:

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Tears of the Giraffe
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Then:
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
The Miracle at Speedy Motors

He obviously loves Botswana, and the more I read the more I think I would too!
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Old 09-14-2008, 01:24 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mindy View Post
Correct order is:

The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Tears of the Giraffe
Morality for Beautiful Girls
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
The Full Cupboard of Life
In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
Then:
Blue Shoes and Happiness
The Good Husband of Zebra Drive
The Miracle at Speedy Motors

He obviously loves Botswana, and the more I read the more I think I would too!

I stand completely and utterly corrected.
Hangs head in shame.
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Old 09-14-2008, 05:54 AM   #10
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Quick cross-reference to this post which has details about a new piece from him called Corduroy Mansions which is being made available as a free serialisation through The Telegraph.
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Old 09-14-2008, 06:43 AM   #11
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I'd recommend too his "Sunday Philosophy Club" series. They are mystery stories set in Scotland, and well worth reading.
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Old 09-16-2008, 12:35 PM   #12
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His "Portugese Irregular Verbs" series (available in a single pbook volume entitled The 2 1/2 Pillars of Wisdom) is also a lot of fun. The main character isn't quite a lovable as Mma Ramotswe, however.
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Old 03-14-2009, 05:02 PM   #13
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I know this is an old thread, but for those who are interested and are lucky enough to receive the regular BBC ( Not Sucky BBC prime) the new series is starting on BBC1 tomorrow evening at 21.00u uk time.

Last edited by Marysart; 03-14-2009 at 05:05 PM. Reason: answered my own question
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Old 03-15-2009, 03:53 AM   #14
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You beat me to it - I was going to post the same thing myself! Yes, a 6-part series of 1h programmes starting at 9pm (UK time) on Sundays on BBC1.
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Old 03-20-2009, 04:07 PM   #15
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You beat me to it - I was going to post the same thing myself! Yes, a 6-part series of 1h programmes starting at 9pm (UK time) on Sundays on BBC1.
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