Rating: 
Summary: Getting the Most from This Book
Review: This book is a very charming one. Its heroine is both adorable and admirable, and its author is a master of story telling, from comedy to tragedy. All that has been said by other reviewers, of course. I just want to add that the unabridged audio version of the book is a real winner. Its narrator is terrific with accents and characterizations and she really brings the book alive. Apparently she has been recognized for her narration, and deservedly so. This is easily the best-read book on tape I have ever experienced. My husband agrees. So we'd both recommend the audio version over the print version in this particular case.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant in its simplicity
Review: I know. It's a pretty lame title, but it's true.The writing is simple and compact and yet very descriptive without unnecessary dialogue and description. No predictable plot twists, not even a lot of twists. Just very good storytelling without all the frills. And the story leaves you appreciating the simpler way to live.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring!!!!!!!!
Review: This book was very slow moving and lacked the ability to hold my interest. I'd recommend the Poisonwood Bible instead.
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Summary: Oh to be back in Africa
Review: "She approached one of the woman traders and spoke to her in Setswana.
"Are you well today, Mma?" she said politely.
"I am well, and you are well, too, Mma?"
"I am well, and I have slept very well."
"Good."" Pretty much the same as "How are you?", but so much more lyrical and slower in pace. This is the Africa I miss and the Africa the reader gets a taste of in this book. I too cannot wait to read the whole series. What a joy it was to read. Enjoy!!!
Rating:
Summary: Very good light read! Very entertaining!
Review: Botswana lady sleuth Mma (pronounced "mee-muh" in my head, but represents your standard gender term for a female) Ramotswe solves local Botswana crimes: family problems, fraud, kidnappings and disappearances. What makes this book so readable (for me) is that the "crimes" are rather mundane compared to what we see on the 5 o'clock news. This is a welcome change when one has grown tired of all those mystery novels out there that start with a dead prostitute lying face down in a city gutter and the ubiquitous hard-boiled detective spouting hardened prose like, "In a city like this, you wake up everyday wishing you were dead". This book is also worth a read as the story is peppered with local images/cultural idiosyncrasies that one might not know about Africa and, more specifically, Botswana.
Rating:
Summary: I love it, I love it, I love it!
Review: I bought this book to take on vacation, but couldn't wait and I'm so glad that I couldn't resist the temptation. I love the story of this beautiful independent woman who does what she wants with her life. The author made me feel that I was there in Botswana with the main character who "detectives" with love, wisdom, kindness and humor. This is true...I read it through once and then immediately read it again...the language is beautiful and I liked the twists. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK 100 PERCENT and I'm going to buy all the sequels tomorrow...so I'll have some guaranteed good reading on the plane and on my two weeks in Europe... When I'm in the room in Switzerland overcoming jet lag, I'll be in Botswana!
Rating: 
Summary: give us more books about Africa!
Review: I liked this book a lot, but I also think the fact that at least three of Alexander McCall Smith's books are on the bestseller list right now says a lot about our desire to read entertaining, dare we say hopeful stories about Africa. I am fascinated by Africa, but can only bring myself to read so much about war, suffering, drought, and starvation. Smith shows the human, day-to-day life of the continent -- may he be only the first of many!
Rating:
Summary: Hurray For Fat Women
Review: I loved this book. I was very fond of the lead character.
This novel was easy to read and was a real page turner.I highly
recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Review: Love, hate, suspense, mystery, humor....It has it all. Well written leaves you wanting more. Can't wait to read other books by this author. You will not want to put it down until you finish it. The characters are realistic with all the flaws of humanity and all the goodness too.
Rating:
Summary: Sweet and Simple
Review: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a sweet and simple tale--an easy read that despite its simplicity will have you pondering what goes on in the novel. The novel doesn't have much of what one would call a plot, but rather contains a series of vignettes in which Mma Ramotswe recounts various clients she has helped in her detective work. She is an unconventional detective, and goes about solving the riddles posed to her in surprising ways. She also shares her personal history, telling us how she got to where she is. It is a charming tale, charming and enjoyable.
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