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Avg. Rating: 3.64
Flogging a dead horse?
These books began as a breath of fresh air, an uplifting series which was based in Botswana and showed a side of Africa of which many of us were ignorant. Precious Ramotswe is a vibrant character, full of life and "traditionally built". Her personality, as introduced in The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and developed in Tears of the Giraffe and Morality for Beautiful Girls, made her cheerful and independent. Unfortunately, Mr McCall Smith has seen his books are popular and decided to draw out any big events (for example, the wedding). I did enjoy the first few books but this (and The Kalahari Typing School for Men) are a lot more forgettable. Very little happens in these books - the detective work takes a backseat and, worst of all, everything is repeated again and again, just incase you haven't read the first four novels. The stories are losing their flavour and its seems the characters are being dragged from one silly situation into another. If you've just heard about these books, go buy the first couple ("The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" and "Tears of the Giraffe"). If you've read the rest, then you (like myself) will probably buy this one and read it anyway. Unfortunately, the sales of this book will probably encourage a 6th.
Life is a rich, full cupboard...&this novel adds to it
"The Full Cupboard of Life: More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is the fifth installment of Alexander McCall Smith's outstanding series about Mma. Precious Ramotswe, proprietor of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and perhaps the only female detective in all of Africa, with the exception of her assistant, Mma Makutsi. Mma Ramotswe's is an extremely intelligent woman who possesses a keen perception of the human character. She is also a good person with a kind heart and a strong set of values. Most inspiring, however, is her deep and abiding love for Africa, and for Botswana and its people in particular. "They are my people, my brothers and sisters. It is my duty to help them to solve the mysteries of their lives. I strongly suggest that any potential reader who has not already been introduced to our protagonist, read "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" and other prior books in the series. While not absolutely necessary, it will certainly enhance your experience with Mma Ramotswe and her country.Fortunately Mma Ramotswe and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Gaborone's best mechanic, are still planning to wed and both are in good health, as are their two adopted children. Alas, their wedding date has still not been set. And if I am anxious about their very prolonged engagement, well imagine how the lady involved with the procrastinating fiance feels. She doesn't want to pressure him, however, as he has enough problems to contend with at the moment. He is concerned about getting out of a promise to make a parachute jump, which Mma Potokwani finagled him into, in the name of charity. And he is also being distracted by a predicament with a business rival at First Class Motors. Case-wise, a wealthy beauty salon entrepreneur hires Mma Ramotswe to discover which of her many suitors are after her considerable fortune, and what their true motives for matrimony are. And assistant detective Makutsi's 'Kalahari Typing School for Men' is doing so well, she can afford to move...to a house with running water. As most readers of the series know by now, this is not an ordinary crime novel/police procedural. Nor is it an edge-of-your-seat mystery thriller. Mma. Ramotswe is a private detective, but she manages to solve mysteries without the use of guns and violence, preferring to use unorthodox solutions instead. The narrative is written simply, in a clear, uncluttered style. And our Number One Detective is a pure delight, as are the people she deals with, and their everyday problems which she helps them resolve.
JANA
A beautiful read
An entertaining read though not as entertaining as the previous novels. Dwelling more on character building, it will certainly serve to build on further stories in the series. I particularly liked the gentle humor and wisdom in the novel. A recommended red though, along with titles like:The Girl who married a lion, The usurper and Other Stories, Triple Agent, Double Cross
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