Tears of the Giraffe: More from the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Although I'm a great fan of Mr A M Smith's books, I do find that Mr A M Smith can often repeat the name of his character, Mr J L B Maketoni rather too often throughout the whole of Tears of the Giraffe. Can Mr A M Smith not give Mr J L B Maketoni a first name or refer to him as "him" on occasion? I found the reference to Mr J L B Maketoni upset the flow of the story which made it less enjoyable and not quite the light easy read I had enjoyed in the first book of the series. The storyline picked up and got better towards the end (especially if you didn't read Mr J L B Maketoni) but I'm not sure whether I can endure any more Mr J L B Maketoni references in future books. This is a shame as I really enjoyed the first book. On a plus point, if you're an Alexander McCall Smith fan, I can highly recommend 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales - not to be missed and not a Mr J L B Maketoni reference in sight - thankfully!!

Private Eye Precious Ramotswe And Company = Pure Delight! (17/19 people found this helpful)

"Tears of the Giraffe," is the second novel in Alexander McCall Smith's absolutely delightful "Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency" series. Although the primary setting is Gaborone, Botswana, the author take the reader along with Private Eye Precious Ramotswe when she travels throughout her beautiful, but desolate native countryside. Mma. Ramotswe, our plus-sized protagonist, who possesses an overabundance of intelligence, intuition, cleverness and a wonderful sense of humor, is presently busy juggling her private life with her ever increasing success as a detective.

She is now officially engaged to local master mechanic Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, the most gentlemanly of men. While Mma. Ramotswe presides over her detective agency, and is, in fact, the only female private detective in all Botswana, Mr. Matekoni has entrepreneurial expertise as well. He owns Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors. An honest, loving man with an extremely kind heart, he recently went to fix a water pump at a local orphanage, free of charge, and left with two children in tow.

Now Mma. Ramotswe has her hands full planning a new life with her fiance and newly found family, dealing with the nasty housekeeper, and building a relationship with her foster children. She also strikes a blow for feminism when she promotes her secretary to Assistant Detective and gives her a case to solve. Then Mrs. Curtain, an American whose son disappeared in the Kalahari desert, enters the picture when she passes through the doors of the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency. Michael Curtain had been living and working on a commune, experimenting with systems for growing vegetables in the harsh conditions of the Botswana desert. One night, ten years before, he vanished without a trace. His mother has been searching for him ever since, exhausting every available avenue. The American Embassy recommends Mma. Ramotswe's services, as a last resort. Word does get around! Although the "cold case" does not look promising, our lady detective takes the job. I think she empathizes with the woman's pain and sense of loss, as she once lost a child of her own.

Mma. Ramotswes spirit is luminescent. Ultimately, she is a good woman, a really decent person with a kind heart. She loves her fellow man, but most of all, and most inspiring, 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. That is what I am called to do."

Author Alexander McCall Smith's narrative is written simply, in a clear, uncluttered style. And our Number One Detective is both extraordinary and original - as are the people she deals with, along with their everyday problems which she helps to resolve. I am captivated by Precious Ramotswe and this series. Highly recommended!
JANA

A fantastic story (8/8 people found this helpful)

A fast flowing story set, Tears of the Giraffe is one of the best books I have read. With good values expressed through characters that are lively, this book showed a beautiful side of Africa, where commitment is held sacred, where love is deep and hospitality is the norm. Fast paced and hilarious, this book hooked me all the more to the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Also recommended: The Usurper and other stories, The Full Cupboard of Life,union moujik, Disgrace

Africa Beckons You with Love in This Beautiful Novel (30/31 people found this helpful)

If you have not read The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, I strongly urge you to do so before reading Tears of the Giraffe. Otherwise, this beautiful novel will seem like a four star effort as you fail to appreciate and integrate the background of Precious Ramotswe into your thinking as it was described in the earlier book.

Tears of the Giraffe isn't so much a sequel as a continuation of the events in The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. As that book ended, Mma Ramatswe accepted the proposal of Mr J.L.B. Matekoni. In Tears of the Giraffe, the couple decides in which of their houses they will live, picks out a ring and decides about having children. Each event has its unexpected twists . . . including an attempt by Mr Matekoni's maid to derail the marriage.

There is less happening at the detective agency than in the prior story. This book involves solving only two mysteries, a wandering wife and a missing son. Mma Ramatswe learns that her able secretary wants to become a detective, and the savvy head of the agency tries out Mma Makutsi's talents with encouraging results.

Both story lines focus on questions of right and wrong. As a prospective spouse, what are the right reactions to one's fiancé or fiancée? As a detective, how much may one do wrong to avoid greater wrongs? To one's community, what is owed? To one's employees, what opportunities should be opened? In each case, the suggestion is that all responsibilities must be borne . . . and borne bravely . . . but in a way that is tempered with love for one's fellow people.

As with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Africa itself plays a role stronger than any single character in defining what is thought and done. The strong and distinct atmosphere makes the book more enchanting to those who do not know Africa.

The story is strengthened by alternating narrators among many different characters and using lots of dialogue so that each part of the novel is vivid and varied. It's as though six or seven almost unconnected short stories were woven together into a seamless novel. It's an impressive accomplishment.

As I finished the book, I wondered how much better off we all would be if we each took a strong responsibility for all those we meet and touch.

Take Me To Botswana! (48/48 people found this helpful)

This is a lovely book, set in Botswana. Following directly on from No1 Ladies Detective Agency, it is a simple story about the day to day life of a Batswana woman in her 30s who tries to help others by solving their problems. She is a good woman, wiser than her age would suggest, and with a masterful insight into human nature. You learn about her background, her home, and the people around her. It is all related in such an enticing way, full of african names, attitudes and the charming way they use english that left me with not only my own clear picture of her life, but a desire to see Botswana for myself.

Isn't it one of the most lovely feelings when you find a series of books that you love to read? You cant wait to get stuck into the next one, and even once you've devoured that, there are still more books to go? Well, after reading No1 Ladies Detective Agency I was like a glutton - straight into Tears of the Giraffe, this, the second book, eating it up as if I'd been starved of reading material for years, not minutes. I wasn't disappointed - if you liked the No1 Ladies Detective Agency you WILL like Tears of the Giraffe. Absolutely no question about it. And if you loved the No1 Ladies Detective Agency you WILL love Tears of the Giraffe. Its that simple.

If you happen upon this review and are interested in Tears of the Giraffe but havent read No1 Ladies Detective Agency, make sure you read that before this, because they do run chronologically.

Tears of the Giraffe: More from the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency

Alexander McCall Smith

Reader Reviews:

What a mouthful? (5/12 people found this helpful)

Private Eye Precious Ramotswe And Company = Pure Delight! (17/19 people found this helpful)

A fantastic story (8/8 people found this helpful)

Africa Beckons You with Love in This Beautiful Novel (30/31 people found this helpful)

Take Me To Botswana! (48/48 people found this helpful)

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