Tears of the Giraffe (No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency) |
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Alexander McCall Smith
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Pages: 240 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0349116652
Pub: Abacus
Pub date: 2003-08-07
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 292
Reader Reviews:
Another good read (1/1 people found this helpful)
There is no doubt that these books continue to keep the reader interested as the lives of the characters develop with each new story. The book as always gently unfolds a story that can be picked up and put down with ease and will always be read again.
A fantastic story (0/0 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 by Janvier Tisi, The Full Cupboard of Life, Disgrace
An outstanding audiobook (1/1 people found this helpful)
Adjoa Andoh reads Tears of a Giraffe brilliantly. She perfectly captures the spirit of the novel; making use of a wide range of African accents to great effect. The novel is first-rate and Andoh enhances the book with great emphathy. Listening to this CD set is an excellent way of spending six hours!
What a mouthful? (6/14 people found this helpful)
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
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