alexander mccall smith

16 years ago

I was surprised not to find a thread on this author. I've read 2 of the 3 Isabel Dalhousie series set in Edinburgh and have found them both captivating and enlightening. I don't know how this author keep churning out so many works. I want to ask if the other series, those set in Africa, etc. are as delightful? Am I the only one who finds this author so refreshing?

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Comments (14)

ginny12
16 years ago
No, indeed. I think there have been quite a few mentions of the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. In fact, when I saw the title of this thread, I was hoping there would be news of another installment. The series you mention does not seem to have been as well-liked as that about Precious Ramotswe. But I should give it a try and am glad you brought it up, Woodnymph.
martin_z
16 years ago
I read the #1 Ladies Detective Agency and enjoyed it, but didn't feel the need to read any more of them. Then I tried The Sunday Philosophy Club which I thought was the most ridiculous nonsense I have read in a long time.

So I don't feel inclined to read any more.
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netla
16 years ago
I started reading 44 Scotland Street and Portuguese Irregular Verbs and couldn't finish either. I have read the first five No. 1 Ladies' detective agency books, but I have given up on them and don't think I will read any more. The descriptions of Botswana and its people are interesting, but the tone begins to grate on the nerves after a while. In fact, it feels like I'm being talked down to by the narrator, and I don't like it.
veer
16 years ago
I've read a couple of short stories about Mma Ramotswe and can't say I found them very entertaining.
And like Netla I couldn't finish 'Scotland Street' the characters seemed to inhabit a totally different planet/era (it was meant to be about contemporary life in Edinburgh) and I only managed three chapters.
Chris_in_the_Valley
16 years ago
I've read the first two of both and find them very funny. Once I realized that Dalhousie and Mma Ramotswe were the same person (nosey busybodies) in vastly different circumstances they became both more and less interesting. Dalhousie is less exotic and, therefore, less charming.

We did have a thread on The #1 Ladies Detective Agency way back when. It may be in the wayback machine somehwere, but I've found the wayback machine changed their search engines a couple of years ago and I can no longer find anything.
woodnymph2_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
chris, that's interesting that Isabel and Mma are the same person. Frankly, I find Isabel interesting and likeable. I have the feeling that Isabel reflects the author's persona, as he has considerable experience in philosophy and ethics. I'll have to try at least one of the African series....
ginny12
16 years ago
Be sure to read them in order as they very much build on each other.
gooseberrygirl
16 years ago
I have read and reread the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I love the stories and the characters, esp. Precious and Grace.
I have tried all his other series and didn't care for them, but that is interesting about Precious and Isabel being the same person separated by time and circumstance. I might give that series a second look with that in mind.

gbg
gooseberrygirl
16 years ago
I meant to say that I have read and reread the entire No.1 series. It is one of the few books I buy hardcover as soon as they are published.

I completely agree with Ginny that they should be read in order as the stories build on each other and the characters grow also. I especially like the story of Grace Makutsi, even her "talking shoes".

gbg
woodnymph2_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
Be sure to read the Isabel Dalhousie series in order too, as they build upon one another. Perhaps I am so taken with this because I ADORED Edinburgh, when I explored it years ago....
rouan
16 years ago
I like the Precious Ramotsswe series the best of all of them. I really didn't like the Poruguese Irregular Verbs series at all, even though I read all three of them, trying to like them. I found that I liked the sequels to The Sunday Philosophy Club better than the original one. I don't mind when Mma Ramotswe philosophizes(it seems to belong with the characters and the setting) but I really got annoyed with Isabel Dalhousie philosophizing. It seemed to make the story drag. At least, I felt that way for the first book in that series, it didn't bother me as much in the later books.
woodnymph2_gw
Original Author
16 years ago
FYI, the newest in the Isabel Dalhousie series set in Scotland is "The Careful Use of Complments". I can't wait to find this one and I cannot imagine Isabel a married mother....
ghoghunter
16 years ago
I read both the No1 Detective series all the way through and then the first three of the Isabel Dalhousie series. I loved the Detective Agency series and I liked the Isabel series but not as much as Precious Ramotswe!!! I tried 44 Scotland street but couldn't get into it and stopped. I am eagerly looking forward to another in the Detective Series. I find it interesting that McCall Smith always writes in the voice of a woman.
rouan
16 years ago
Has anyone read Dream Angus by McCall Smith? I listened to it on audio and decided I really didn't like it. I'm sure it was because I didn't like how a couple of the stories ended, not because it wasn't well written.