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No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency #12.6
THE CLEVERNESS OF LADIES
There are times when ladies must use all their wisdom and good sense to face life's problems and mysteries. Mma Ramotswe, owner of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, keeps her wits about her as she looks into why the country's star goalkeeper isn't saving goals. Georgina turns her rudeness into a virtue when she opens a successful hotel. Italian shop-keeper Fabrizia shows her bravery when her husband betrays her. And in Suffolk during the Second World War, gentle La proves that music really can make a difference.With his trademark gift for storytelling, international bestselling author Alexander McCall Smith brings us five tales of love, heartbreak, hope and the cleverness of ladies.
Unknown Binding
First published February 1, 2012
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About the author
Alexander McCall Smith
671 books12.7k followersAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
February 1, 2021
3★
"She had decided that the best way to tackle this case was the way in which she tackled every case, head on."
"She" is Mma Ramotswe, founder of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. The goalkeeper of the Comets has been playing badly and caused the team many losses. and if she can't find out who is benefiting from this bad playing, nobody will. Follow the money, she thinks. The basics of the criminal investigation are the same in Botswana as Hollywood.
This is an entertaining short story, with the usual cast, but I have to admit I guessed the result almost immediately. It's just a simple side-story to the main series - pleasant, but nothing more.
The other four stories in this small book are not about Mma Ramotswe, and I didn't enjoy them as much. The last is a longer one, which took place in Suffolk, England, during WW2, about a woman who begins a small community orchestra to cheer things up. She was right - music did make a difference, and in more ways than one.
This was an audio book, and I very much enjoyed the narrator, Adjoah, Andoh - she was great. I especially enjoyed her voices for Mma Ramotswe and the others. She was worth the price of admission, so to speak. :)
"She had decided that the best way to tackle this case was the way in which she tackled every case, head on."
"She" is Mma Ramotswe, founder of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. The goalkeeper of the Comets has been playing badly and caused the team many losses. and if she can't find out who is benefiting from this bad playing, nobody will. Follow the money, she thinks. The basics of the criminal investigation are the same in Botswana as Hollywood.
This is an entertaining short story, with the usual cast, but I have to admit I guessed the result almost immediately. It's just a simple side-story to the main series - pleasant, but nothing more.
The other four stories in this small book are not about Mma Ramotswe, and I didn't enjoy them as much. The last is a longer one, which took place in Suffolk, England, during WW2, about a woman who begins a small community orchestra to cheer things up. She was right - music did make a difference, and in more ways than one.
This was an audio book, and I very much enjoyed the narrator, Adjoah, Andoh - she was great. I especially enjoyed her voices for Mma Ramotswe and the others. She was worth the price of admission, so to speak. :)
June 24, 2020
This is a smiley collection of stories by Alexander McCall Smith, the first of which stars Mma Ramotswe, of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency fame. In this first story of the same title as the book, Mma Ramotswe and her trusty assistant solve the mystery of a local legendary Botswanan goalkeeper who is suddenly failing to do his job - Is he being paid off? It’s up to Mma Ramotswe to solve the mystery (of sorts). In a High Wind in Nevis, (Dutch) Marcos and (Trinidadian) Georgina buy a property and turn it into a hotel. The hotel was successful but Georgina, who was irritable by nature, could not keep a civil tongue with the guests until one day a strong wind felled a coconut, conking her on the noggin, and suddenly she was a changed woman (kind of like Nately's Whore after she finally got a good night's sleep). Namaqualand Daisies takes place in a small African town. There is a Major and wife, Judge and wife, and a few other assorted individuals. Major's wife grows bored with her life in Africa and with her Major husband, disappearing and leaving him a note saying she's gone back to Suffolk. Soon her nephew from Suffolk shows up and moves in with the Major, overstays his welcome, is unwilling to leave, possibly blackmailing, and then he is gone. Next, the Judge's wife asks about the nephew and soon she, too, disappears leaving behind a typed message stating that she is leaving and asks that her husband not go after her....the Judge is surprised because she does not know how to type (it took me a while to connect the dots)...Finally, in Music Helps, there is a sweet story about a widow who "could never love another man - none could be his equal". She occupies her time organizing a ragtag orchestra for the pleasure of the surrounding townships on the Suffolk coast (circa early 1940s), of course there is a subtle love story and an ambiguous ending.
I enjoyed the collection of stories but I particularly loved the brilliant narration by Adjoa Andoh who also narrates other books by Alexander Mcall Smith.
I enjoyed the collection of stories but I particularly loved the brilliant narration by Adjoa Andoh who also narrates other books by Alexander Mcall Smith.
November 25, 2014
Alexander McCall Smith has penned an uneven collection of five short stories. The first tale, “The Cleverness of Ladies,” which dwells on a football player suspected of throwing games, echoes McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency novel Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, while the final tale, “Music Helps,” appears to have been the outline for the McCall Smith’s La’s Orchestra Saves the World. The Mma Ramotswe short story does not rise to the level of the novel it resembles; I enjoyed “Music Helps,” but I suspect, had I already read La’s Orchestra Saves the World, I would have been equally disappointed in this rehash.
As to the three original short stories, both “A High Wind in Nevis” and “Fabrizia” were predictable and lackluster; only “Namaqualand Daisies,” which turns out to be much more sinister than it originally seems, shines in this collection. Die-hard Alexander McCall Smith fans will, of course, adore the collection; others are better off sticking with the novels.
As to the three original short stories, both “A High Wind in Nevis” and “Fabrizia” were predictable and lackluster; only “Namaqualand Daisies,” which turns out to be much more sinister than it originally seems, shines in this collection. Die-hard Alexander McCall Smith fans will, of course, adore the collection; others are better off sticking with the novels.
August 7, 2020
There are times when ladies must use all their wisdom and good sense to face life's problems and mysteries. Mma Ramotswe, owner of the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, keeps her wits about her as she looks into why the country's star goalkeeper isn't saving goals. Georgina turns her rudeness into a virtue when she opens a successful hotel. Italian shop-keeper Fabrizia shows her bravery when her husband betrays her. And in Suffolk during the Second World War, gentle La proves that music really can make a difference.
July 8, 2012
The Cleverness of Ladies is an omnibus of five short stories by Alexander McCall Smith. In the first story, The Cleverness of Ladies, Mma Ramotswe is engaged by Mr Gefeli, the owner of the Gabarone Comets football team to investigate if his star goal-keeper, James Pikani, is taking bribes to let goals through. Whilst knowing next-to-nothing about football, Precious listens to comments from those around her and cleverly deduces the reality of the situation. Reading the summary of this tale, I thought it was going to be an excerpt from Tea Time for the Traditionally Built, so I was pleasantly surprised by this original tale.5/5 A High Wind in Nevis is set on the Caribbean Island of Nevis, where Dutchman Marcus and his “ever so slightly irritable” Georgina buy an old mansion and convert it to a hotel. Despite (or is it because of?) Georgina’s highly acerbic comments and her impatient manner, the hotel is a big success. Everything Georgina said made me laugh out loud. 5/5 Fabrizia has been brought up by her widowed father in the Northern Italian town of Reggio Emilia. Alessio is a successful businessman but warns Fabrizia against Southerners, especially Neapolitans, convinced they are criminals. When Fabrizia ends up marrying gorgeous green-eyed Salvatore from Naples, Alessio decides to give him a chance. Fabrizia’s eventual cleverness about her husband falls on deaf ears, however. 4/5 Namaqualand Daisies is set in Basotuland. When Mr Andrews’ wife decides life in Maseru is too boring for her to stay, several people take pity on him. The cattle-trader’s widow and the Judge’s wife make sure his social calendar is full. But when his wife’s cousin comes to visit, outstays his welcome then suddenly disappears, the judge’s wife finds it strange. And perhaps her cleverness is a fatal thing…….5/5 Music Helps is a condensed version of McCall Smith’s delightful stand-alone novel, La’s Orchestra Saves The World. La forms an orchestra at the start of the war, to occupy and entertain the people of her small Suffolk town, because music helps. And after the war, another world crisis responds to La’s Orchestra. 5/5
May 7, 2017
This book was a collection of five short stories, but it was shorter than I had anticipated and I finished it in one go while sitting in the doctor's waiting room. I am a huge fan of Alexander McCaul Smith but I would say this book left me disappointed. The first Ramotswe story was not up to the mark though it was delightful as always. The second story was nice and I really loved it. The third story was alright. The fourth made really no sense and I did not like the fifth, though I suppose it made a point.
Overall, a nice quick read but from the author of the Mma Ramotswe stories, a very sad disappointment.
Overall, a nice quick read but from the author of the Mma Ramotswe stories, a very sad disappointment.
July 21, 2016
Not one short story, but five very short stories. They are all okay, but the short, simple block descriptions render the characters and scenes a little two-dimensional for my liking.
September 22, 2022
I thought this was all No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency stories but I misunderstood the cover! There are 4 stories (one featuring Mma Ramotswe), all from different countries with different female protagonists.
I liked it well enough for a quick read :)
I liked it well enough for a quick read :)
March 20, 2014
The title and picture on the front of this book suggested, The cleverness of ladies was going to be more stories from the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. However I was disappointed that only the first of the five short stories was about the Agency. All the stories were well written and interesting tales but I found the middle three all failed to capitalize on good beginnings.
The first story about Mme Ramotswe's detective agency was an enjoyable tale based on a simple idea but well executed. The second about a couple opening a successful hotel is rather implausible given the wife's abrasive attitude. The third story about an Italian shopkeeper Fabrizia seemed rather pointless. The fourth story about disappearing wives and a cousin was unfathomable. Were they murdered by the Captain? However I did like the last story – Music helps with its subtle message of hope.
This book is part of the series, Quick Reads. Perhaps this format doesn't suit Alexander McCall Smith as small word limits are restrictive; nevertheless it was still apparent that he is a good storyteller.
The first story about Mme Ramotswe's detective agency was an enjoyable tale based on a simple idea but well executed. The second about a couple opening a successful hotel is rather implausible given the wife's abrasive attitude. The third story about an Italian shopkeeper Fabrizia seemed rather pointless. The fourth story about disappearing wives and a cousin was unfathomable. Were they murdered by the Captain? However I did like the last story – Music helps with its subtle message of hope.
This book is part of the series, Quick Reads. Perhaps this format doesn't suit Alexander McCall Smith as small word limits are restrictive; nevertheless it was still apparent that he is a good storyteller.
October 30, 2020
As usual with any other books in this series, this was delightful! Although Smith went a bit darker than I would expect with "Namaqualand Daisies," it was a break from what I would normally expect from him, though definitely left to interpretation, so perhaps I did not interpret it as he intended... I am now caught up with the various in-between installments for this series and will continue with the 15th book The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café!
April 21, 2021
A rather lack lustre collection of five stories with even Mma Ramotswe & the No 1 ladies Detective Agency lacking their usual charm. Nothing else to say.....
April 20, 2017
A lovely book with four short stories, showing various aspects of female intelligence. The first story stars Mma Ramotswe and her detection skills, this is followed by a daughter's troubled relationship with her father who has an attitude problem, he hates Sicilians, Fabrazio marries a Sicilian and there is trouble ahead, the third tale is about the Captain, a fine upright gentleman (or not) and the last tale is a love story about the healing power of music as La starts her own orchestra and meets a Polish flautist.
All beautifully told stories, I enjoyed each one and was sad to finish reading them. Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favourite authors, and this did not disappoint. A short read, still engrossing and interesting. Recommend this to anyone who enjoys his writing and to anyone who has yet to discover the joys of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi as they drink their favourite redbush tea and coming up with solutions to complex problems. All of the stories are of the same quality and Alexander McCall Smith makes accurate and insightful observations about the way people will act.
All beautifully told stories, I enjoyed each one and was sad to finish reading them. Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favourite authors, and this did not disappoint. A short read, still engrossing and interesting. Recommend this to anyone who enjoys his writing and to anyone who has yet to discover the joys of Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi as they drink their favourite redbush tea and coming up with solutions to complex problems. All of the stories are of the same quality and Alexander McCall Smith makes accurate and insightful observations about the way people will act.
October 14, 2019
I went into this expecting a taster of McCall Smith's No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series, which it was, but only in very small part. This quick read book soon turned out to be a micro short story collection featuring a variety of tales in sunny climates from Africa to Italy. It is quite apparent that Smith favours a brighter scenic setting, no matter how dark his subject matter becomes.
While I enjoyed these short stories, this collection didn't really feel united by any kind of theme other than perhaps giving adults who have chosen to develop their reading the chance to sample Smith's literary range. Fortunately he is indeed a skilled storyteller and subtle with it.
I recommend The Cleverness of Ladies to those looking for a very quick introduction to Mma Ramotswe and her detective skills but also Smith's general gift for scene-setting.
Notable Stories
• Fabrizia – a wise and witty tale of the flexibility of prejudice and love with a very cheeky ending.
• Namaqualand Daisies – a subtle but surprisingly disturbing story of loved ones who suddenly disappear.
While I enjoyed these short stories, this collection didn't really feel united by any kind of theme other than perhaps giving adults who have chosen to develop their reading the chance to sample Smith's literary range. Fortunately he is indeed a skilled storyteller and subtle with it.
I recommend The Cleverness of Ladies to those looking for a very quick introduction to Mma Ramotswe and her detective skills but also Smith's general gift for scene-setting.
Notable Stories
• Fabrizia – a wise and witty tale of the flexibility of prejudice and love with a very cheeky ending.
• Namaqualand Daisies – a subtle but surprisingly disturbing story of loved ones who suddenly disappear.
March 4, 2023
オーディオで。
いろんなアクセントの英語を繰り出すナレーターさん、すごい！
いろんなアクセントの英語を繰り出すナレーターさん、すごい！
March 4, 2024
Enjoying the series
March 9, 2019
Quick and cute like a spring breeze.
February 15, 2025
I took this small book of short stories out of the library for me to read to Mark, but in the event he read most of them to me, while I did my compulsory lying down with pillows under my back, which I combine with wearing my heated eye mask which the optician advised to allieviate an eye condition. The two make it impossible to do much at all. I always enjoy the no. 1 ladies detective agency stories, this short one was fine, although less complex than the full length books.
The stories varied in length enormously, and were uneven in quality. I did enjoy the last one, having read La's Orchestra some years ago.
The stories varied in length enormously, and were uneven in quality. I did enjoy the last one, having read La's Orchestra some years ago.
August 19, 2014
This book is supposedly the 13.5th book in the series of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. So it came as a surprise that there was only a short story on Mma Ramotswe and her business. I should've realised that this would bring nothing to the series and instead include 4 more stories that had nothing to do with the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, and which are not as intriguing or all that interesting.
The first story
The Cleverness Of Ladies
Was your typical detective story, but it was so short, and a lot of mistakes. There was mention of the apprentices, but it seems Alexander McCall Smith had totally forgotten Fanwell's name and just mentioned him as the second apprentice. So much was missed out that should've been included and it just felt like there was a sole focus on the plot and no development of the characters at all. This was a recurring thing in the following stories too.
The second story
A High Wind In Nevis
This one could definitely have been a full length story. Alexander McCall Smith has missed out on a tongue-in-cheek novel that could have us crying with laughter. This failed in every aspect to just do that. Just a total lack of interest, and it never made sense to me, and made me question why I was even reading this.
The third story
Fabrizia
This one followed suit, failed to impress me, wasn't shocking at all, and again made me question why I was reading this. Alexander McCall Smith is an amazing writer according to all the books I've read so far, but this just showed that even accomplished authors can have their bad days. Did not see the point in the telling of this story at all.
The fourth story
Namaqualand Daisies
This was a mysterious story, which yet again followed the previous stories. I feel like I'm being plunged into a situation that is on fast forward and then I'm pulled out once again. This one left me confused, and I never did truly understand this one at all, can't stop asking "Why?" as that is the only thing that I can comment on this story. So many questions left unanswered.
The fifth story
Music Helps
This one was definitely the best out of all five, characterization were down to a tee, fell in love with La immediately, and I really liked the plot, it was intriguing and interesting and worked well as a short story. This story will be remembered for some time in my head.
Overall this should never have been released, it failed on every aspect and the latter story should have been released as a single ebook or novella, as it would've worked well. The title is extremely misleading, it should at least have "and other stories" afterwards.
The first story
The Cleverness Of Ladies
Was your typical detective story, but it was so short, and a lot of mistakes. There was mention of the apprentices, but it seems Alexander McCall Smith had totally forgotten Fanwell's name and just mentioned him as the second apprentice. So much was missed out that should've been included and it just felt like there was a sole focus on the plot and no development of the characters at all. This was a recurring thing in the following stories too.
The second story
A High Wind In Nevis
This one could definitely have been a full length story. Alexander McCall Smith has missed out on a tongue-in-cheek novel that could have us crying with laughter. This failed in every aspect to just do that. Just a total lack of interest, and it never made sense to me, and made me question why I was even reading this.
The third story
Fabrizia
This one followed suit, failed to impress me, wasn't shocking at all, and again made me question why I was reading this. Alexander McCall Smith is an amazing writer according to all the books I've read so far, but this just showed that even accomplished authors can have their bad days. Did not see the point in the telling of this story at all.
The fourth story
Namaqualand Daisies
This was a mysterious story, which yet again followed the previous stories. I feel like I'm being plunged into a situation that is on fast forward and then I'm pulled out once again. This one left me confused, and I never did truly understand this one at all, can't stop asking "Why?" as that is the only thing that I can comment on this story. So many questions left unanswered.
The fifth story
Music Helps
This one was definitely the best out of all five, characterization were down to a tee, fell in love with La immediately, and I really liked the plot, it was intriguing and interesting and worked well as a short story. This story will be remembered for some time in my head.
Overall this should never have been released, it failed on every aspect and the latter story should have been released as a single ebook or novella, as it would've worked well. The title is extremely misleading, it should at least have "and other stories" afterwards.
July 22, 2012
This book wasn't quite what I was expecting. It consisted of five short stories and only one of them was about the No1 Ladies Detective Agency. I'll say a little about each story in turn.
1) The Cleverness of Ladies.
This was the only short stories about the No1 Ladies Detective Agency. I have previously enjoyed this series so was looking forward to reading more about Mma Ramotswe and J.L.B Matekoni. The short story was about a local Football (the Gaborone Comets) owner wanting to find out if his goal keeper was being paid off to let in goals.
Beautifully written short story that takes you back to Africa.
2) A High Wind in Nevis.
I found this short story to be more fable like than the others. It was regarding a Dutch man and his stern female companion who buy a hotel together. The hotel becomes very populur due to the "agressive" female? Strange story but I liked in non the less.
3) Fabrizia
Another fable like story. This time involving a father and his daughter. The father is a business man and is rather predjudice of those who live in the South of Italy. He warns his daughter against men from the South of Italy. Ultimately is he right or wrong?
4) Namaquland Daises
This was my least favourite of all the short stories in the book. It is about a man called the Captain whose Wife leaves him. He becomes good friends with several people that live in his village. Then his wifes nephew comes to stay with him. It all goes a bit wrong from there.
I didn't quite understand this story. Something was missing for me.
5) Music Helps
This was definitely my favourite of the lot. A beautfiul story about a woman named La who sets up an Orcestra at the time of the Second World War. She finds that music helps her and others cope through this difficult time. Does music help? I think so.
1) The Cleverness of Ladies.
This was the only short stories about the No1 Ladies Detective Agency. I have previously enjoyed this series so was looking forward to reading more about Mma Ramotswe and J.L.B Matekoni. The short story was about a local Football (the Gaborone Comets) owner wanting to find out if his goal keeper was being paid off to let in goals.
Beautifully written short story that takes you back to Africa.
2) A High Wind in Nevis.
I found this short story to be more fable like than the others. It was regarding a Dutch man and his stern female companion who buy a hotel together. The hotel becomes very populur due to the "agressive" female? Strange story but I liked in non the less.
3) Fabrizia
Another fable like story. This time involving a father and his daughter. The father is a business man and is rather predjudice of those who live in the South of Italy. He warns his daughter against men from the South of Italy. Ultimately is he right or wrong?
4) Namaquland Daises
This was my least favourite of all the short stories in the book. It is about a man called the Captain whose Wife leaves him. He becomes good friends with several people that live in his village. Then his wifes nephew comes to stay with him. It all goes a bit wrong from there.
I didn't quite understand this story. Something was missing for me.
5) Music Helps
This was definitely my favourite of the lot. A beautfiul story about a woman named La who sets up an Orcestra at the time of the Second World War. She finds that music helps her and others cope through this difficult time. Does music help? I think so.
February 21, 2021
This little book contains
1. The Cleverness of Ladies
An episode in the life of Mma Ramostwe in which she solves the mystery of the good goalie gone bad. It's very predictable, but also fun and cute.
2. A High Wind in Nevis
A story about a grumpy lady and her long-suffering husband who buy a hotel. It's hilarious, though far-fetched and silly.
3. Fabrizia
Terrible story about a girl who pays the price for not listening to her father's strong prejudice against those from the South (of Italy). Not a good message, but there it is. I'm sure people all over Southern Italy are no longer fans of AMcS after reading this one.
4. Namaqualand Daisies
Another terrible story, worse than Fabrizia, about a "Captain" and his trouble with women and his wife's cousin. It's all rather deliberately vague but the implications at the end are pretty upsetting.
5. Music Helps
I've already read La's Orchestra Saves the World, so this was just a shortened version of that story. (Not sure if this came first or the book) Either way the longer book was better, of course.
I'll give the complete collection three stars, but that's mostly because I love AMcS so much I'll forgive him a few bad bits.
1. The Cleverness of Ladies
An episode in the life of Mma Ramostwe in which she solves the mystery of the good goalie gone bad. It's very predictable, but also fun and cute.
2. A High Wind in Nevis
A story about a grumpy lady and her long-suffering husband who buy a hotel. It's hilarious, though far-fetched and silly.
3. Fabrizia
Terrible story about a girl who pays the price for not listening to her father's strong prejudice against those from the South (of Italy). Not a good message, but there it is. I'm sure people all over Southern Italy are no longer fans of AMcS after reading this one.
4. Namaqualand Daisies
Another terrible story, worse than Fabrizia, about a "Captain" and his trouble with women and his wife's cousin. It's all rather deliberately vague but the implications at the end are pretty upsetting.
5. Music Helps
I've already read La's Orchestra Saves the World, so this was just a shortened version of that story. (Not sure if this came first or the book) Either way the longer book was better, of course.
I'll give the complete collection three stars, but that's mostly because I love AMcS so much I'll forgive him a few bad bits.
October 27, 2012
This little book is an entertaining collection of stories each of which can be read at a sitting. The title story features Precious Ramotswe – the proprietor of the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency in Botswana – but the other stories in the collection feature other ladies. The last story in the collection is about La who also appears in the full length book La’s Orchestra.
I enjoyed all the stories and they demonstrate the author’s excellent understanding of human nature and the way people behave. If you haven’t read any of Alexander McCall’s work before then this might be a good place to start as it will give you a flavour of his writing.
I enjoyed all the stories and they demonstrate the author’s excellent understanding of human nature and the way people behave. If you haven’t read any of Alexander McCall’s work before then this might be a good place to start as it will give you a flavour of his writing.
December 19, 2019
I expected to like this more than I did but, for one thing, I just felt that some of the endings were either implied (what happened in the story about the cousin in law??) or didn't really feel like endings at all (the one about the hotelier especially). With the simple style of writing, they felt like short parables, but without a deeper meaning. I expect some people might enjoy the style, but I felt it was a bit unsatisfying, bouncing from one short 'oh, is that the end?' story to the next.
May 23, 2021
I really love the whole 'No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series. I was a bit put off by what I thought might be a condescending narrative voice but I love the stories so much and particularly Mma Ramostwe that I could not stop reading them. The first book is markedly darker than the rest. This series remains a favourite, even though by now we are at no 22... I mean... how is that possible? The TV adaptation is good too, which was not a given.
Written under the shade of the only acacia tree in the Kalahari desert.
Written under the shade of the only acacia tree in the Kalahari desert.
May 24, 2012
Perfect for a sojourn in hospital. Light and easy to read - little concentration required.
Enjoyed first two stories - The Cleverness of Ladies and A High Wind in Nevis. Typical McCall Smith.
I did not quite get Namaqualand Daisies, and felt as if something was missing. Unsatisfactory.
Fabrizia and Music Helps were enjoyable and more thought provoking.
All made me smile.
Enjoyed first two stories - The Cleverness of Ladies and A High Wind in Nevis. Typical McCall Smith.
I did not quite get Namaqualand Daisies, and felt as if something was missing. Unsatisfactory.
Fabrizia and Music Helps were enjoyable and more thought provoking.
All made me smile.
August 16, 2024
If you love Mma Ramotswe and her wisdom and good sense, you will love these short stories. The depicted characters all offer you a facet of how they cope with what life thows at them and how they react to the mysteries of Life.
August 30, 2016
This book wasn't as great as others I've read by this author. I listened to the audiobook version and maybe that's why it didn't work for me. The narrator was brilliant in her portrayal of the different characters, but I lost the thread pretty quickly.
August 9, 2023
A collection of five short stories, and in the typical style of Alexander McCall Smith, they are mostly uplifting. Until, that is, you get to the fourth story, Namaqualand Daisies, which I needed to read twice to understand the subtle and shocking darkness.
September 21, 2017
A collection of shorts--all lovely. La's story is probably my favorite!
March 21, 2021
A series of short stories about women, told with McCall Smith's usual wit and insight.
January 5, 2024
Cute set of short stories from around the world - easy reading for tired minds and eyes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews