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 Morality for Beautiful Girls, the third book of the series, just continues to please. Mma Precious Mamotswe and Mr JLB Matekoni, as are all the characters in this novel are such complete, carefully drawn people that is wonderful to be with them once again. Mma Mamotswe runs a detective agency but what she really does is help people with problems in their lives. She looks at life in a balanced and faithful way, and she lives a good life, expecting others not always to do the same. In this book we see her give her secretary more responsibility and authority and it does nothing but good. I love the way Alexander McCall Smith describes Africa, and I feel like I am there. This is a wonderful, fabulous book--read it, read the series! After this, it is to The Kalarai Typing School for Men for me.
This case is much like those in the two previous books as "traditionally built" Precious Ramotswe must insinuate herself into a country household and unmask the poisoner. As always, she uses her intelligence, keen sense of human nature and a desire to help people to arrive at an outcome that's best for all. Plotline four embroils Miss Makutsi in an investigation of the character of four beauty contest finalists. She proves herself the equal of Mma Ramotswe as a detective, and in that sense, she steals some of the thunder in this book. The final plotline revolves around a mystery held by Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni which is hinted at but never unveiled, presumably leaving it for the next book, which is rather frustrating and annoying. Like the earlier books, this one critiques forces of progress and modernization as well as patriarchalism (although in a lighter way than the other books did), and aims to portray a positive picture of modern Africa, one all too rarely seen in the West. As always, the story is delivered in a delightfully fluid and simple well-paced prose. The series continues with The Kalahari Typing School For Men.
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This is the second book I have read in this series and still have the impression that these books are very light on mystery. I guess I would have to say this is more true for this book than the first one I read. I have to agree with several of the other reviewers that there seemed to be more lose ends (or losely tied ends) that really didn't leave me satisfied. Beyond that, as a fictional read, the descriptions of the people and country have been consistantly good in both books.
In the third installment of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Mma Ramotswe faces new challenges that give this book a slightly different twist. In this story the focus seems to be more on the ever changing quality of Precious Ramotswe's life and the people in it rather than the cases that come into the agency. I missed Mr. J.L.B. Maketoni and his quiet gentleness in this book, as he was indisposed throughout most of the story with a mysterious illness. Mma Makutsi and her new job as the manager of Tlokweng Road Speedy Motors and assistant detective figure prominently in the storyline. The reader learns more about her personal life, what drives her and her unique thoughts on the state of society especially the status of women. The mysteries are less obvious and a little less satisfying when resolved. What the reader is given is some beautiful philosophicial prose on the nature of the human condition as Mme Ramtoswe and Mme Matkusi each ponder the intricacies of their cases. I enjoyed this book, although somewhat different. Perhaps, as a reader I must come to expect that each book in the series is unique in its own way. McCall Smith has again created a wonderful story that quietly interweaves the African culture, traditions and communities into a story that touches us no matter where we live.
Read the sample pages on Amazon...the author obviously set himself the task of raising consciousness about life in Africa, specifically female life in Botswana. His political purpose may be admirable but the writing is stiff, preachy, and ultimately uninteresting. Not wretched, but a chore to read. How many women refer to a prospective fiance in their most private thoughts as Mr. J. L. B. Jones? 'Nuff said.
