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To take off from the book's title, we should refer to these as "The series who brings sunshine." In these times of turmoil and violence, it is always comforting to pay a visit to Mma Ramotswe and all the endearing characters surrounding her in Botswana. This world created by Alexander McCall Smith is down-to-earth, filled with common sense and simple but by no means simplistic.
Mma Ramotswe, owner of the Agency, is pushed into taking a holiday. Since she has never had one, she feels somewhat awkward not knowing how to go about it. She tackles household chores, tries to do what the rich ladies do but somehow she feels out of sorts with nothing to do. She is also somewhat reluctant to leave her Agency in the hands of the formidable Mma Makutsi. So when, Rra Polopetsi, who has volunteered to help out, asks for her assistance in what appears to be a complicated and delicate case involving the reputation of a dead politician, she cannot help but unofficially and secretly return to work. Will she be able to work undercover? Who will finally solve the case?
Getting Mma Ramotswe out of her office provided a good opportunity to know her and her surroundings better. We learn about the daily life of ordinary people in Botswana, through her domestic preoccupations, the daily problems related to the weather and the fauna, and the geography of the country. There is also an added depth, because through her musings and conversations, the author touches more on the darker social aspects, adding historical information and commenting on the changes brought through growth and modernity, tackling bigger issues like the roles of men and women, homosexuality, HIV-AIDS, child abuse. Smith always manages to do so with a light touch but one can still see the seamier side.
Although I found the plot less captivating than those of the previous books, it brought greater insights into the relationship between the two main characters and with them and the reader. I confess to not liking pushy, manipulative Mma Makutsi very much, and was hoping she would flop on her solo flight at the helm of the Agency. However, Smith managed to make my and Mma Ramotswe's reservations disappear, ensuing in a satisfactory ending and providing for Mma Ramotswe the opportunity for a real vacation and a good helping of sunshine.
§ Nicole Leclerc is a native Montrealer, avid reader, long time reviewer and moderator of the 4MA online discussion group.
Reviewed by Nicole Leclerc, November 2015
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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