Il nostro compito consiste nell’aiutare la gente che ne ha bisogno a risolvere le faccende irrisolte nella loro vita. C’è ben poco di drammatico nella nostra vocazione; piuttosto, si tratta di un processo di paziente osservazione, deduzione e conclusione; il nostro mestiere ha ben poco di romantico e quelli che sognano esperienze avventurose farebbero meglio a posare questo libro e cercarsi qualcos’altro da fare.

Il libro non l’ho posato, anzi...
Mi sono ritrovata con una lettura tutto sommato piacevole che volendo offre anche spunti di riflessione su temi quanto mai attuali.
I casi trattati - molto semplici - vanno tutti a buon fine, è chiaro, ma è anche la parte più leggera del racconto. I veri protagonisti, a parte i personaggi seriali, sono il Botswana e la sua cultura, con usanze e credenze, ed ancora l’orgoglio, la solidarietà, il senso morale di questo popolo, di questa Terra... e poi i paesaggi, a volte evanescenti, a volte molto vividi tanto che ti sembra di essere lì... belli!!!

Insomma, alla fine mi ha strappato le tre stelle!

The author's affections for Botswana are always simmering beneath the surface. The entire narrative is deliciously flavored with this spice and the reader can savor it after closing the book. The book is filled with often mundane tasks that culminate into a meaningful life for our main characters. As Annie Dillard once said,"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." The character development since the first book is such a rewarding aspect of slowly working through each volume. Mma Makutsi gets her day in Book 3 and it is such a joy to see her come into her own and use those abilities that scored her a 97 in secretarial school. We also anxiously await Mr. J.L.B. Matakoni's recovery from depression. The subject is handled gently, yet honestly. These people are like friends and I look forward to visiting them again in Book 4.

This one I particularly liked. The story of the Government Man...the conclusion to his story. I liked Mma Matsuki gaining a bigger role in proportion to her abilities. I found that her relationship with the mechanics is hilarious and wonderful. And Mma Matsuki's case (while she's completely wrong on the shape-of-the-head-murderer thing) was otherwise a fulfilling story-line too. Normally I don't rate very many sequels, but I found this one to be compelling enough to warrant exception.

I can’t get enough of these Precious Ramotswe stories. This is the third in a series that shows no signs of flagging as yet, and indeed which seems richer, deeper and more spellbinding each novel you read.

MORALITY FOR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS follows the same template as before, although the detective cases here seem even more of an excuse to have Smith reflecting on aspects of life applicable to both Botswana and the world in general.

Here, we take a look at dysfunctional families, depression and female morality, and it’s all explored in a funny, heartwarming way. Fans of the series will appreciate this one just as much while newcomers to the fold should have a ball.

Call it a “gentle read” or a “cozy mystery,” Morality for Beautiful Girls is a charming and easy read. Morality was written by Alexander McCall Smith, himself a fascinating character as a Rhodesian-born Scottish writer with a Ph.D. in law and a plethora of books, fiction and non, under his belt. It is the third in his series entitled The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, which feature the plucky Precious Ramotswe, her heart of gold, and the community mysteries in her beloved contemporary Botswana.

Morality is partly mystery-solving of course, but mostly conversations among neighbors; between colleagues; and about that which makes Botswana run. As in the previous Ladies Detective Agency novels, Ramotswe is faced with one challenge after another, from assisting a Government Man who suspects his brother has been poisoned; to tending to her ailing fiancé; to training her protégé detective/manager. But we as readers never feel too worried; never fret the tasks may be too great for the Agency. Rather we move at the pace of Africa; sharing bush tea with neighbors along the road to solving mysteries.

If you’re familiar with Smith’s other cozy reads, this fits the same mold: slowly paced plot; quirky characters who frequently banter in jest; some contemplations on life’s meaning; and a domesticated, rural setting. Morality is endearing and simple. But, as the book progressed, I grew to appreciate the ever-present themes of feminism and women’s rights. Smart, hard-working, independent women are praised throughout; and in a place traditionally run by dominant males (marriage “gave men most of the rights and left women with the duties” pg. 140), Smith’s empowered female leads were a treat to observe.

Ramotswe’s Agency seeks to “help people in need to resolve the unresolved questions in their lives” (59), through patient observation and very little drama. If such an approach sounds suitable to you, this hopeful, peaceful book may be a good addition to your nightstand.

I liked these books to begin with but I don't know if I have become more suspicious of the "innocence" of texts (and of this author since reading his version of Emma) , or this one was more clear in its ideology than the ones I read formerly.

On the surface it is a story from the point of Precious Ramotswe, a woman in Botswana. She's a character the reader WANTS to believe in, because she is sassy and kind-hearted and all the things we stereotypically put on black women in remote parts of the world to be. The book, in a superficial sort of a way looks at the eistance of poverty (really glosses over it) but ignores the ways colonialism contributed to poverty in Africa and paints an idyllic and exoticised view of rural Africa. Any problems (or corruption and family-life issues) have an individual cause- those people over there are flawed in some way and should listen to the ideology spouted through fictional wise black women written by a white male author.

I initially assumed the author meant well but got in way over his head with portraying an "other" culture. I thought "Precious" is a good name for the character because the writing style and storytelling is precious for the most part, but as the story progressed the ideaology became less and less masked. There were long ranting paragraphs in the heads of both Mma Ramotswe and her assistant covering gender politics (men are inevitably difficult and women want to take care of them, p137, while women give lip service to the idea of independence they are happiest married and doing more than their share of the labour, p137 women ought to be put on a pedestal for being hard-working, p103 but without real feminist critique that would actually bring about change, men objectify women and this is essentially part of what it is to be male (or possibly African male) and not deeply problematic, we can shake our heads but not try to change it, p153, gender inequality while sad is inevitable 204), morality (morality is a clearcut thing and what is wrong with the world is people attempting to deconstruct absolutes, p75, people are inherently selfish and untrustworthy.

I think often real problems are pointed out but dealt with in a superficial "opium of the masses" sort of a way, not critically.

Apart from the ideology being the antithesis of everything I look for in a book, it was also dull when one of the characters sunk into their own thoughts like this, it was crudely done and tedious and there was far too much of it. I liked that there was a fairly decent (though still superficial) treatment of depression that was anti-stigmatising.

The two cases the "detective agency" solved were in this case a bit bland and disappointing. Some readers who are less sourpuss than me might enjoy this book as escapism. I did not.

I adore this series, but I don’t think I would recommend this book to someone looking for a mystery, because despite the name of the series, and the blurb, it is not really a mystery. Or at least it isn’t a classic whodunnit.

For example, in this story the detective Precious Ramotswe doesn’t really start her investigation into the main mystery of the book until the more then half the story is told. What is so much more important than the mystery itself, are the lives of the characters themselves.

The fact that the mystery isn’t all that interesting could mean that as a genre novel it would fail, but it is just so much fun to watch these characters. The voice of the story, and the characters are just so likable that I keep coming back to this series.

I had to take another trip to Africa to get my cup of sunshine. It’s almost like taking a drug, needing more stories from Botswana to keep my spirit alive. Now I feel rejuvenated again and can start my day.

He writes fast, and it shows. All his books are padded with unnecessary words, but pleasant stories. This one, a mystery-fiction tale of sorts, was lite and a very quick read. If you want something easy and uplifting, he's for you.
What got me rankled was the "simplicity" of the characters portrayed. They appear to be discovering basic manners and the teachers aren't much more sophisticated, or more real, than those learning the lessons. Portraying his world as as clear and uncomplicated as he does, I am disappointed.

Another charming book from the number one ladies detective agency. Life for Mma Ramotswe becomes very hectic and stressful but with her uncanny good nature and with her reliable secretary, she move forward. Great role model for young women all around.

This is an entry consistent with the prior two books in this delightful series, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Tears of the Giraffe.The focus here is on beauty and young women. Precious helps a politician who believes that his younger brother’s beautiful young wife is poisoning him. Rawotse’s assistant gets a case of her own, in which she helps the head of a beauty pageant determine which of the finalists is a truly honest girl. Mister Matekoni, Precious’ fiancée, is suffering from depression, and she sees that he is properly taken care of at a local orphanage. He has a secret that is not revealed in this book, something he is ashamed of and that for reasons unknown has emerged to haunt him. A young feral boy is found in the bush, possibly raised by lions, and innocent of language. He winds up at the orphanage in the care of Mister Matekoni. Precious is losing money on her business, so decides to share facilities with her fiancée. As his depression has left him incapacitated, her assistant is engaged to help run the garage. And she proves to be quite the manager, surprisingly effective at motivating the girl-chasing crew. Again, the world created here is vivid, and depicted with obvious affection. The stories remain diverse and interesting, the writing simple yet beautiful.

This series (The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency) NEVER lets me down. I space it out between other reading and return to it when I need some "dessert". Mma Romatswe is such a breath of fresh air that my twin sister and I fantasize of one day following her lead and opening a "Detective Agency" with the similar skills of "preciposity" and a traditional build. The author possesses rare skill of capturing the essence and beauty of human nature, with poetic images of Africa as a backdrop. I will definitely be back for the next installment in the series, like a kid to a candy shop.