This is the fifth entry in this gentle series. Mma Ramotswe channels Mma Potokwani’s initiative and drive to both her and Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni’s benefit which was both amusing and satisfying for anyone reading this series since book one. The mystery aspect of it is almost non-existent. A wealthy client engages the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency to help her choose between five suitors for her hand. In the meantime, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni runs into trouble with a rival, less ethical car repair garage.

Similar to Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series or Barbara Peter’s Amelia Peabody books, I think most readers come back for the loveable characters, not the plot. As in previous books, I am sometimes exasperated at the rather conservative attitudes of the author. Sure, some of what Mma Ramotswe (or Mma Makutsi) advocates for could be considered feminist, but there is so much emphasis in the narration about how tradition is superior to modern ways and how men must be manipulated by women, how women are really superior to men despite men having the majority of power, etc.

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“A life without stories would be no life at all. And stories bound us,
did they not, one to another, the living to the dead, people to
animals, people to the land?”― Alexander McCall Smith

Perhaps you think a book about a detective agency must be about murder. This one is not about murder. It does not have arson. Nor does it have burglary or robbery. It does have a little larceny. A story with a small amount of larceny will not hurt you if you read quickly enough..

Mma Ramotswe is the detective. She says she has a traditional build. By this, she means that her dresses have to be big. She also has a big heart.

She wants the women in Botswana to have equal opportunities with men. She also thinks the people in Botswana should maintain many of their traditional values. She should make up her mind.

Mma Ramotswe believes that women are smarter than men and need to make the decisions. Here a passage from the book that shows this: ”It is only now, in these modern days, with men getting ideas about running their lives without any help from women—those dangerous, bad ideas—it is only now that we see how much these poor men need our assistance. It is a very sad thing.” . . . “Yes,” said Mma Ramotswe. “We all know that it is women who make the decisions, but we have to let men think that the decisions are theirs. It is an act of kindness on the part of women.”

Mma Ramotswe is very clever. The woman who runs the orphan farm manipulates Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, who is Mma Ramotswe’s fiancée, into agreeing to do a parachute jump to earn money for the orphanage. Mma Ramotswe does not want her fiancée to go splat. She also does not want to hurt his feelings because men with hurt feelings get stubborn. Also, her fiancée may not want to marry her if she hurts his feelings. But she is very wise and knows how to solve problems.

Mma Ramotswe believes that the more books people have the better. She thinks that books and the people who know how to use them are the future. You should get yourself this book. Maybe you shall become wise too.

This is the first of these books that I listened to on a CD and I highly recommend it. I've loved the series from the beginning, but hearing the book read with the right pronunciation and the gently flowing voice of the reader makes them even better.

Again, this book is not about the mystery or the plot. It is a slice of the life of Mma Precious Ramotswe and the people who surround her. The book is filled with bits of philosophy and down to earth wisdom. Each of the characters is more developed, but none as much as Mma Potokwane, director of the large orphanage. Botswana has the highest percentage of AIDS/HIV cases in Africa, or in the world. Vast numbers of children are left orphans and while this book does not devote a lot of time to the problem, it is an ever present reality. Mma Potokwane is a large overbearing woman of great heart and soul. She loves her orphans and has had to beg, borrow and steal to get their needs met. She takes advantage of Mr. J. L. B. Matekoni terribly, but with the best intentions. He has repaired just about anything that has an engine and a lot more besides. Still, she genuinely loves, Mr. Matekoni and is willing to mastermind the long awaited wedding with Mma Ramotswe.

The Full Cupboard of Life has rightfully earned a spot on my favourites shelf. Readers will want to devour this book in one sitting. This story brims with warmth and wit. Smith has a deep understanding about human nature and all its eccentricities, and writes with tenderness and humour - a formidable trait in a writer! 5 stars.

These books are so sweet. I love the matter-of-factness of the characters and the way that they speak. The little surprise at the end was precious, too.

С удоволствие чета книжките от тази поредица на Алекзандър Маккол Смит. Уж непретенциозни, нито драматични, нито откровено хумористични, но някак благи, мъдри истории, пропити от човещина и истински.
Няма нужда да ходите на психотерапевт, ако чувствате тревожност или просто нещо в ежедневието ви прави раздразнителни. Вземете една от тези вълшебни книжки за живота на маа Прешъс Рамотсве и неусетно ще погледнете с други очи на живота. Ще си спомните кое е действително важното, ще се усетите пречистени и по-добри, дори има опасност да заобичате ближния.
Продължавам със следващите книги от поредицата. Пристрастяващи са.

Love listening to this series

There is nothing new here, but then I didn't expect it. That's OK. When I choose a No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency book, I'm prepared for a little bit of detective work, but now each book seems to be more about relationships and life too. Very relaxing and enjoyable read, as always. But what fun that there is a wedding at the end. I never get tired of these people and am looking forward to finding out what happens next in their world.

Charming but disappointing. Mma Ramotswe takes on only one private detection case, which remains only half solved. Her private life is still interesting but not nearly so compelling as with the backdrop of Mma solving mysteries in her "tiny white van". Mr. JLB Matekoni agrees to parachute from a plane, and Mma Ramotswe must figure out how to honorably extricate him fro that promise. Surprise ending.

I love these stories. They are short and sweet with wonderful voice and make me want to live in that world. In this book, fifth in the series, I loved the ending especially.

I cannot get enough from this series. It prompted us to actually go to Botswana. It is as fabulous as Smith describes it.

This book is simple in structure, which at first may make one think it is a children's or young adult book. In essence, it can be enjoyed by all age groups. It is culturally rich, bring the values and landscape so close to the reader's senses, you can see, feel, and admire the people of Botswana.

Fall in love with Botswana.

To thoroughly enjoy the book, start with The Number One Ladies Detective Agency, going chronologically to truly follow the story as the characters lives unfold.

The sleuth is contracted to check up on suitors for a rich lady, while her fiance worries about skydiving.

Not a lot going on, really. I think it needed another subplot.