Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Tears of Joy July 5, 2008
This is the second book in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series, and begins as the first book finishes. Unlike other sequels there is no intervening period, which will therefore need explaining throughout the book, just in case you did not read the first.
You need to read the first, to understand the characters of Mma Ramotswe, Mr J L B Maketoni and Mma Makutsi and the relationships they have between them. Along with beautiful setting of Botswana. The descriptions of the area and places further a field are still rich and colourful, giving a true sense of the place.
There are many storylines running concurrently through the book; the engagement of Mma Ramotswe and Mr J L B Maketoni which everyone is talking about, and how they are a suited match. The promotion of Mma Makutsi to the highly qualified secretary late of the Khalari typing school to assistant detective and her first assignment which causes all moral cause to think of the correct result for the client.
Mr J L B Maketoni's dedication to helping the machinery at the local orphan farm (do not be put off by this, it is not a farm in its truest sense) leads to him adopting two children who have had a very bad start to life. He fails to consult Mma Ramotswe, about this decision but because he knows she is an amazing woman, she accepts these children as her own and starts to build a life for them as well a home, for when she finally marries Mr J L B Maketoni.
The main storyline throughout is of the American woman who comes to find out what happened to her son some ten years previous when he seemingly disappeared from a local project he was working on. She does not want justice; she wants some sort of finality into her missing son so she can finally lay that part of her life to rest. Mma Ramotswe spends a lot of time, energy and cleverly uses lies and blackmail (when she does it, it somehow does not seem dishonest) to find out the truth of ten years previous.
This is a lovely read, pure escapism and pure joy. I have come somewhat late to discovering these stories, but I a endeavouring to catch up with them and will seek out book three, I know I am guaranteed a good read.
Another good read January 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
There is no doubt that these books continue to keep the reader interested as the lives of the characters develop with each new story. The book as always gently unfolds a story that can be picked up and put down with ease and will always be read again.
A fantastic story August 15, 2006
A fast flowing story set, Tears of the Giraffe is one of the best books I have read. With good values expressed through characters that are lively, this book showed a beautiful side of Africa, where commitment is held sacred, where love is deep and hospitality is the norm. Fast paced and hilarious, this book hooked me all the more to the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.Also recommended: The Usurper by Janvier Tisi, The Full Cupboard of Life, Disgrace
An outstanding audiobook April 15, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Adjoa Andoh reads Tears of a Giraffe brilliantly. She perfectly captures the spirit of the novel; making use of a wide range of African accents to great effect. The novel is first-rate and Andoh enhances the book with great emphathy. Listening to this CD set is an excellent way of spending six hours!
 What a mouthful? February 11, 2006
6 out of 14 found this review helpful
Although I'm a great fan of Mr A M Smith's books, I do find that Mr A M Smith can often repeat the name of his character, Mr J L B Maketoni rather too often throughout the whole of Tears of the Giraffe. Can Mr A M Smith not give Mr J L B Maketoni a first name or refer to him as "him" on occasion? I found the reference to Mr J L B Maketoni upset the flow of the story which made it less enjoyable and not quite the light easy read I had enjoyed in the first book of the series. The storyline picked up and got better towards the end (especially if you didn't read Mr J L B Maketoni) but I'm not sure whether I can endure any more Mr J L B Maketoni references in future books. This is a shame as I really enjoyed the first book. On a plus point, if you're an Alexander McCall Smith fan, I can highly recommend 44 Scotland Street and Espresso Tales - not to be missed and not a Mr J L B Maketoni reference in sight - thankfully!!
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