The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (novel)

infobox Book |
name = The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
orig title =
translator =


image_caption = recent audio edition cover
author = Alexander McCall Smith
cover_artist =
country = Scotland
language = English
series = The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series
genre = Detective, Mystery novel
publisher = Polygon
release_date = 1999
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 256 pp (first edition, paperback)
isbn = ISBN 0-7486-6252-9 (first edition, paperback)
preceded_by = -
followed_by = Tears Of The Giraffe

"The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" is the first of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith, set in Gaborone, Botswana, and featuring the Motswana protagonist Precious Ramotswe.

Plot summary

Mma Precious Ramotswe becomes a private detective, the first woman in Botswana to enter that profession, and opens an agency whose name indicates this unique situation. Motivated to help others and to make Botswana a better place, she encounters many dangerous and risky obstacles in the course of her investigations, but succeeds through using her intelligence, courage and instinct. Along with the plot developments, Mma Ramotswe provides observations upon the fine qualities of Botswana and Africa: the culture, traditions, and natural beauties found there, and the inhabitants' pride in their land.

Themes

National identity

In the second chapter, the author states, through Obed’s character, that Precious’ father is proud to be a Motswana because of Botswana's political stability. He says that they never had political prisoners, that their banks are full of money and that they owe nothing. Alexander McCall Smith describes Mma Ramotswe as an African patriot, who loves Africa "for all its trials."

Traditions

Moreover, through the descriptions and images between the characters of this novel, Alexander McCall Smith shows how welcoming and warm-hearted Africans can be. He shows us the African values and traditions of these people. Family values are extremely important to this nation. Even Mma Ramotswe with all her modern views and ideologies, wants to buy a house when she retires, and live with her cousins and loved ones. “She would buy a house, or build one perhaps, and ask some of her cousins to live with her. They would grow melons on the lands and might even buy a small shop in the village…”

Mma Ramotswe is portrayed as someone who loves "all the people that God made", but especially loves the "people who live in this place" and says that “they are my people, my brothers and sisters.”

Animals

Africa is also portrayed by the numerous animals and wild creatures who live there. These animals are described by the author with much passion. He shows how dangerous yet loved and respected they are. For example the cattle in Africa are portrayed with great importance. The author even shows us that they are an important currency for the economy - the more cattle you own, the more power you have. However, Alexander McCall Smith does not hide the fact that Africa is home to many dangerous and some of the most feared creatures. In fact he describes the snakes and the crocodiles with great emotion and drama. For example, in the case of the missing husband who had been eaten by a crocodile, the author describes how dangerous Africa can be. There are also many incidents where snakes and their intrusive and sneaky way are mentioned. The author shows these images of Africa and sets a certain setting to all of these incidents to say that even if this continent might be dangerous and wild at times, it is nonetheless unique and majestic.

Film, television, and theatrical adaptations

An adaptation for the screen "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" was made in 2007, directed by Anthony Minghella (who also co-wrote the screenplay, with Richard Curtis. A movie for TV made jointly by the BBC, HBO and some other production companies, it was broadcast in the UK on BBC1 television on Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008.