Reviews

How to Raise an Elephant by Alexander McCall Smith

book_concierge's review against another edition

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3.0

Digital audiobook narrated by Adjoa Andoh


Book # 21 in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series set in Botswana and featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe and the other employees (partners?) of the agency, as well as friends and relatives.

I’ve skipped a couple of books in the series, because I needed an elephant on the cover for a challenge. I’m sorry I did so because now I know how certain relationships will play out and that will likely spoil the fun for me. Oh well, it’s still nice to visit with friends, and enjoy a cup of (red bush) tea as we ponder life’s mysteries.

As is typical for this series, the mysteries are not murders, but a cousin who has some financial difficulties, or a woman with a straying husband, and also figuring out why the suspension in Mma Ramotswe’s beloved little white van seems to have gone bad … not to mention the peculiar smell coming from the back of the van.

I’ve always liked listening to the audiobooks chiefly because of the stellar performance by Lisette Lecat. But this time the narrator is Adjoa Andoh. Now, Ms Andoh is a talented voice artist and I’ve listened to other audiobooks she has narrated, but this time… Oh my stars, but this is terrible. She exaggerates the accents to the point of caricature, and totally UNflattering caricature at that. ZERO stars for the audio performance.

alidottie's review against another edition

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4.0

As much as I love this series, I started to have a harder time than ever before with all the sidetracked conversations and discussions that delay the movement of the story. I think this is usually what makes the books different and endearing, but I guess I just wasn't in the mood for that this week!

jacquettareads's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

4.0

mystery_reader_24's review against another edition

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lighthearted

3.25

kiminindy's review against another edition

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4.0

I always love these light hearted books. Precious has some new neighbors and Charlie is raising a baby elephant.... of course everything works out in the end with a nice lesson....

lsparrow's review against another edition

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3.0

i enjoy the characters in this series. although the mystery in this one did not have me hooked.

shaylag's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

bookish79's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

soniapage's review against another edition

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5.0

So nice to have this to read right now. Drag out the map of Botswana to follow the trip to Maun at the end of the book. And there's a little elephant too!

kyapw's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5