Scan barcode
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
4.0
Smith has developed a wonderful cadence in his No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Even so, the series depends on the wisdom of Mme Ramotswe and the friction of Mme Makutsi. I felt very worried for the agency and leaving Grace in charge, particularly since she is pushing her employer away. The beauty of the relationship between these two strong women is the ...
To read the full review go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
To read the full review go to www.talesuntangled.wordpress.com
katzreads's review against another edition
4.0
Very entertaining! Not really much of a mystery, but delightful characters.
lindsaymay92's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
We are back in sunny Botswana for the 16th instalment in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. While the initial books in the series were quite plot driven, it has evolved to a series that is much more about the characters with a thin, almost token, plot thrown in for good measure. Like the others, this is a charming book that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy about life, but I have to say that there isn't a lot to it.
Precious Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi to take a short holiday from work. The idea is that she will have a quiet time relaxing at home, but she finds it difficult to let work go. When Mr Polopetsi comes to her asking for help with a work assignment, she cannot resist the temptation to get involved without Mma Makutsi's knowledge. If, like me, you occasionally find Mma Makutsi annoying, you will find her extremely irritating this time around, although by the end of the book you may be thinking about the risks of jumping to conclusions. There are also a couple of smaller sub-plots but each takes up only a few pages towards the end of the book, which then stops quite abruptly as if Alexander McCall Smith's editor had rung up and said "it'll be fine, just send it now please".
What is lovely about these books is that reading them almost feels like taking a holiday. You are transported to a sunny and relaxed country where there is always time to exchange pleasantries or savour a cup of tea. There are also gentle lessons about trusting people and treating them well. The title itself refers to Mma Ramotswe's relationship with Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and how being loved and admired by him is "like walking in sunshine".
Precious Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi to take a short holiday from work. The idea is that she will have a quiet time relaxing at home, but she finds it difficult to let work go. When Mr Polopetsi comes to her asking for help with a work assignment, she cannot resist the temptation to get involved without Mma Makutsi's knowledge. If, like me, you occasionally find Mma Makutsi annoying, you will find her extremely irritating this time around, although by the end of the book you may be thinking about the risks of jumping to conclusions. There are also a couple of smaller sub-plots but each takes up only a few pages towards the end of the book, which then stops quite abruptly as if Alexander McCall Smith's editor had rung up and said "it'll be fine, just send it now please".
What is lovely about these books is that reading them almost feels like taking a holiday. You are transported to a sunny and relaxed country where there is always time to exchange pleasantries or savour a cup of tea. There are also gentle lessons about trusting people and treating them well. The title itself refers to Mma Ramotswe's relationship with Mr J.L.B. Matekoni and how being loved and admired by him is "like walking in sunshine".
ridgewaygirl's review against another edition
2.0
I think that Alexander McCall Smith is getting a little tired of writing The Number One Ladies Detective Agency books, because The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine felt both tired and stale. In this installation, Mma Ramotswe takes a vacation, forced into it unwillingly by Mma Makutsi and Mr. JLB Maketoni. The mystery is so slight, it doesn't show up until halfway through, and could have been solved by a simple conversation between two characters who frequently discuss things. I will not give away whether or not Mma Ramotswe was able to get to the bottom of it.
The thing that made this series such pleasant reading for me has to do with the basic good nature and empathetic dispositions of all of the characters, especially Mma Ramotswe. This book largely follows her thinking things to herself, most of which is recycled from previous books. A few of her less sympathetic musings seem more in keeping with the author's experiences than Mma Ramotswe, and in this book the references to her traditional build felt less good natured than usual. I disapprove of this new tendency for her to subdue bad characters by sitting on them.
I hope this installation is merely a hiccup in what has been a fine and enjoyable series of light mystery novels.
The thing that made this series such pleasant reading for me has to do with the basic good nature and empathetic dispositions of all of the characters, especially Mma Ramotswe. This book largely follows her thinking things to herself, most of which is recycled from previous books. A few of her less sympathetic musings seem more in keeping with the author's experiences than Mma Ramotswe, and in this book the references to her traditional build felt less good natured than usual. I disapprove of this new tendency for her to subdue bad characters by sitting on them.
I hope this installation is merely a hiccup in what has been a fine and enjoyable series of light mystery novels.
littletaiko's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not a follower of this series as the first book just didn't do much for me. This time I'm reading for my RL book club and while I can appreciate the genaral charm of the characters, the dialogue drove me up a wall. It was so stilted and everyone takes forever to get to the point. These are probably good books if you need to take a break from some heavier reading, but it's nothing that I would seek out.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
3.0
Sadly this series is starting to get a bit repetitive. Still enjoyable though, like a comfortable sweater.
400mom's review against another edition
4.0
Another gentle walk with an old friend, who is very wise and very kind. I liked this one because it rounded the edges on Grace Makutsi a little and because of the way it portrayed love and friendship.
sshouse's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to like this book. However, think that I am now done with the series. Finishing it felt like work and I skimmed the end. Disappointing.
karenleagermain's review against another edition
3.0
The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine is the sixteenth book in Alexander McCall Smith's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. It's amazing to me that I've been following these characters since 1998. I'm even more astounded by Smith's productivity. He writes several different series and stand-alone books for both adults and children, releasing multiple books every year. I can't think of a contemporary author who is more prolific. Maybe he's dreaming of taking a vacation like Mma Ramotswe? Keep writing Smith!
PLOT - Workholic Mma Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi, to take a much deserved vacation. However, Mma Ramotswe cannot help but be a detective, even while attempting to take a break. Mr. Polopetsi has been given a temporary job in the agency and Mma Makutsi is determined to show that she can handle things while Mma Ramotswe is on holiday. To complicate matters, Mr. Polopetsi asks for Mma Ramotswe's help, when he fears that Mma Makutsi has a case that she cannot handle.
LIKE- In this series, characters always take center stage. Sixteen books and I still can't get enough of this story world and its inhabitants. Smith has a wonderful understanding of human nature and I get a kick out of how his characters interact, both the manners and the subtext.
I enjoyed the secondary plot line of Mma Ramotswe saving a young child and finding out what happened to his mother. The ending of the book is sentimental and touching. There are plenty of thought provoking themes woven throughout the story involving honesty, friendship, and secrecy.
DISLIKE- This is one of the weaker books in the series. The big mystery involving the Potokwane family, wasn't very compelling. The only compelling component is the way it handled scandal, with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi showing compassion towards Mma Potokwane. Similarly, the confrontation with Violet Sephotho, Mma Makutsi's arch enemy, lacked impact.
RECOMMEND- If you're a fan of the series, you have to read The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, not because it's the best, but simply because who can skip any books in a series? I can't. If this is your first experience with Smith or the series, don't pick this book to start.
As a bonus, check out Smith's author page. I like the cheerful music!
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT - Workholic Mma Ramotswe is convinced by Mma Makutsi, to take a much deserved vacation. However, Mma Ramotswe cannot help but be a detective, even while attempting to take a break. Mr. Polopetsi has been given a temporary job in the agency and Mma Makutsi is determined to show that she can handle things while Mma Ramotswe is on holiday. To complicate matters, Mr. Polopetsi asks for Mma Ramotswe's help, when he fears that Mma Makutsi has a case that she cannot handle.
LIKE- In this series, characters always take center stage. Sixteen books and I still can't get enough of this story world and its inhabitants. Smith has a wonderful understanding of human nature and I get a kick out of how his characters interact, both the manners and the subtext.
I enjoyed the secondary plot line of Mma Ramotswe saving a young child and finding out what happened to his mother. The ending of the book is sentimental and touching. There are plenty of thought provoking themes woven throughout the story involving honesty, friendship, and secrecy.
DISLIKE- This is one of the weaker books in the series. The big mystery involving the Potokwane family, wasn't very compelling. The only compelling component is the way it handled scandal, with Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi showing compassion towards Mma Potokwane. Similarly, the confrontation with Violet Sephotho, Mma Makutsi's arch enemy, lacked impact.
RECOMMEND- If you're a fan of the series, you have to read The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine, not because it's the best, but simply because who can skip any books in a series? I can't. If this is your first experience with Smith or the series, don't pick this book to start.
As a bonus, check out Smith's author page. I like the cheerful music!
Like my review? Check out my blog!