Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
 A lovely, warm and fuzzy novel March 4, 2010
Julia Flyte
53 out of 53 found this review helpful
This is the 11th installment in Alexander McCall Smith's enchanting and uplifting series about a female detective living in Botswana. It is not necessary to have read ALL the other books in the series, but if you haven't read any, this is probably not the best place to start.
The structure is very similar to others in the series, with the familiar cast of characters appearing. There are essentially four interwoven storylines. Mma Makutsi's fiance Mr Phuti Radiphuti is in an accident and she clashes with his aunt over who should nurse him back to health. Meanwhile, Mma Ramotswe has several cases on the go. She is asked to investigate whether a husband is being unfaithful, to assist another man who has been swindled out of his money and travels with Mma Makutsi to the Okavango Delta to track down a safari guide who has been left some money in a will. However the storylines often take a backseat to discussions about teapots, new boots and the merits of the new blue van.
The book opens with Mr J L B Matekoni musing about road rage and the futility of reacting to it and it ends with Mma Ramotswe musing about how to lead a good life. "Do not complain about your life. Do not blame others for things that you have brought upon yourself. Be content with who you are and where you are, and do whatever you can to bring to others such contentment, and joy, and understanding that you have managed to find yourself."
It's a lovely, warm and fuzzy novel that lives up in every way to the others in this gorgeous series.
Our favourite novelist does it again March 8, 2010
C. Catherwood (Cambridge UK and Richmond VA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Our favourite novelist has done it again - another magnificent Ramotswe novel. Seldom is no.2 as good as no.1, but in this case no.11 is as good as the previous ten, and all the wonderful cast of characters whom we have come to love are back and with as much enjoyment as ever.
Lions and people March 8, 2010
Damaskcat (UK)
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
Precious Ramotswe has several interesting cases to deal with in this latest story from Botswana. There is her friend the midwife who wonders whether her husband is having an affair; the unexpected commission from America which involves her going to a safari camp to track down a guide; and her own assistant Grace Makutsi has a problem when her fiancé is injured.
As usual, common sense and old fashioned values are essential in solving the various problems. In between interesting observations on human nature Precious reflects on the beauty of her own country and the way the old fashioned values still prevail with most people. Even in her husband's garage business the unruly apprentices are calming down as they get older and more experienced at their jobs.
I love the gentle humour of this series and the way Mma Ramotswe triumphs in the end through sheer perseverance and good humour and how she steers her prickly assistant in the right direction without offending her. There are lessons for all of us in this low key novel. Very enjoyable.
Double comfort April 14, 2010
Susan A. Le Chat (United Kingdom)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As ever, as really good read. McCall Smith can be relied upon to spin a good yarn. Easy reading with great charm and the ever appealing characters, by now well known and loved. I am never disappointed by Mme Ramotswe and her co-conspirators in the books.
The Sweetness of Life June 6, 2010
Professor Donald Mitchell (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 96,000 Helpful Votes Globally)
"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." -- Proverbs 16:24 (NKJV)
The Double Comfort Safari Club ranks among the finest books in this superb series, evoking memories of an earlier Botswana when people cared about one another, the land, and their cattle. Alexander McCall Smith provides a loving microcosm of what humanity has lost around the world, portrayed with gentle humor. Mma Precious Ramotswe once again represents the values of the older traditions as she seeks not so much to solve crimes as to seek gentle harmony. Mma Makutsi symbolizes the ambitious strivers who want to get ahead but whose hearts are still mostly pure. Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni is a man who cares about his work and his family . . . and is content, a model of what happiness should be.
The book presents Precious with a series of challenges, all of which seem quite difficult to surmount at some point . . . until the inner harmony of natural living emerges. A husband and wife suspect each other of infidelity. A man has lost his inheritance in a swindle. A grateful tourist leaves a legacy to someone who needs to be tracked down. Phuti Radiphuti's aunt tries to freeze out Mma Makutsi.
The humor in the book is mostly provided by Mma Makutsi's love of shoes. As the two detectives prepare to search for a missing heir, Alexander McCall Smith has written one of his finest sequences about what a business trip can be like.
The book begins with a beautiful sequence where Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni tries to think like his wife. It's precious!
Come prepared with love in your heart, a smile on your face, and good will towards all.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 34
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