Title: The Kalahari Typing School for Men
Author: Alexander McCall Smith
First published April 29, 2003
210 pages, Paperback
Rating: 4.01
Overview
Join Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s first and only lady detective, as she faces new challenges in The Kalahari Typing School for Men. With her detective agency established, Mma Ramotswe finds herself juggling family life, a good fiancé, and a team of loyal assistants.
But when her adopted son is caught responsible for a dead bird and her assistant Mma Makutsi has an ambitious plan to open a typing school for men, Precious must use her cunning and profound moral methods to navigate these tricky situations. To make matters worse, her rival has opened a detective agency right across town.
Will Mma Ramotswe be able to save the day once again? Find out in the fourth volume of the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series.
About the Author
Meet Alexander McCall Smith – a renowned author with a global fan base. He has written several popular series like The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Isabel Dalhousie, Portuguese Irregular Verbs, and 44 Scotland Street.
But did you know that he was also a law professor at the University of Botswana and is now a professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland? He has been involved with several national and international bodies dealing with bioethics.
Originally from what is now Zimbabwe, Alexander McCall Smith currently resides in Scotland. Connect with him through his website and social media accounts.
Editoral Review
“The Kalahari Typing School for Men” by Alexander McCall Smith is a heartwarming and charming novel that is sure to delight fans of the author’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Published on April 29, 2003, this book is the fourth installment in the series and continues the story of the beloved protagonist, Mma Precious Ramotswe.
Set in the beautiful and rugged landscape of Botswana, the novel follows Mma Ramotswe as she navigates the ups and downs of life, love, and business. The plot centers around the establishment of the Kalahari Typing School for Men, which aims to teach the men of the town how to type and improve their job prospects.
However, things don’t go as smoothly as planned, and Mma Ramotswe must use her wit and wisdom to overcome the obstacles in her path.
One of the strengths of this novel is its vivid and evocative setting. McCall Smith has a talent for bringing the landscape and culture of Botswana to life, and readers will feel transported to this unique and fascinating part of the world.
The characters are also well-drawn and endearing, particularly Mma Ramotswe, who is a smart, savvy, and compassionate protagonist.
Another notable aspect of this book is the way it addresses important themes such as gender roles, racism, and economic inequality. McCall Smith does this in a thoughtful and nuanced way, weaving these issues into the fabric of the story without being heavy-handed or didactic.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the pacing to be slow, and the plot twists to be predictable.
Additionally, the book may not appeal to those who prefer more action-packed or suspenseful stories.
Overall, “The Kalahari Typing School for Men” is a delightful and engaging novel that will appeal to fans of cozy mysteries and heartwarming stories. It is a testament to McCall Smith’s skill as a writer that he is able to create such a charming and memorable world, and his ability to address important themes while still entertaining his readers is commendable.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
