LoveReading Expert Review of To the Land of Long Lost Friends
A gently witty, warm and compassionate addition to the celebrated series featuring private detective Mma Ramotswe.
So beautifully written you can just slip into this gentle wander through Botswana alongside the kind and astute investigations of Mma Ramotswe. During a quiet patch at the agency, Precious has friends in need and Charlie is placed in a difficult position. If you haven’t read any of this much loved series, do start at the beginning with the aptly named The No:1 Ladies Detective Agency. We are now at the twentieth novel and the absolute charm of these books is in getting to know the characters (Mma Makutsi is a personal favourite). Alexander McCall Smith excels in creating a light yet warm atmosphere where he quietly looks at complex issues. Human nature in all its wonder is examined with mellow observations and compassionate wit sitting alongside the vivid heat of Botswana as it waits for rain. To The Land Of Long Lost Friends is a lovely, affectionate read and a fine addition to this celebrated series.
Find out more about Alexander McCall Smith in our Book Chat blog post.
To the Land of Long Lost Friends Synopsis
The one with the mysterious reverend . . .
At a local wedding, Mma Ramotswe reunites with a friend whose daughter has inexplicably turned away from her. Elsewhere, several ladies in the region fall under the spell of a charismatic self-styled reverend. With little work on at the agency, Precious and Mma Makutsi see no harm in looking into such curious events. Meanwhile, Charlie is anxious. How can he, the part-time detective, secure his love's hand in marriage? Even in the quietest months, it seems, there's plenty for the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency to investigate . . .
About This Edition
| ISBN: | 9780349143286 |
| Publication date: | 6th August 2020 |
| Author: | Alexander McCall Smith |
| Publisher: | Abacus an imprint of Little, Brown Book Group |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 240 pages |
| Collections: | 80+ Humorous Novels - from Wry and Sly Observations to Outright Chuckles and Laughter., |
| Primary Genre | Feel-Good Fiction |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
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To the Land of Long Lost Friends Reader Reviews
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title.
Anyone who enjoys this series of books is sure to enjoy this latest one as much as I did.
I love this series of books and was delighted to receive a review copy of this novel. It was the perfect remedy for these difficult times,with all the familiar characters and settings, and a new investigation for Mma Ramotswe. There is humour, wisdom and a touch of sadness with the introduction of little Daisy, a child from Mma Potokwani’s orphanage who goes to live with Precious while she awaits a new foster family. I enjoyed the thread about Charlie and his constant wish for Mma Makutsi’s approval, and liked the way the story of his introduction to his fiancée’s father developed.
Anyone who enjoys this series of books is sure to enjoy this latest one as much as I did. I always feel the world is a better place when I’ve finished reading one of Alexander McCall Smith’s books, and this time was no exception.
As soon as a new title in this series comes out, it goes straight on my to read list.
This book is part of the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. As soon as a new title in this series comes out, it goes straight on my to read list. There is something irresistibly charming about all the books in the series and this one is no exception. In To the Land of Long Lost Friends, we are treated to a slice of colourful Botswana life with a series of mysteries unfolding. Even when there are no clients in sight, the No 1 Ladies find themselves investigating some curious local goings on just for the pure satisfaction of it. Escape your daily routine and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of laidback Gaborone. Reading this book was like catching up with old friends. Thoroughly recommended.
Reading the latest No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency title was like meeting up with my own long, lost friend.
MMA Ramotswe has a shock when she sees a friend at a wedding who is dead. It turns out there was an identity mix-up and MMA Ramotswe is thrown into another investigation unwittingly.
Another lovely instalment in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. MMA Ramotswe is still loveable and intelligent as ever.
Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi return to solve some more puzzles and help both old friends and new clients. Warm and sunny but with serious undertones.
I’ve been reading The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series ever since I chanced upon the first one. To say they are charming could be construed as rather dismissive, but they ARE utterly charming. They tell tales of everyday life and the sort of problems that can be experienced by many. The mysteries that Mma Ramotswe and her sidekick Mma Makutsi solve are dealt with discreetly, sympathetically and with a real sense of morality. Now, they are assisted by young Charlie, the part-time detective, and we learn of his hopes and his desire to make a good life and marriage. There is a very serious thread running through all the stories - traditional life and how it is affected by progress and modernity, and how people live and adapt to new conditions while not losing sight and touch of the past. The books give a real flavour of Botswana, it’s history and geography, it’s climate both literal and political. It has been very enjoyable to meet all those familiar faces once again.
Other editions of this book
ISBN: 9780349143286
Publication date: 06/08/2020
Format: Paperback
About Alexander McCall Smith
Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the highly successful No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which has sold over twenty-five million copies. Since then he has devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world. These include the 44 Scotland Street novels, first published as a serial novel in the Scotsman, the Isabel Dalhousie novels, the Von Igelfeld series and the Corduroy Mansions novels. — New York Times Alexander McCall Smith, often referred to as ‘Sandy’, ...
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