The Full Cupboard of Life (The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series #5) by Alexander McCall Smith

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Mma Precious Ramotswe, founder of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, is a full-figured lady with a very busy and happy life. She has work that challenges and fulfills her. She's engaged to one of the finest mechanics in Botswana -- a man she respects and loves. Her home on Zebra Drive pleases her. Her assistant and protégée, Mma Makutsi (founder of the Kalahari Typing School for Men), is flourishing. And Precious is enjoying managing the lives of the two foster children her fiancé brought to her from the orphan farm. All told, her cupboard of life is practically bursting with blessings.

Of course, even the happiest life has some troubles…and right now Precious has her share of those as well. In this fifth volume of the bestselling series by Alexander McCall Smith, marriage is much on Mma Ramotswe's mind. She's somewhat concerned that, despite the fact she's been engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni for some time now and is absolutely certain of his affection, her beloved has proven most unwilling to set a date to make her the happiest of women. At present, even work offers her little distraction. The case that currently occupies her attention involves still more matrimonial problems, notably checking up on several potential suitors vying for the hand of a wealthy lady who owns a chain of hair braiding salons. Precious knows that her own suitor is an honorable gentleman who would never marry for money or prove otherwise unworthy of any trust that has been placed in him. But it's still not easy for her to be spending so much time in the company of men who do not live by such high standards. And it's worrying her that Mr J.L.B. Matekoni seems to have several other concerns that he's allowing to take precedence over their long-delayed matrimonial plans. Of course, it's only natural for him to be absorbed in properly training the all-too-distractible apprentices in his charge. And it is also perfectly understandable that he would be preoccupied about making the parachute jump for charity that the matron of the orphan farm has arranged. And anyone would worry about confronting the unscrupulous mechanics that did such a terrible job on the valuable old car that is now in his care.

Fortunately, Mma Ramotswe is strong in the traditional Botswanan values of honesty, generosity, and kindness. That makes her a formidable ally for her friends and her clients…and a fearsome opponent for anyone who fails to meet her expectations about proper behavior and responsibility. Alexander McCall Smith was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and was a law professor at the University of Botswana before relocating to Scotland. His knowledge of and affection for the land and people of Africa comes through clearly in the rich descriptions and captivating characters that have made his No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series an international phenomenon. Sue Stone

From the Publisher

In the fifth book in the prodigiously successful series, traditionally built, eminently sensible Mma Precious Ramotswe continues her enterprise at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency in Gaborone, Botswana, a country that is indeed fortunate.

Still engaged to the estimable Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, Mma Ramotswe understands that she should not put too much pressure on him, as he has other concerns, especially a hair-raising request from the ever persuasive Mma Potokwane, matron of the orphan farm. Besides Mma Ramotswe herself has weighty matters on her mind. She has been approached by a wealthy lady to check up on several suitors. Are these men interested in the lady or just her money? This may be a difficult case, but it's just the kind of problem Mma Ramotswe likes and she is, as we know, a very intuitive lady.

The New York Times

The Full Cupboard of Life is by no means oppressively sweet, but it is committed to looking on life's sunny side. And its characters, like the one who watches a special mango ripen on a tree, have a primitivism that is as reductive as it is warm. At one point, someone suggests that "How to Get 97 Percent" would be an appealing title for a book. It's one that could easily be applied to Mr. Smith's big-hearted Botswanan stories. — Janet Maslin

USA Today

Smith once again transports readers to Gaborone, capital of Botswana, home to the gentle but no-nonsense Precious Ramotswe, who relies as much on her intuition as on the facts in her masterful crime-solving.—Kathy Balog

Publishers Weekly

Precious Ramotswe is on the case again in this delightful fifth installment in the bestselling No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, this time assisting the self-made founder of a chain of hairdressing salons who wants to unearth the real intentions of her four suitors, each possibly more interested in her money than her heart. As fans know, though, sleuthing takes second place to folksy storytelling in McCall Smith's wry novels. This time around, Mma Ramotswe is distracted by her long-prolonged engagement to Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, Gaborone's best mechanic; it seems she will never be married, despite her fianc 's honorable intentions. He installs an extra large seatbelt in her car to keep her safe (she is quite comfortable with her "traditional build," despite the new, slender fashion of modern woman), but an altercation with another mechanic and the prospect of a charity parachute jump keep his mind off matrimony. A drive for decency motivates Mma Ramotswe and her friends-among them Mma Potokwani, the imperious matron of the local orphan farm, and Mma Makutsi, assistant at the Ladies' Detective Agency and founder of the Kalahari Typing School for Men-and Smith's talent is in portraying this moral code in a manner that is always engaging. As readers will appreciate, Mma Ramotswe solves her cases-more questions of character, really, than of criminal behavior-in good time. Traditionally built ladies living in the African heat don't tend to hurry, and, at the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, there's always time for another cup of tea. Agent, Robin Straus. (Apr. 20) Forecast: Fans will love the surprise in store for Precious Ramotswe at the end of the novel, and should bump this on bestseller lists. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Thankfully, Mma Precious Ramotswe is back in another delightful adventure. The fifth book in Smith's popular "No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series finds Precious humorously and intuitively pondering her status as the longtime fianc e of Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, as the primary guardian of two children from the orphan farm, and, of course, as the proprietress of Botswana's No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. In addition to her personal life, Mma Precious has taken on the professional tasks of screening suitors for a wealthy salon owner and getting Mr. Matekoni out of a precarious situation. Returning with Mma Ramotswe are the usual cast of memorable supporting characters, and Smith introduces several new and well-drawn personalities. With the charm and visual detail so characteristic of this series, readers are treated to another enchanting slice of Mma Ramotswe's world. Sure to please both enduring fans and new readers, this is highly recommended for all fiction and mystery collections. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 12/03.]-Nicole A. Cooke, Montclair State Univ. Lib., Upper Montclair, NJ Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Adult/High School-In this fifth installment about the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Mma Ramotswe and her assistant, Mma Makutsi, tackle the case of a wealthy woman who wants to know which of her suitors is only after her money. On a personal note, Mma Ramotswe worries over when her fianc will set a date for their marriage, and more urgently, who will replace him in performing the parachute jump, a charity event to raise money for the Orphan Farm. The charm of this series set in Botswana is its wealth of very real characters. By Western standards they may be economically poor, but in terms of pride, love, and happiness, they are rich indeed. Readers will be seduced by the beauty of the land and intrigued by local customs. They will learn about drought and irrigation, about growing pumpkins, braiding hair, and dealing with poisonous snakes. The cases Mma Ramotswe handles are more about solving problems than crimes. Her behavior is governed by good manners, politeness, and honesty, and her favorite tool in the art of detecting is tea, preferably Bush Tea. The book has lots of humor, and optimism softens the tough realities of life. It also has a delightful surprise ending.-Sheila Janega, Fairfax County Public Library, Great Falls, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Another charmingly gossamer mystery for Botswana's premier detective. Mma Precious Ramotswe, of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, often takes on clients whose problems are reflections of her own (The Kalahari Typing School for Men, 2003, etc.). The problems this time involve marriage. Mma Holonga, founder of a chain of hairdressing salons and inventor of the wondrous Special Girl Hair Braiding Preparation, having narrowed the field of men applying for the position of husband to a wealthy woman to four, wants Mma Ramotswe to investigate the finalists and report whether they are more interested in Mma Holonga or in her money. The "traditionally built" Mma Ramotswe takes an especially keen interest in the case because her own engagement to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, the gentlemanly mechanic who shares her Gaborone office building, seems becalmed in an endlessly premarital state; although she can't imagine marrying anyone else, it's becoming difficult to imagine actually marrying Mr J.L.B. Matekoni either. As for her fiance, he's distracted by troubles of his own, from his need to confront his ignoble competitors at First Class Motors to his having been pressured into aiding Mma Silvia Potokwani's orphan farm by signing up subscribers to sponsor a parachute jump she wants him to make. As usual in this enchanting series, Mma Ramotswe provides less detection than advice, and wise advice it turns out to be, even when her clients decline to take it. Agent: Robin Straus/Robin Straus Agency

Product Details

• Table of Contents
• Reading Group Guide
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Table of Contents

Reading Group Guide

1. There are many references in The Full Cupboard of Life to “the old Botswana morality” [p. 7]. In what ways is Mma Ramotswe a traditional, old-fashioned Botswanan woman? How is she modern? According to Mma Ramotswe, what is “the right sort of woman” [p. 5]? How do she and Mr J.L.B. Matekoni embody the old Botswana morality?

2. What is Mma Ramotswe’s general opinion of men? Is it a stereotypical view? Is her fiancé, Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, a typical male? What does she think the characteristic differences between the sexes are? How does this affect her interactions and dealings with both men and women?

3. For Mma Ramotswe’s clients, how is visiting with her like talking with a therapist? What psychological tactics does she employ with her clients and in solving their cases? How would you describe Mma Ramotswe’s approach to being a detective?

4. Much of the activity in The Full Cupboard of Life centers around drinking tea. Why is it so important in the lives and daily routines of the characters? What does that say about the culture of Botswana? [Note the chapter titled “Tea Is Always the Solution.”]

5. More so than in the first four novels, Mma Ramotswe comments on love in The Full Cupboard of Life. What are her views on love, romantic relationships, and marriage? How is forgiveness connected to love in Mma Ramotswe’s view? How is timing tied to love in her opinion? What determines her love for Mr J.L.B. Matekoni? What threatens to undermine their relationship and their engagement?

6. Mma Potokwane and Mma Makutsi both think of titles for books they may someday write such asHow to Run an Orphan Farm and How to Get Ninety-Seven Per Cent. Have you ever thought of using your expertise to write a book? What are some titles for books you or other members of your book group could write?

7. How does McCall Smith use landscape imagery in this novel? What are some similarities and differences between Mochudi village life and the busier world of Gaborone? How do these locations compare with your hometown? Could these books have taken place anywhere other than in southern Africa? How has the landscape influenced Mma Ramotswe? Do you think the landscape has influenced the author as well? Have his descriptions influenced you?

8. Mma Ramotswe is a big fan of Clovis Andersen’s The Principles of Private Detection. What sort of advice does the guide provide? Why does Mma Ramotswe admire Andersen so much?

9. What are the distinctive characteristics of the author’s writing style? What is so compelling about the voice and description in the novel? How do you think Alexander McCall Smith’s background as a Scottish medical law professor who grew up in southern Africa has affected his books?

10. What is the significance of the title? What might be some other suitable titles for this book? Why does Alexander McCall Smith name the chapters with descriptive title-like headings? And how do they contribute to the novel as a whole?

11. For discussion of THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE and The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series

How is Mr J.L.B. Matekoni portrayed differently in The Full Cupboard of Life than in the four previous books in the series? What new dimension is added to his character? What about Mma Ramotswe? Is she fairly consistent throughout the series, or does McCall Smith constantly reveal new aspects of her character? What about the other principal characters in the books—Mma Makutsi, Mma Potokwane, the apprentices? Have they grown into fuller characters and matured over the course of the novels?

12. What constitutes the main action in this book? Does Mma Ramotswe actually solve any mysteries in The Full Cupboard of Life? Compare and contrast The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books to other mystery series you’ve read and enjoyed. Are these books mysteries in the traditional sense? Do you think they are mysteries at all? How would you classify them?

13. How does the author incorporate Mma Ramotswe’s personal history and her adventures in the previous novels into The Full Cupboard of Life? Why does he do this? Do you think reading The Full Cupboard of Life would be the same without having read the first four books?

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