THE FULL CUPBOARD OF LIFE

With any beloved series the narrator becomes an integral part of our overall enjoyment, and so it is with this latest in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series. Lisette Lecat adopts a confidential storytelling tone to deliver these vignettes about Botswana village life, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing a finer job. It’s a little like an African Mayberry--or like checking in with old friends, with a little judicious snooping thrown in on the part of Mma Ramotswe. It’s amazing how well McCall Smith captures the feelings of a “traditionally shaped” middle-aged lady surrounded by men she must straighten out or rescue, usually with much tact and understanding. It’s easy to see why this book won the Saga Award, given to the wittiest British book of the year. Lecat ekes out every morsel of comic nuance with perfect timing, gentle charm, and a flawless accent. As Precious Ramotswe would say, she has made us very, very happy. D.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2005 Audie Awards Finalist © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]