Decline and Fall

[threemonkeys]

I seem to have lost interest in the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency series (by Alexander McCall Smith). When it first came along I was a bit reticent because of the odour of (post) colonial patronising. But when I read the first book, I was captivated by the charming but strong characters and the loving portrayal of Botswana. At first look, they seem simple tales, but peppered throughout are asides and what appear to be throwaway comments which when taken as a whole give a deeper understanding of the characters and the land. It is a deceptively simple but actually very skilled writing style.

In the Company of Cheerful Ladies is, I think, the sixth in the series and the fourth I have read. It has all the attributes of the other books and yet I couldn't engage with it at all. In fact there has been a steady drop off in my interest with each book. And yet I think the writing is as good as ever and the characters seem to be progressing through their stories. But I am bored with it. So much for my analytical ability - I have no real reason to offer. I feel that I should be able to offer some reason but I can't. I can say that the odour of colonial patronising still lingers. But that isn't the reason. Harrumph.

Comments

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

Dude - number 1 detective agency is on my list and now you've put in to the potential for taking to Canberra... so much to read so little time.

Alos, when can I tempt you over to the dark, I mean reviewing side? We need you!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

You can always tempt me. But success is unlikely until after the end of the month when I will be done with work for a while and my analytical capabilities aren't being used up on documenting risk policy enhancements. In other words, come April I will have more time for reading and more time for reviewing.

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

I just got this comment right now!

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

That is just plain weird, but not the first time lj has done that. It does explain why you didn't chase me up in April to do any reviewing though.

[girliejones.livejournal.com]

yeah!! how annoying !!! and now ... consider yourself being chased up!!!