Saturday, May 24, 2008

BOOK: The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith

The Kalahari Typing School for Men by Alexander McCall Smith

African Reading Challenge: Botswana; series challenge

Book four starring Mma Precious Ramotswe and all is well. She is still engaged to Mr J.L.B. Matekoni, and although a wedding date does not seem imminent, Mma seems happy. Not much happens in these books but a lovely philosophy of life, a respect of the old ways, and the usual human conditions of adultery, theft, and competition that are complicating life. Precious deals with the people around her in her indomitable yet quiet style. Bush tea is drunk and the standards of society are respected. I haven't read this series in quite a while and I am glad to have re found these books.

Stephanie Nolan's book, 28 Stories of AIDS in Africa, explained how AIDS is not named, just called that illness. I was wondering if AIDS would be a part of the story, because with infection rates as high as they are, it would have to in order for the setting to be realistic. Sure enough, this book included that habit, as well as grandmothers raising their grand babies because the adults have died.