The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

More treats in December!  A member hosted our evening discussion and we all brought an appetizer to share and even, a book to pass along if we wanted.

We had a great discussion by an author who is well-published, 100 books to his name our discussion leader has shared.  There are 15 books to this series (16 counting a different version of the #1 book).

The series takes place in the country of Botswana, just above South Africa. The main character in the story is Mma Ramotswe, proprietor of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  Most liked the book and we had quite a good discussion with it.  One person said they liked the "respecting elders and good manners" that are a part of this book, but imagine part of Botswana, and they liked that women aren't oppressed by their husbands.  Mr. JLB was a kind man and represents the men well in Botswana.  He had high ethical standards in his business.

We liked how they often had 'Bush Tea' and even in the hot summer days they sat under a tree and had hot tea, considered it to be a pleasantry offered to guests.  We liked this, and someone said it is like time to relax, to just talk.  Life is slow and simple and enjoyable there someone shared.  "It wouldn't fit in New York."  Someone said that the community is "so generous, so straightforward, they take care of each other.  Don't have all the drama."  Another member stated they enjoyed reading the book because it was this way, it was a great place to "get away."  Someone said they also liked the simplicity of the book, they felt like they were in the country, listening to them speak (which is how the author wrote the book).  Another said they liked how simple life was.

We liked the characters in the book and how Mma Ramotswe was influenced by her past, by her father.   A member shared this line from the book and we nodded in agreement.  “We find what we are looking for in life, her father had once said to her, which was true--if you look for happiness, you will see it; if you look for distrust and envy and hatred--all those things--you will find those too.”
― Alexander McCall Smith, The Full Cupboard of Life