The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe (The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency)

     Author                      Alexander McCall Smith

     Country                    Scotland

     Genre                        Fiction

     Publication date       2014

     Pages                         240







This is another charming and absolutely refreshing book of  'The No. 1 Ladies  Detective Agency' series. Alexander McCall Smith continues to do an impeccable job of pulling together a story set in Bostwana, Africa with characters that reflect an inherent goodness. And that's just one of the many aspects that ensures that all his books stand apart. The stories are generic but the simplicity and the genuineness with which they are weaved together and conveyed is what makes them exquisite.

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe is built around the story of a woman who seeks Mma Ramotswe's help to find out about her past. Interspersed with this is the tale of Mma Makutsi who, as the proud owner of The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe is trying to find her feet in the world of business.

Not surprisingly, the book carries with itself the spirit of Bostwana and a profound sense of Bostwana morality. It's against this backdrop that Mma Ramotswe operates in both her personal and professional life. Infact, her sense of purpose in her detective work emanates from this belief in righteousness and moral uprightness.

Bringing this to life are the following quotes from the book:

'Bostwana was a good place - it always had been - and Mma Ramotswe knew that she would fight to keep it that way'

'When other people behaved dishonestly it was the business of others, because if we did not react to the bad behaviour of others, then we weakened the whole of society, and that was definitely part of everybody's business'

While Mma Ramotswe, as we can see above, is a completely 'from the heart' person, her once assistant and now business partner, Mma Makutsi is a more practical person who isn't afraid to speak her mind. In some ways, a contrast to Mma Ramotswe, she reflects passion and ambition and forms a core part of this absolutely light yet meaningful read.

As I conclude this note, I can't help recall Mma Ramotswe's closing lines from the book:

'The world is not always a place of pain and loss, but a place where our simple human affairs - those matters that for all their pettiness still sometimes confound us - are not insoluble, are not without the possibility of resolution'

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

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So, do check it out and Happy Reading! 

One Day

     Author                         David Nicholls

     Country                       United Kingdom

     Genre                          Fiction

     Publication Date         2009

     Pages                           448






There are some books that you don't plan to read but just happen to read. And this was one of those. I chanced upon this book at a bookstore and having heard vaguely about it earlier, found myself picking it up.

After having finished this book at a rather quick pace, my staunch faith that the best things in life tend to happen by chance is restored.

One Day is a remarkable tale of two friends and their evolving relationship over a span of about 20 years. Having met on the last day of graduation, they make no plans for the future but end up as the best of friends and finally as man and wife. These 20 years have seen them mature, succeed, fail, have many relationships; finally to find solace only in each other's friendship.

David Nicholls has done a brilliant job with the narrative by portraying the story on July 15 every year; thereby helping the readers glimpse at the 20 years through 20 days!

I would describe this as a modern day book about people, emotions and the relationships that bind them together. Some relationships are hard to describe and Dex and Em's relationship is one of those. From mere acquaintance to platonic friendship to sexual intimacy to close confidants; splattered with intermittent periods of dislike; their relationship is no different from a constantly colour changing chameleon.

What strikes me the most about this book is the importance of clinging to old friends and the fact that, come what may, life and destiny take their own chosen course. We may try our best to manoeuvre the course, but beyond a point, we have to give in. And that's something that I hold close to my heart. Operating within one's circle of influence and letting other forces take care of the rest is my unwavering maxim in life!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!  

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!