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Blue Shoes and Happiness Audiobook, by Alexander McCall Smith Play Audiobook Sample

Blue Shoes and Happiness Audiobook

Blue Shoes and Happiness Audiobook, by Alexander McCall Smith Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Lisette Lecat Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc. Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series Release Date: April 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781436101769

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

19

Longest Chapter Length:

54:35 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

52 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

26:07 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

103

Other Audiobooks Written by Alexander McCall Smith: > View All...

Publisher Description

Excitement abounds at the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and Tiokweng Road Speedy Motors. A cobra has invaded the office, the local advice columnist is hiding something, and newly engaged Mma Makutsi is about to discover that money won't buy happiness. Se

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"I love these books. Mma Ramotswe is wonderful: "traditionally built," insightful, forgiving, human. Each of us has problems created by just being alive and living in the world and also problems that we create for ourselves by our foolishness, bad choices, etc. We can't do a lot about the first (natural disasters, and so on) but we can try to avoid those that we are to blame for. The folksy African wisdom of Mma Ramotswe and her good husband J. L. B. Matekoni, is endearing."

— Becky (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “McCall Smith's relaxed, almost meditative narrative is not only filled with profound insights into the human condition but also with intensely vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells of the southern African landscape…Breathtakingly described and addictively readable, this volume of McCall Smith’s series is as appealing as its lovable main character. In a word: Precious.”

    — Barnes & Noble
  • “The overall feeling [in Blue Shoes and Happiness] is one of a pleasant dream, of gentle wonder that such people can exist in a conflicted world. And Lecat is the perfect choice to read the story.”

    — Publishers Weekly 

Blue Shoes and Happiness Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.7567567567567566 out of 53.7567567567567566 out of 53.7567567567567566 out of 53.7567567567567566 out of 53.7567567567567566 out of 5 (3.76)
5 Stars: 5
4 Stars: 21
3 Stars: 9
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love this series! There's something tender and funny about it, as well as true. "

    — Mary, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of my favorites of this series. "

    — Kristin, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book several years ago but really enjoyed listening to the audio version. It is beautifully narrated and a pleasure to hear the correct pronunciation of the African names. "

    — Judy, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My favorite Alexander McCall Smith book to date. Cake and shoes--two fabulous things. "

    — Kristen, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Always cleverly written and leaves me with a sense of satisfaction "

    — Denise, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another great book in the series. I particularly enjoyed the Aunty Emang material. Mma Ramotswe kept daydreaming with a rather alarming frequency, though. "

    — Chris, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Continues the story of the No 1 ladies dective agency. I've enjoyed them all, but the last couple are not quite as engaging as the first 3 or 4. "

    — Ddwhi, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another good L#1DA book. I had a harder time getting into this one, but I think it had to do more with the time of year I read it, rather than the actual story line. There were certainly quite a few parts that drew me in and I still enjoy the various characters in this series. Looking forward to reading another one...but AFTER the Christmas season is over! "

    — Amanda, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another book in the series and I only have two more to go. The plots thicken and fresh stories surface from this marvelous writer. Wonderful! "

    — Barbara, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Always enjoy the simple stories of this series. "

    — Amy, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this series because my mother in law shares them with me. She and her sister are big fans. I am not a huge fan but they are easy reads and sometimes the stories are kind of cute. I found it easier to read them at the beginning of the series...they aren't as fun after you have read a couple. "

    — Ann, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Every No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency I have read has just been delightful. Mme Romotswe, head of the detective agency is so wise and thoughtful. She has become my guru. I strongly recommend any book in the series. McCall Smith writes with ease and fluency. I've never been diappointed. "

    — Deborah, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Always a joy to get together with old friends as these characters have become. Lovely, light, positive reading--great for summer. "

    — Tracy, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love this author, and I love the lady detectives! When I need to read something sweet and hopeful, this series has come through for me! "

    — Terry, 12/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another great installment of the No. 1 ladies detective agency. Precious Ramotswe had to solve several issues, whilst Mma Koutze fixed her relationship with her fiancee. "

    — Jan, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is the book I read when I couldn't sleep. After a few pages, I felt like I had taken a sleeping pill. "

    — Raylene, 11/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just a nice book to read! "

    — Karalalala, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have read this entire series and enjoyed it immensely - the characters are memorable and the setting exotic (Botswana). I highly recommend this author's other series as well. "

    — Alyssa, 10/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love these stories. It always feels like I'm visiting family when I read them. They are very calming and comforting and remind us of the value of some traditions, even if they are not necessarily our own. Great, clean, wholesome books. Highly recommended. "

    — Casi, 7/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " #7 in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. I adore this series, there are lovable characters, a great location, and a culture I want to visit some day. Botswana is Africa's brightest hope. "

    — Sara, 10/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love anything by Alexander McCall Smith! "

    — Evelyn, 7/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " More complicated and interesting than the last few - I really liked this one! And I relate to the shoes. Sometimes, beauty is worth the pain. "

    — Megan, 7/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Listened on CD, enjoyed exploring Botswanan culture and views. "

    — Anne, 6/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " fun to read the series "

    — shoelake, 4/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book series is so much fun. And the TV show of the series makes them even better. "

    — Susan, 4/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Enjoyable light reading before bedtime. "

    — Annette, 3/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As always, I love Alexander McCall Smith. This was a great book to have for a long day of traveling. I read one on the way and the next one on my way back. Part of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. "

    — Brooxie, 7/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love these stories. I don't know what else to say. "

    — JoLyn, 7/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This series is always fun and I find myself smiling while reading. "

    — Laurie, 6/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another installment in the series. More character development. More slow-paced mysteries. More insight into the human condition. More Botswanan charm. These aren't cozy mysteries as much as they are cozy reads. "

    — Karen, 6/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As always, Mma Ramotswa, the dear friend that she seems, encourages me to think less of myself and more of others and to drink a lot more tea. "

    — Shelley, 6/12/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not the best of the series. Okay. The next one is great: Good Husband of Zebra Drive. Classic No. 1 Ladies! I'm addicted. "

    — Pam, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency books run a bit hot and cold for me but this one is definitely a gem. Some brilliant insights from Mma Makutsi made this one extra joyful for me. "

    — Robyn, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a lovely continuation of the series. There are updates from previous events in earlier books and several new mysteries for the ladies to take on. "

    — Marissa, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I thoroughly enjoy the audio version of this series--especially on an airplane! "

    — Suzanne, 4/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heartwarming lovable characters that make for such a wonderful book series. "

    — Laurie, 3/7/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another good story of Botswana:) Favorite characters and amusing events:) "

    — Sarahb., 2/25/2011

About Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie series, 44 Scotland Street novels, Corduroy Mansions series, the Perfect Passion Company novels, and more. He has also written stand-alone novels, books for children, and nonfiction works. In 2004 he was named the British Book Awards Author of the Year and Booksellers Association Author of the Year. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served with many national and international organizations concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and taught law at the University of Botswana.

About Lisette Lecat

Christina Moore is an actress and Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. As an actress, she is best known for her roles in the television series That ’70s Show, Hawthorne, and 90210. She is a founding member of Bitches Funny, an all-female sketch group that has performed in New York City and Los Angeles.