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Blue Shoes and Happiness Audiobook
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(4.00) - 13,249 listener ratings
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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)
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“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
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" I love this series! There's something tender and funny about it, as well as true. "
— Mary, 2/20/2014 -
" One of my favorites of this series. "
— Kristin, 2/20/2014 -
" 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 -
" My favorite Alexander McCall Smith book to date. Cake and shoes--two fabulous things. "
— Kristen, 2/17/2014 -
" Always cleverly written and leaves me with a sense of satisfaction "
— Denise, 2/13/2014 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Always enjoy the simple stories of this series. "
— Amy, 1/14/2014 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" Just a nice book to read! "
— Karalalala, 11/1/2013 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" #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 -
" I love anything by Alexander McCall Smith! "
— Evelyn, 7/26/2012 -
" 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 -
" Listened on CD, enjoyed exploring Botswanan culture and views. "
— Anne, 6/6/2012 -
" fun to read the series "
— shoelake, 4/25/2012 -
" This book series is so much fun. And the TV show of the series makes them even better. "
— Susan, 4/20/2012 -
" Enjoyable light reading before bedtime. "
— Annette, 3/14/2012 -
" 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 -
" I love these stories. I don't know what else to say. "
— JoLyn, 7/7/2011 -
" This series is always fun and I find myself smiling while reading. "
— Laurie, 6/22/2011 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" 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 -
" I thoroughly enjoy the audio version of this series--especially on an airplane! "
— Suzanne, 4/6/2011 -
" Heartwarming lovable characters that make for such a wonderful book series. "
— Laurie, 3/7/2011 -
" 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.