An unlikely alter-ego

Friday, June 25, 2010

After reading The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, a book told from the viewpoint of a proud, "traditionally built" African woman, it's a bit jarring to see the authors photo on the back. Alexander McCall Smith is a very white, very male Scotsman with thinning gray hair and light blue eyes.

But he has one thing in common with his fictional heroine, Precious Ramotswe: a peaceful, enduring affection for Botswana and its people. The www.theatlantic.com/culture held a conversation with the prolific writer

Ques: Your Ladies' Detective books are written in the very convincing voice of an African woman. How are you able to inhabit a character who is so different from you?

Already have an active account? Log in here.

Or Sign up and get unlimited access to premium articles.

Black gold: Minergy is one of the MDCB’s investments through a convertible loan. The coal mine is eyeing a turnaround in fortunes this year PIC: MINERGYCOAL.COM

The audacity to be a unicorn

Mbongeni Mguni | 19 Apr 2024

Faulty gadgets top complaints to BOCRA

Mbongeni Mguni | 17 h ago

Civil Society fights 'flawed' constitutional amendment

Innocent Selatlhwa | 22 Apr 2024

Civil Society calls for Constitution review governing Act

Innocent Selatlhwa | 22 Apr 2024

IEC rejects 2,513 registrations

Innocent Selatlhwa | 22 Apr 2024

Motshegwa prevails against detractors

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | 22 Apr 2024

Serowe woman ingests acid, attempts suicide

Pini Bothoko | 22 Apr 2024

Serowe man 'loses' P1m in trading

Pini Bothoko | 22 Apr 2024

Inspect the voters' roll!

The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...

The Monitor Editor | 23 April 2024

About us

Mmegi is the leading independent source of breaking news, latest news, current
affairs, Politics, Business, Sport, debates, analysis, and entertainment news in Botswana.

Explore

More

An unlikely alter-ego

After reading The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, a book told from the viewpoint of a proud, "traditionally built" African woman, it's a bit jarring to see the authors photo on the back. Alexander McCall Smith is a very white, very male Scotsman with thinning gray hair and light blue eyes.

The audacity to be a unicorn

Faulty gadgets top complaints to BOCRA

Civil Society fights 'flawed' constitutional amendment

Civil Society calls for Constitution review governing Act

IEC rejects 2,513 registrations

Motshegwa prevails against detractors

Serowe woman ingests acid, attempts suicide

Serowe man 'loses' P1m in trading

Inspect the voters' roll!