Reading

S4L Book Club – The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

S4L Book Club - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyWhile reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice recently, I noted some similarities between her writing and Alexander McCall Smith’s. Both write books that focus on people more than events and deal with how our behaviors effect others and our relationships with them. The books themselves are not similar, but the “feel” somehow is to me.

Does this book evoke the writing of any other authors to you?

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  1. I also find this similarity in *Pride and Prejudice* and *The 1.Ladies D. Agency*: They (the main character) are both observers of others, they see with their minds and hearts as well as eyes. They reflect on what they see, and hence the books gets deeper meanings “if you listen to it” while you read. I do agree that it is very much about relationships, and the lack of communication between those in trouble it the stories. I like the language in the *P&P* best, but I love the landscape as a player of a part like a character in the stories in the *1. Lady DA*

  2. I’ve compared it to the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, but I’m not sure why, exactly. It could be that they’re the only mystery series I’ve read–and I’ve not completed either.

    I think I make a connection between the exotic and interesting places where they are set, and how vital those locations are to the stories. The Amelia Peabody books are set in Egypt.

    I’d say the Peabody books are largely about the characters, but they also have more of a mystery about them, too.

    Delightful reads, both.