Following up Becca’s question about how long it took to get really involved in the story, why do you suppose the author chose to insert the lengthy backstory as he did in Obed’s voice?

There’s a canned question that asks “Why does Mma Ramotswe feel it is so important to include her father’s life story in the novel?” I think that’s a funny question. I never considered it Mma Ramotswe’s choice. Do you think it was or would have been?

Since the text is written in Obed’s point of view, I don’t think it works to say it’s the character of Mma Ramotswe that dictated the inclusion of Obed’s narrative. From the beginning, I saw it as the author’s choice. Had it been written in Mma Ramotswe’s voice, maybe I’d consider that as a possibility. She has a high regard for her father and credits him with getting her where she happily is, so I can see her wanting to include him in her story.

What positive things come out of this backstory?