No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

[mrv3000]

I Netflixed the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency since I saw someone on my flist talk about it a while back. (Don't remember who though. aj?)

I really enjoyed it. If they made more, I would watch it. I thought it was charming, and while I'm not sure how authentic the perspective is (I know it was filmed in Botswana, but it was a BBC/HBO production with American and British actors), it was refreshing to see things approached from a different mindset. The sense of justice was vastly different to what I'm used to. Most the time it wasn't a vengeance kind of justice - it was a justice that could see beyond that to the bigger picture. I've not really seen that in shows and especially not in Hollywood shows.

If you like detective mysteries and are looking for something different, you might try it.

Comments

[darksylvia.livejournal.com]

I've only read the book, but I loved it!

[aj.livejournal.com]

YEP.

Seriously, the thing I liked most about the series was how almost restful it was. I didn't realize how much I needed a newness to my fiction and worldview, or at least the way it was presented to me, until I watched this show. It's like having eaten American food my entire life and taking my first bite of Thai. Yes, there are elements that are recognizable and familiar, but they're presented in such a different way.

Also Mma Ramotswe and Grace are just so interesting to watch. Mma Ramotswe is just so smart and quiet and reflective. I think Jill Scott did a really, really good job with her. JLB Matakoni is also my new Luke Danes. Only, I feel, more awesome.

[tsukara.livejournal.com]

Might have been me? Well, even if it wasn't, I still agree fully on all points. I really would love more of it. It's a feel-good show for me, and I've only read one of the books, but it was the same way.

I'm glad more people are finding it and liking it!

[goodtoast.livejournal.com]

I've never read any of the books, but this was such a charming detective series. I really hope they find the money/time to make another series. Even if it's not terribly authentic, it was beautiful none the less.

[audrich.livejournal.com]

*nods* I've read all the books (except the latest, am in a queue for it at the library) and seen all the TV programmes and I have to say, I love it and I can't get enough of the books or the TV version. I think Jill Scott does and amazing job as Precious and Anika Noni Rose is just perfect as the dorky secretary - such a welcome change of pace in today's 'should have been somewhere else 20 minutes ago' world. I understand what you mean by the bigger picture.. the books especially touch on this.

[shinyopals.livejournal.com]

I might have to try this one!

[rosewarren.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed all of the books in this series.

What I loved about the tv show was that it showed me an Africa I never get to see. Usually dramas portray it as an entire country driven apart by greed, violence, famine, etc. This showed Botswana as a beautiful, green place. When I saw the first animals I think I actually gasped in delight.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to have to read the book!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Seriously, the thing I liked most about the series was how almost restful it was. I didn't realize how much I needed a newness to my fiction and worldview, or at least the way it was presented to me, until I watched this show. It's like having eaten American food my entire life and taking my first bite of Thai. Yes, there are elements that are recognizable and familiar, but they're presented in such a different way.

YES. This is exactly how I felt while watching it!

Also Mma Ramotswe and Grace are just so interesting to watch. Mma Ramotswe is just so smart and quiet and reflective. I think Jill Scott did a really, really good job with her. JLB Matakoni is also my new Luke Danes. Only, I feel, more awesome.

Totally agree. I loved the gentleness of the whole thing, which included the characters.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I'm really going to have to read these books!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I would love if they'd do it as well. Sadly, I'm not seeing anything about a second series anywhere.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I'm really going to have to get the books!

One thing I love about it is that it presents Botswana as it is. By that I mean that Hollywood will either show something in Africa as being where the evil bad guys come from, or as part of some Very Important Social Film. It was so refreshing to see it as a backdrop for normal life.

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

You really should! *tempts with a trailer*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGoDTlCwrgc

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

Yes! I loved that too! Normally we see this terribly Hollywood-ized version of Africa, and this was a breath of fresh air.

[elirrina.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen it, but the books are lovely!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

The show was lovely too. Sounds like an all-around great series - books and tv. :)

[darkmoon711.livejournal.com]

The books are AWESOMESAUCE! Which is amusing considering an old Scottish man wrote them. He really gets the woman mind set. And I really enjoy them!

[mrv3000.livejournal.com]

I was surprised about that too! But it looks like he grew up in Africa, so at least that makes a bit more sense. :D

[darkmoon711.livejournal.com]

I think it's awesome that he wanted people to see the Africa that he knows. The beauty of the land and it's people. It's just a great read! ^.^ (Slight bit of a fan) LOL