30-06-2004, 02:49 PM
Quote:Originally posted by webtalk2003
I dunno. I got a bit bored after a while. Too 'samey'.
I did like his writing style though. Short stories (tales) within a story. I found that quite clever.
I got bored towards the end of the first one and will only read the second as the first two are on teh reading list for one of my book group meetings.
(I have to confess to a very low boredom threshold with books. If I think I know where a book is going I jump pages and if I find I'm right lose interest very quickly).:eek:
Dudette, when I read what you said about "Alexander Mccall Smith as a white male has managed to capture the African mindset and way of life so well in his writing" it got me thinking. Is this really the African mindset or is it a white person's view of the African mindset?
I haven't a clue to the answer as I can't profess to have an intimate knowledge or understanding of the (Black) (female) African mindset. However, it does push familiar buttons to the caracature (sp?) of it.
I think it is a bit of both Webtalk. Having said that I did gain insights into the African value system which I never fully appreciated before. Simple things like why cattle are so important to them, the nature of their family/extended family relations, etc. The books are simply written to the point of being boring at times, but they are enjoyable and an easy read for a wet day.