The Great Hippopotamus Hotel by Alexander McCall Smith

BOOK REVIEW –

I was absolutely amazed to hear that Alexander McCall Smith is coming to the Central Coast for an event hosted by Words on the Waves at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal on December 6.

I did not need to hear the news twice; he is an absolute legend and a stalwart of cosy crime – my ticket was purchased in seconds.

If you have not encountered his novels, it is now time to do so.

He has written more than 50 novels including the latest which is number 25 in the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

These are light-hearted cosy crimes to curl up with.

Alexander McCall Smith has a gift for crafting books that stop you in your tracks; they pique your curiosity and compel you to dive into the pages.

This is a little personal but after my second child was born more than 30 years ago I was diagnosed with post natal depression.

I didn’t have the brain width to read my usual tomes and stumbled onto the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency which became a balm to my soul, my anti-depressant.

The joy, humour and honesty were nourishing.

His new title, The Great Hippopotamus Hotel, is a perfect example along with other captivating titles in this series including Tears of the Giraffe and A Song of Comfortable Chairs.

The hotel in this book becomes a metaphor for the author’s broader themes of finding joy in simplicity and meaning in the seemingly minute details of life.

McCall Smith’s writing, as always, is rich with wit and wisdom.

Although these novels are an easy read, they certainly do not lack depth.

This volume has the coziness one expects from Alexander McCall Smith’s writing.

The incredible Botswanan detective is back and a chance meeting with the manager of The Great Hippopotamus Hotel leads the much-admired and traditionally-built Mma Precious Ramotswe to investigate what is going wrong with this previously successful country hotel.

This is a gently comedic yet lovingly sincere addition to the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series.

I particularly appreciated Ramotswe’s spirit of generosity towards her friends and acquaintances – the author has an exceptional ability to create an atmosphere of quiet, almost meditative humour.

His descriptions of the African landscape, the local customs and the interactions between the characters are infused with a sense of respect for the setting and its people.

In the background is that beautiful country, Botswana, with its wide skies and its courteous people.

In such surroundings, big problems soon seem small and small worries fade away altogether.

The story may not be fast-paced or plot-driven in the conventional sense; its quiet beauty lies in its exploration of life’s small but significant moments.

This is a perfect read for anyone in need of a little light-hearted escape with a touch of poignancy.

Alexander McCall Smith is an anomaly; he has a double existence.

He is a Professor of Medical Law and an author who has now written more than 50 books on a wide range of subjects.

These range from specialist titles such as Forensic Aspects of Sleep to The Criminal Law of Botswana and from the widely translated The Perfect Hamburger to Portuguese Irregular Verb.

He has also written a collection of African stories; I don’t think he could be more diverse than that.

Do yourself a favour – contact Words on the Waves for your ticket; you won’t regret it.

Julie Chessman