• The Kalahari Typing School for Men

  • More from the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
  • By: Alexander McCall Smith
  • Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
  • Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,512 ratings)

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The Kalahari Typing School for Men  By  cover art

The Kalahari Typing School for Men

By: Alexander McCall Smith
Narrated by: Lisette Lecat
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Publisher's summary

International best-selling author Alexander McCall Smith delivers another delightful tale from his critically acclaimed No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

Precious Ramotswe's comfortable existence as the only detective in Botswana is suddenly rattled when the Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency opens, and its brochure proclaims, "Don't take any chances! Entrust your enquiries to a MAN!" As if the development isn't enough, Mma Ramotswe has also taken on two difficult cases, one of which hits close to home. But with wisdom on her side, Mma Ramotswe figures to crack both cases and upstage her competition.

Listen to the other titles in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.
©2002 Alexander McCall Smith (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"A dose of easy humor laces the pages, as McCall Smith throws in wry observations, effortlessly commenting on the vagaries his protagonist encounters as she negotiates Botswana bureaucracy. This is another graceful entry in a pleasingly modest and wise series." (Publishers Weekly)
"Lisette Lecat, a native South African, offers a near perfect narration...Lecat handles male voices exceptionally well, and her version of Mma Ramotswe is the definitive voice of that remarkable woman." (AudioFile)
"One of the most entrancing literary treats of many a year...A tapestry of extraordinary nuance and richness." (Wall Street Journal)

What listeners say about The Kalahari Typing School for Men

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Audiobooks don't get any better than this

The Alexander McCall Smith books are jewels, and Lisette Lecat, the reader, makes every facet sparkle. Pick one. Pick them all. They are gems.

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Another World

As in each of the A.McCall books, this one, again, takes me to a place of peace/without boredom; learning and discovery/without condescension; and, excitement/without adrenaline. The Reader, Lizette, is not "good." She is brilliant. I would love to see her perform, for she must be a splendid actress onstage/film, as well as on recorded books. Give yourself a wonderful treat with all these Botswana books...careful though, might make you want to move there - soon.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great series, great narrator


I usually only buy audible books that have 10 hours plus listening time (more for the money!) but bought The Kalahari Typing School for Gentlemen when I was sick with a cold and wanted to listen to something light (I had read the previous 4 books the old-fashioned way). But after listening to Ms. Lecat's narration, I've ordered the next in the series from Audible too. Both she and Mma Ramatswe rock!

If you haven't listened to a No. 1 Detective Agency Series, i recommend it. Not exciting crime here --just human foibles investigated by a delightful cast led by the traditionally build Mma Ramatswe.

I have never had much interest in visiting Africa but after reading this series (and seeing the HBO/BBC television mini series), I find myself wishing I could go to Botswana and walk the streets of Gabarone, visit the African mall, and drink bush tea on the porch of a nice, traditionally built Botswanan woman, though I doubt if any real person could measure up to Precious Ramatswe.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite book in this series

I've listened to all 17 novels in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series in order released, but have reviewed only a few. All of the books are outstanding, but I like The Kalahari Typing School for Men most. Mma Ramotswe solves a couple of interesting cases, but the star of this novel is her secretary Mma Grace Makutsi. Grace decides that a typing school for men is badly needed in Botswana, so she starts one with her being the instructor. Was that really a good idea? Listen to find out. The incredible Lisette Lecat narrates and gives all characters, female and male, their own unique voice.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great if you like the series, but...

If you're in the mood to visit a whole other world, where life moves at a slower pace, people have good intentions, where it's okay to be 20lbs overweight and driving a used car, then you can't do better than this series. (If you're in the mood for action, snappy dialogue, and plot twists, this is NOT the book/series for you.)

I liked this book as much as the previous ones read by Lisette Lecat. But there were some continuity issues on small details which drove me nuts.

For example:

In the previous book, Mma Makutsi says she makes 'better money than she could at any other job'; in this book, she suddenly isn't making enough money, but no explanation why (was her salary reduced? rent increased?).

In the previous book, Mma Makutsi's brother's illness is secret from Mma Ramotzwe, but in this one Mma Ramotzwe knows all about him - again, no explanation why.

But that kind of stuff bugs me more than other people, so I wouldn't let it stop you from getting this one.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

No. 1 Ladies Det. Agency keeps you smiling

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you want a fun read without expectations of fast moving adventure and deep mystery, this book will keep you interested and smiling at the two ladies and their friends and the pictures the book conjures in your mind of the African bush country. I recommend this book for reading when you just want to chill out with a fun story and colorful characters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Kalahari Typing School for Men?

The shoes that Mma Cotswai (sp?) was able to buy with her earnings from the Typing School.

What does Lisette Lecat bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Wonderful accent and speech pattern.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful people in a different culture.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I overheard a conversation by two attendees at the Utah Shakespeare Festival last summer. They were discussing their favorite series: The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I had been looking for a new series to get into and this overheard recommendation seemed worth trying. They were right! Much to his amazement, my husband enjoys it too.

We like the people. They are real, they are funny and imperfect. The plot moves along nicely, but it's the people we like.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

This one does not disappoint! I like that we got to learn more aout Mma. Makutsi. Simply charming.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good book

If you're a fan of the series you'll like this one too. I especially like reading more about Mma Makutsi.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Old Morality of Botswana Tested

Book Four in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency started out great and up until nearly the end, I thought it was going to be my favorite so far. But a couple of things changed my mind. You will have to read/listen to see for yourself if you agree. My favorite part of this story was when Mma Ramotswe went to visit a person in the village where she grew up to get some information for the case she was working on, and they went through some old pictures together, finding one of Obed Ramotswe, Mma Ramotswe’s father. I always love the way that Mma Ramotswe approaches her cases, with gentleness, thoughtfulness and care, taking the time to think them through, to think about their impact on others, and to not make any rash decisions. I love the characters in these books, including Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, who has asked Mma Ramotswe to marry him . . . with no wedding date in sight . . . and the Assistant Detective/Assistant Manager, Mma Makutsi at the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency and Speedy Motors, who comes up with the brilliant idea of opening up the Kalahari Typing School for Men. I was thrilled that the arrogant Satisfaction Guaranteed Detective Agency got what was coming to them (him) as I was certain from the first that they would. I will continue the series despite the fact that I was a bit disappointed in a couple of points in this book.

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2 people found this helpful