Alexander McCall Smith, prolific writer of several series of books most notably The Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency, arrived in Buffalo to deliver a lecture as part of the Just Buffalo Literary Center’s “Babel” series. For those of you who’ve encountered Alexander McCall Smith, you know what transpired the next couple of hours: plenty of wit and laughter. About 1500 fans showed up at Kleinhans Music Hall to hear the lecture. Alexander McCall Smith delivered a succession of rambling soliloquies on his love of dogs, his multiple birthplaces, his love of Africa, and a progress report on several of his book series. “In our lives it’s the little things that are very important.” Many of the volumes Alexander McCall Smith referred to have been published in Britain, but not in the U.S. yet. Then it was Q&A time. Many questions concerned various TV or movie deals. Some in the audience wanted to know if HBO was going to continue their Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency movies. All Alexander McCall Smith could say was that Hollywood “moves slowly.” Diane and I enjoyed McCall Smith’s humorous presentation. If he appears in your neighborhood, Alexander McCall Smith is well worth spending an evening with.
I would have enjoyed hearing him. I’m afraid the death of series creator Anthony Minghella and poor ratings did in the HBO series, which was a shame because they did a terrific job. Every time I read another of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency books I picture the actors in the show in the roles. There was talk of movies but so far, nothing. Because as we all know HBO has so many better series running – not!
Edinburgh is one of my favorite cities and I would have liked to hear what he had to say about it.
Hopefully, Alexander McCall Smith will show up in the Big Apple for one of these lectures, Jeff. He’s a very engaging guy. I agree with you about HBO. We have THE LADIES NO. 1 DETECTIVE AGENCY on DVD. It’s really well done.
It’s always fun to hear someone talk about their work. I enjoyed the HBO series but have not read the books.
Diane reads several of the Alexander McCall Smith series, Patti. I can’t believe he can write four or five books a year! And I wasn’t aware Alexander McCall Smith has also published over 30 children’s books. When does this guy sleep???
I’ve read seven of his Botswana books so far (I ration them out) and one of his Edinburgh books (44, Scotland Street). I’ve tried a couple of his other series but they didn’t grab me yet. He’s a smooth, easy storyteller and he writes fairly short books, but I agree with George – he writes a LOT of books.
Diane reads the Botswana series and the Edinburgh series and one other, Jeff. During the Q&A, the audience asked Alexander McCall Smith how he writes so many books. He replied that he gets up at 4 A. M. and writes until 7 A.M. Then he goes back to sleep for a few hours. He also writes for a couple of hours in the evening. It’s hard to believe Alexander McCall Smith has published over 60 books in just the last 12 years!
Ian Rankin–the Scots mystery writer, creator of Inspector John Rebus–says he walks every morning past Smith’s house and Smith is always sitting in the front room by the window at his computer working.
I enjoy the Ladies No. 1 Detective novels (especially the earlier ones that focused on the history and background of the characters and their country), but, like Jeff, I find that Smith’s other series haven’t really grabbed me.
I can believe Alexander McCall Smith is always at his computer, Deb. His production proves it. I read the first few LADIES NO. 1 DETECTIVE AGENCY books. They’re light and entertaining.
I’ve wanted to read the No 1 series, even bought the first two books, but they never quite make it to the top of my TBR. Maybe my leftover book clean-up will help that, only 2 of 11 left, and I halfway though #10. These seem like they would be fast, easy reads. Soon, soon!
Alexander McCall Smith was asked how long he was going to write THE LADIES NO. 1 DETECTIVE AGENCY series, Rick. HIs answer: “Forever.”
I used to go to a secondhand bookstore in Edinburgh where the guy knew Ian Rankin, said he came in all the time. I gather he lived nearby, at least at that time. I always found a pile of used paperback mysteries there and occasionally he’d get in a large haul of stuff and let me go through it in his back room.
We’re down to just a couple of used bookstores around here, Jeff. They’re vanishing quicker every day.
about as fast as Post Offices, and libraries. Curse the digital revolution.