How to Raise an Elephant

Written by Alexander McCall Smith

Narrated by Adjoa Andoh

In this latest installment in the cherished No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Mma Ramotswe must balance family obligations with the growing needs of one of Charlie’s pet projects.

Precious Ramotswe loves her dependable old van. Yes, it sometimes takes a bit longer to get going now, and it has developed some quirks over the years, but it has always gotten the job done.
This time, though, the world—and Charlie—may be asking too much of it, for when he borrows the beloved vehicle, he returns it damaged. And, to make matters worse, the interior seems to have acquired an
earthy smell that even Precious can’t identify.

But the olfactory issue is not the only mystery that needs solving. Mma Ramotswe is confronted by a distant relative, Blessing, who asks for help with an ailing cousin. The help requested is of a
distinctly pecuniary nature, which makes both Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni and Mma Makutsi suspicious. And there is no peace at home, either, as the new neighbors are airing their marital grievances rather
loudly. Still, Mma Ramotswe is confident that the solutions to all of these difficulties are there to be discovered—as long as she is led by kindness, grace, and logic and can rely on the counsel of her friends and loved ones.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980094050

Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the award-winning series The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency, and he now devotes his time to the writing of fiction, including the 44 Scotland Street and the Isabel Dalhousie series. He is the author of over eighty books on a wide array of subjects, and his work has been translated into forty-six languages. Before becoming a full-time writer he was for many years Professor of Medical Law at Edinburgh.

Reviews for How to Raise an Elephant

[Melissa Wood · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite of the series. The narrator was changed on this book and I did not like her dialect as much as the other 26 books. I got used to how each character sounded so it was hard to get used to. Actual story line was fine. For some reason though, still not my favorite.

[Jodi · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The narrator ruined it for me. I couldn’t listen. Disappointed

[Suzanne · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Where is Lisette Lecat?? She brought the stories and characters to life

Adjoa Andoh is a good narrator just not for this series. Her speed and voices are distracting. Reducing the speed to .8 made it a little better.

VERY disappointing

Please bring Lisette Lecat back.

[Susan Washburn · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A different new narrator REALLY changed the characters voices. To me, Charlie and the others sounded like evil bridge trolls! The narrator's usual narrating voice was nice. Overall, mourning the loss of the our USUAL narrator. Hope we get her back, she's like a friend after all these years.

[Donna Medley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Always enjoy this series that reveals much about African culture. A friend I recommended the series to later ended up taking a mission trip to Botswana. She found the books to be spot on with her experience of living there. The narration kept me from giving it 5 stars. Some of the voice depictions were grating and uneven. Different narrator than the earlier books. Loved listening to those.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Digital audiobook narrated by Adjoa Andoh 3*** Book # 21 in the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series set in Botswana and featuring Mma Precious Ramotswe and the other employees (partners?) of the agency, as well as friends and relatives. I’ve skipped a couple of books in the series, because I needed an elephant on the cover for a challenge. I’m sorry I did so because now I know how certain relationships will play out and that will likely spoil the fun for me. Oh well, it’s still nice to visit with friends, and enjoy a cup of (red bush) tea as we ponder life’s mysteries. As is typical for this series, the mysteries are not murders, but a cousin who has some financial difficulties, or a woman with a straying husband, and also figuring out why the suspension in Mma Ramotswe’s beloved little white van seems to have gone bad … not to mention the peculiar smell coming from the back of the van.I’ve always liked listening to the audiobooks chiefly because of the stellar performance by Lisette Lecat. But this time the narrator is Adjoa Andoh. Now, Ms Andoh is a talented voice artist and I’ve listened to other audiobooks she has narrated, but this time… Oh my stars, but this is terrible. She exaggerates the accents to the point of caricature, and totally UNflattering caricature at that. ZERO stars for the audio performance.

[shayes1-936363 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The characters as well built. One character tells very convoluted stories on anything making her colleagues' eyes roll -- yours will also. Those of you who like "male-bashing" will love this book. The ladies go off frequently on "men!" It not really a mystery but it's a quick read. I would like more of the culture of Botswana.

[etxgardener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The latest entry in the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series (This is book #21), finds Precious Ramotswe wondering about her new neighbors next door, and also wary of a distant cousin who comes to see her looking for money. Meanwhile, Charlie borrows the little white van to haul a moat unusual cargo.As usual in the cozy mystery series, nothing really bad ever happens and in the end, everything is resolved with a big dollop of love and kindness. This book is the perfect antidote to the ugliness we see on the news every day.

[krazy4katz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another delightful work in the wonderful No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Like the other books, "How to Raise an Elephant" is funny and thought-provoking at the same time. The Detective Agency learns a lesson about listening to only one side when deciding what to do. The love of animals from one of the most superficial characters is a pleasant surprise. A lovely break from the world as it is at the moment.

[liscarey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charlie is lured by one of his "friends" into providing temporary care for a baby elephant--and borrowing Mma Ramotswe's tiny white van to transport the elephant. He's hiding the elephant at his uncle's house, in the rather stark back yard, chained to a metal pole in the ground. But Charlie is doing his best to take good care of the baby, feeding formula from a bottle, and having his young cousin watch the elephant to be sure he doesn't get tangled up while Charlie is at work.He did not, of course, tell Mma Ramotswe what he was planning to move in her van. The strange, earthy odor and the slightly bent tailgate, though, do arouse the curiosity of Mma Ramotswe and, especially, her husband, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni.What Charlie doesn't know is what his young cousin overheard Charlie's "friend" and another man talking about: their plans to sell the baby elephant to a butcher. Charlie can be feckless, but he's never cruel, and would not agree if he knew what the plan was. When this information reaches Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi, they have to act. And who do you ask for help with an orphan? Mma Potokwane, matron of the (human) orphan farm, of course.As always, there are other threads in this visit with Mma Ramotswe and her friends. A distant cousin of Mma Ramotswe, Blessing Mompati, makes an unexpected visit to seek financial help for her neighbor, who needs a hip replacement. Mma Makutsi thinks things may not be exactly as they appear, and they decide to make a visit to Blessing and her neighbor.And one set of quiet neighbors on Zebra Drive have moved, and the new neighbors have a shockingly loud and unpleasant argument almost immediately on moving in. Is the peace of Mma Ramotswe's neighborhood going to be shattered for good?These books are not about their plots, and there is no violence, and no high crimes. They're about people dealing with the ordinary difficulties of life, in ways that emphasize kindness, understanding, mutual support.I love this series, and this book is a welcome new addition to it.I bought this audiobook.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As always, the 21st book in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency novel, Smith returns his readers to the slower pace of Mma Ramotse’s Botswana. A minimum of detective work solves the two mysteries. A distant cousin is suspected of lying to get money from Mma Ramotse and a baby elephant found by Charlie is eventually sent to an elephant sanctuary. But its not the mysteries that readers return to solve, it is the interaction between the characters. Like all good series, readers must begin at the beginning to fully appreciate the characters and understand the importance of fat cakes and bush tea.