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MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Die Again (Rizzoli & Isles, #11) in Books
May 16, 2018
This book blew my mind, and I haven't said that about any book in quite awhile. *SPOILER* The story bounces back and forth between Boston and Botswana. The entire time I assumed everything happening in both places was happening at the same time, but about halfway through it is revealed that the events in Botswana actually happened six years prior to what was happening in Boston. I literally had to stop and say "What??" out loud. Loved it, one of the best R&I books yet.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated The Second Death Of Goodluck Tinubu (Detective Kubu, #2) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A murdered man in northern Botswana turns out to have died years before during a war. How was he still alive? And why was he murdered now? A bit long winded at times, but most everything proved important during the climax.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-second-death-of-goodluck.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-second-death-of-goodluck.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A United Kingdom (2017) in Movies
Oct 1, 2017
One of the greatest love stories in the past century
Rarely can you make a claim that a true relationship is the greatest love story in the past century until you hear about Seretse Khama and his wife Ruth.
As an African chieftain of Bechuanaland, now Botswana, Khama was studying law in the UK before meeting Ruth, a secretary and daughter to a British Army captain. Even after the Second World War interracial couples faced much prejudice, but none so much as a king of a British protectorate and an ordinary white woman.
Facing many trials and tribulations, even exile from his own country thanks to the British relationship with the then apartheid nation of South Africa, the couple attempt to endure endless hardships to be the rightful rulers of Botswana.
It's always magnificent when you hear these stories are based on real life events. The Notebook has nothing on this.
As an African chieftain of Bechuanaland, now Botswana, Khama was studying law in the UK before meeting Ruth, a secretary and daughter to a British Army captain. Even after the Second World War interracial couples faced much prejudice, but none so much as a king of a British protectorate and an ordinary white woman.
Facing many trials and tribulations, even exile from his own country thanks to the British relationship with the then apartheid nation of South Africa, the couple attempt to endure endless hardships to be the rightful rulers of Botswana.
It's always magnificent when you hear these stories are based on real life events. The Notebook has nothing on this.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Precious and Grace in Books
Oct 15, 2017
Don't read this if you haven't read the others
So I probably shouldn't have started reading this series from the 17th instalment, as you have zero grasp of the characters and the context in which these women have set up this agency.
In this latest installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi help a young woman on a quest to find someone from her past.
A young Canadian woman who spent her early childhood in Botswana requests the agency's help in recovering important pieces of her life there. With only a faded photograph - and, of course, some good old-fashioned detective skills - to guide them, Precious and Grace set out to locate the house that the woman used to live in and the caretaker who looked after her many years ago.
The problem is that as a stand-alone book it seems rather bland and a bit of an anti-climax. However, I'm sure it's much more interesting having read the rest of the series.
In this latest installment of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi help a young woman on a quest to find someone from her past.
A young Canadian woman who spent her early childhood in Botswana requests the agency's help in recovering important pieces of her life there. With only a faded photograph - and, of course, some good old-fashioned detective skills - to guide them, Precious and Grace set out to locate the house that the woman used to live in and the caretaker who looked after her many years ago.
The problem is that as a stand-alone book it seems rather bland and a bit of an anti-climax. However, I'm sure it's much more interesting having read the rest of the series.
Darren (1599 KP) rated A United Kingdom (2017) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: A Untied Kingdom starts in 1947 England where Prince Seretse Khama (Oyelowo) of Bechuanaland (known today as Botswana) is in England studying law, he meets file clerk Ruth Williams (Pike) and the two fall in love.
With tension between Bechuanaland and South Africa high the idea of the soon to be King marrying a white woman would be unheard off. The British government doesn’t want him to become king and Seretse own family don’t want him to become king if he stays with Ruth. With the racial divide still going strong, Seretse pushed for equality over anything else, so he can unite his kingdom when he becomes king.
Thoughts on A United Kingdom
Characters – Seretse Khama is the prince of Bechuanaland he has been studying law in England to prepare for his time as king, he falls in love a white woman in Ruth Williams which throws tensions from his family, government in the air and to prove his love is more important than his traditions and bring the equality between the races together. Ruth Williams is an English clerk whose family has been working to teach Christianity to Africans, she meets and falls in love with Seretse and goes against everyone else’s desires and marries him. Rufus Lancaster is the British liaison in Bechuanaland who leads the opposition from the land, which only shows us just how the English were over controlling.
Performances – David Oyelowo is wonderful in the leading role, showing us once again that he can lead any movie he wants too. Rosamund Pike shines to showing everyone that she can handle to calm roles after the psycho ones in Gone Girl. The rest of the cast are wonderful even if the British characters are as stuck up as you would imagine them to be.
Story – The story follows the lives of King Seretse who marries an English white woman which puts the balance between the racial tension in his home land and British rule. We learn a lot from this movie, because we see how the country was being controlled from outside forces that only saw them as a piece of land. There is a lot to take in and the history lesson about this union that created a chance in the land.
Biopic/Romance – What King Seretse and his wife Ruth achieved for Botswana was incredible and this shows us how their love drove them to achieve this change.
Settings – The settings show us the high society British look at an African country that was following its own traditions to become the independent from this style of rule.
Scene of the Movie – Speech to the ‘tribe’ as the British called them.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Knowing the English were this shallow.
Final Thoughts – This is a good look at how the world was once ruled by people who believe they are in the right to control countries affairs and how their union would change everything.
Overall: History is always worth learning.
https://moviesreview101.com/2019/05/21/abc-film-challenge-biopics-u-a-united-kingdom-2016/
With tension between Bechuanaland and South Africa high the idea of the soon to be King marrying a white woman would be unheard off. The British government doesn’t want him to become king and Seretse own family don’t want him to become king if he stays with Ruth. With the racial divide still going strong, Seretse pushed for equality over anything else, so he can unite his kingdom when he becomes king.
Thoughts on A United Kingdom
Characters – Seretse Khama is the prince of Bechuanaland he has been studying law in England to prepare for his time as king, he falls in love a white woman in Ruth Williams which throws tensions from his family, government in the air and to prove his love is more important than his traditions and bring the equality between the races together. Ruth Williams is an English clerk whose family has been working to teach Christianity to Africans, she meets and falls in love with Seretse and goes against everyone else’s desires and marries him. Rufus Lancaster is the British liaison in Bechuanaland who leads the opposition from the land, which only shows us just how the English were over controlling.
Performances – David Oyelowo is wonderful in the leading role, showing us once again that he can lead any movie he wants too. Rosamund Pike shines to showing everyone that she can handle to calm roles after the psycho ones in Gone Girl. The rest of the cast are wonderful even if the British characters are as stuck up as you would imagine them to be.
Story – The story follows the lives of King Seretse who marries an English white woman which puts the balance between the racial tension in his home land and British rule. We learn a lot from this movie, because we see how the country was being controlled from outside forces that only saw them as a piece of land. There is a lot to take in and the history lesson about this union that created a chance in the land.
Biopic/Romance – What King Seretse and his wife Ruth achieved for Botswana was incredible and this shows us how their love drove them to achieve this change.
Settings – The settings show us the high society British look at an African country that was following its own traditions to become the independent from this style of rule.
Scene of the Movie – Speech to the ‘tribe’ as the British called them.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Knowing the English were this shallow.
Final Thoughts – This is a good look at how the world was once ruled by people who believe they are in the right to control countries affairs and how their union would change everything.
Overall: History is always worth learning.
https://moviesreview101.com/2019/05/21/abc-film-challenge-biopics-u-a-united-kingdom-2016/
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Famine (The Four Horsemen #3) in Books
Apr 25, 2023
The third book in the series features Famine, otherwise known as Fami. Apart from Death, he is probably the busiest horseman but he seems to concentrate more on Africa, although he does go to different places too. Ekundayo has stolen a diamond from the mines in Botswana, but injures himself in the process, resulting in a visit by Death, who then instructs Famine on where to go. Famine rescues him and takes him back to his treehouse near Victoria Falls, where Death plays Devil's Advocate in telling Famine to leave Ekundayo alone and not tell him anything. The twist in this book isn't that Famine needs to forgive himself. He feels that he did nothing wrong as he was sacrificed by the village shaman to bring rain. Instead, he has to forgive the shaman instead.
This book is slightly different from the other two, in how Famine may return to being mortal, in the fact that he and Ekundayo argue and split up, going their own ways.
Still well-written and with few grammatical errors that I found, it has a smooth pace and leads nicely onto Death's book. I am also hoping that we will find out more about Lam and why he not only smells of Christmas but also of sulphur! Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 17, 2015
This book is slightly different from the other two, in how Famine may return to being mortal, in the fact that he and Ekundayo argue and split up, going their own ways.
Still well-written and with few grammatical errors that I found, it has a smooth pace and leads nicely onto Death's book. I am also hoping that we will find out more about Lam and why he not only smells of Christmas but also of sulphur! Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 17, 2015
ClareR (5721 KP) rated The Wild Girls in Books
Apr 24, 2021
This was my first Phoebe Morgan book, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed - I was guessing right up to the end!
Felicity, Grace, Alice and Hannah have been friends since they were teenagers: The Wild Girls.
So when Felicity meets the man of her dreams, she’s excited to introduce him to her friends. Except the night takes an unexpected turn.
Two years later, Felicity invites her three friends to her birthday party in Botswana, all expenses paid for, and they all look forward to a rest and some re-bonding (if that’s even a word 🤷🏼♀️).
Grace, Hannah and Alice arrive at the holiday lodge compound and Felicity is nowhere to be seen. She tells them via WhatsApp that she’s unwell and will see them the next day, and to enjoy their evening. It sounds like a gorgeous place. Each of them has a private lodge with a plunge pool, the main lodge is beautiful and seems to have food and champagne on tap, and the Bush is just the other side of the compounds fence. Grace is excited, even though she comes across as an incredible anxious person. And there is a reason. In fact, Hannah and Alice have their own secrets too.
This is not a story where the weekend goes as the women had planned. Everything goes back to that night two years ago. What happened?
Well, obviously we find out, but what a journey we have to the big reveal! I loved it - and I didn’t guess what was going on at all (this is a common occurrence with me - I have no wish to solve the mystery - I want to read it!)
If you enjoy a good whodunnit, then you’ll love this book! I did.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this - the 24 hour wait between staves was AGONISING!!
Felicity, Grace, Alice and Hannah have been friends since they were teenagers: The Wild Girls.
So when Felicity meets the man of her dreams, she’s excited to introduce him to her friends. Except the night takes an unexpected turn.
Two years later, Felicity invites her three friends to her birthday party in Botswana, all expenses paid for, and they all look forward to a rest and some re-bonding (if that’s even a word 🤷🏼♀️).
Grace, Hannah and Alice arrive at the holiday lodge compound and Felicity is nowhere to be seen. She tells them via WhatsApp that she’s unwell and will see them the next day, and to enjoy their evening. It sounds like a gorgeous place. Each of them has a private lodge with a plunge pool, the main lodge is beautiful and seems to have food and champagne on tap, and the Bush is just the other side of the compounds fence. Grace is excited, even though she comes across as an incredible anxious person. And there is a reason. In fact, Hannah and Alice have their own secrets too.
This is not a story where the weekend goes as the women had planned. Everything goes back to that night two years ago. What happened?
Well, obviously we find out, but what a journey we have to the big reveal! I loved it - and I didn’t guess what was going on at all (this is a common occurrence with me - I have no wish to solve the mystery - I want to read it!)
If you enjoy a good whodunnit, then you’ll love this book! I did.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this - the 24 hour wait between staves was AGONISING!!
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated A United Kingdom (2017) in Movies
Sep 29, 2021
“In to Africa”.
I managed to miss this film when it was first shown at the end of 2016. And what a shame as it would have UNDOUBTEDLY made my “Films of the Year” list.
Directed by Amma Asante (“Belle”) this is the true tale of a real-life fairy story, featuring a handsome prince and his love, who can never be his princess thanks to the Machievellian schemings of court-do-gooders and bureaucrats.
The prince in this case is Seretse Kham (David Oyelowo, “Selma“) , heir to the throne of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who meets and falls in love with a lowly white Lloyd’s of London clerk Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl“, “The World’s End“). The plot has many parallels with that of another film from earlier this year: “Loving” with Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton. As an inter-racial couple in 1947 this is taboo enough, but the fact that Kham is soon to be king in a country bordering the apartheid tinderkeg that is South Africa blows the affair up to be a diplomatic crisis.
Concern in the corridors of power for Prime Minister Atlee (Anton Lesser) being faced up to by the couple’s supporter – a young Anthony Wedgewood Benn (Jack Lowden).
Defying the officials he marries his true love, driving a wedge between both his own uncle (Vusi Kunene ) and sister (Terry Pheto) and making Ruth an outcast in both countries. As things turn from bad to worse, can true love conquer all their adversities?
Just everything about this film delights. Oyelowo and Pike – always a safe pair of hands – add real emotional depth to their roles. Their relationship feels natural and loving without either of them trying too hard. The estrangement of Ruth from her parents (particularly her father played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) is truly touching.
Another star turn is Harry Potter alumni Tom Felton, playing Rufus Lancaster – a weaselly and very unpleasant local official. I have a prediction…. that in 30 year’s time, the young Potter actor that will be the ‘Ian McKellen of his day’ (that is, a world recognized great actor… not necessarily gay!) will be Felton.
Sam McCurdy (“The Descent”) delivers cinematography of Africa that is vibrant (to be fair, for anyone lucky enough to visit Africa will know, cameras just love the place) and the John Barry-esque music by Patrick Doyle (“Murder on the Orient Express“) is pitch perfect for the mood.
When it says “Based on a true story” it means it: the real family.
A beautifully crafted film that older viewers will just love.
Directed by Amma Asante (“Belle”) this is the true tale of a real-life fairy story, featuring a handsome prince and his love, who can never be his princess thanks to the Machievellian schemings of court-do-gooders and bureaucrats.
The prince in this case is Seretse Kham (David Oyelowo, “Selma“) , heir to the throne of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), who meets and falls in love with a lowly white Lloyd’s of London clerk Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl“, “The World’s End“). The plot has many parallels with that of another film from earlier this year: “Loving” with Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton. As an inter-racial couple in 1947 this is taboo enough, but the fact that Kham is soon to be king in a country bordering the apartheid tinderkeg that is South Africa blows the affair up to be a diplomatic crisis.
Concern in the corridors of power for Prime Minister Atlee (Anton Lesser) being faced up to by the couple’s supporter – a young Anthony Wedgewood Benn (Jack Lowden).
Defying the officials he marries his true love, driving a wedge between both his own uncle (Vusi Kunene ) and sister (Terry Pheto) and making Ruth an outcast in both countries. As things turn from bad to worse, can true love conquer all their adversities?
Just everything about this film delights. Oyelowo and Pike – always a safe pair of hands – add real emotional depth to their roles. Their relationship feels natural and loving without either of them trying too hard. The estrangement of Ruth from her parents (particularly her father played by Nicholas Lyndhurst) is truly touching.
Another star turn is Harry Potter alumni Tom Felton, playing Rufus Lancaster – a weaselly and very unpleasant local official. I have a prediction…. that in 30 year’s time, the young Potter actor that will be the ‘Ian McKellen of his day’ (that is, a world recognized great actor… not necessarily gay!) will be Felton.
Sam McCurdy (“The Descent”) delivers cinematography of Africa that is vibrant (to be fair, for anyone lucky enough to visit Africa will know, cameras just love the place) and the John Barry-esque music by Patrick Doyle (“Murder on the Orient Express“) is pitch perfect for the mood.
When it says “Based on a true story” it means it: the real family.
A beautifully crafted film that older viewers will just love.