Author offers different view

Smith visits in support of Pierce County Reads

Katie Blatman - blatmaka@plu.edu

mast a&e reporter

Alexander McCall Smith, author of the nine-book “Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency,” series made an appearance at Olsen Auditorium Saturday for the first annual Pierce County Reads event. Smith’s tour of the United States, which coincides with the release of his newest book in the series, has included stops in Michigan, Iowa, California and Oregon, in addition to Washington.

Smith was born in what is now Zimbabwe to European parents. He later moved to his father’s native Scotland to attend law school. His accomplishments, other than writing novels, include teaching law at the University of Edinburgh and his position as professor emeritus of the University Of Edinburgh School Of Law.

The evening started off with a reception for Smith at the Morken Center for Learning and Technology for members of the media, Pierce County Library staff members and others who merited an invitation. At the reception, Smith signed books for his fans and made an effort to talk with the majority of people in attendance.

After the reception, festivities moved to Olsen Auditorium. The event began with a sudden musical explosion on bagpipes, homage to Smith’s Scottish heritage, much like the kilt the author himself donned.

Smith’s presentation entitled “The Very Small Things of Life” commenced after short speeches by the deputy director of the Pierce County Library system, Georgia Lomax and the executive editor of the News Tribune, David Zeeck. Smith talked about his life accomplishments, his books, amusing anecdotes and countered Zeeck’s negative comments about British food.

“I think the remarks about British food are entirely misleading,” Smith said.

The question and answer session after Smith’s presentation raised inquiries ranging from his favorite comfort food to his feelings about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in his native Africa.
Smith discussed in detail his four series of books, especially “The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency.”

“Nothing unpleasant happens in these books,” Smith said of the series. “There is quite enough happening in the world today without authors making it worse.”

The first book in the series began as a short story. In 1980, Smith worked at the University of Swaziland where he visited friends in Botswana. He came across a woman from Botswana with whom his friend was acquainted. He immediately became intrigued.

“What was her story?” Smith asked. “What was her history?”

In the first novel of his series, also titled “The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency,” the heroine’s dying father tells her to sell the family’s cattle and start a business. When she announces that she plans to open a detective agency, her father promptly passes away.

His other books include the soon to be five-part “44 Scotland Street” series, the “Portuguese Irregular Verbs” series, and the “Sunday Philosophy Club” series. He has also written numerous children’s books and academic pieces.