Comments on: The Fat Lady Detective

By: Patikwane

Patikwane — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 13:46:30 +0000

The proper name for someone from Botswana is Motswana , not motswanan or Botswanan. As more ppl are getting it wrong, we will soon have to accept it.

By: class factotum

class factotum — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:19:53 +0000

A friend was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Congo. One of the Congolese guys she worked with was proudly telling her about his new wife. “Her butt is THIS big,” he said happily, as he held his hands about four feet apart.

By: Teena in Toronto

Teena in Toronto — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 22:46:19 +0000

I wasn’t a fan of this book. We read it for our street’s bookclub a couple years ago.

By: Nancy Lebovitz

Nancy Lebovitz — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:09:12 +0000

Excellent! And Jill Scott doesn’t just have the weight, she can obviously do the unshakable self-confidence.

By: thatgirljj

thatgirljj — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:49:02 +0000

These are awesomely fun books. Love them!

By: Urban Chick

Urban Chick — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:26:04 +0000

I love this book. I love Jill Scott. I am very happy with this news.

Even more so because it celebrates the “traditionally built” woman. I remember when I went to Senegal (yes, I know that it’s nowhwere near Botswana, but there is a similar appreciation for the thickness). At the time I was about 275 lbs (I’m 5’10″).
Men were falling all over me…they kept saying “Oh you are so fat”. I was horrified. At 19, the last thing I wanted was for me to keep telling me I was fat. After the umpteenth man told me I was fat, I broke down in tears.

He was so concerned and asked me what was wrong. When I told him that I didn’t like being called fat, that it was an insult in America – he just shook his head. He explained that fat was sexy. He went on to say that I was very lucky to be naturally fat…many girls he went to high school spent all of their money on tonics to thicken their blood so that they could be fat. I thought he was lying to make me feel better. But then I checked with some Senegalese women and a few of the thinner ones were actually jealous that of my fat ass!

By: withoutscene

withoutscene — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:27:48 +0000

Okay, I was initially put off by the director’s cynicism, but in the end I have to praise him. If other directors would work on projects they believed in, even if they thought they wouldn’t be an instant success in Hollywood, we would see more diversity in film.

Now I need to read the book…so little time. Can’t wait to see this.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:07:45 +0000

I’ve read one of the books, liked it and recommend it. It made me wonder if my extra pounds accounted for the attention two African men have given me in my adult life.

I think Jill Scott is juicy. I’m checking out the movie.

By: Rubiatonta

Rubiatonta — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:31:03 +0000

I love Mma Ramotswe being described as “traditionally-built” — when I was in grad school, I had a friend from Botswana who told me that if I ever visited her there, men would follow me down the street. “Because I’ve got blonde hair?” I asked. “Oh, no,” she replied. “Because you’ve got a BIG bum.”

Still saving for that plane ticket, friends.

By: Pattie

Pattie — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:29:58 +0000

I totally loved this book, and a couple of the sequals. I kind of fell behind as more books came out. I’m so excited they’re making it into a movie, thanks for letting me know.