My wife Elizabeth and I started The Really Terrible Orchestra for people like us who are pretty hopeless musicians who would like to play in an orchestra. It has been a great success. We give performances; we've become the most famous bad orchestra in the world. Alexander McCall Smith badelizabethfamous share on social
I've certainly always had a very high regard for Botswana and so I paint a very good picture of the country and I've never pretended to be painting an entirely realistic picture. Alexander McCall Smith botswanacountrygood Change image and share on social
As a writer I've learned certain lessons. One of them is to be careful about how you put a view, and to bear in mind how easily and readily you'll be misinterpreted. Alexander McCall Smith bearcarefuleasily Change image and share on social
My parents were very supportive and always encouraged us. My father was a gentle, nice man. My mother was quite a colorful character and a keen reader who encouraged me to write. Alexander McCall Smith charactercolorfulencourage Change image and share on social
There is this intimacy still in Botswana. It's a country of just under two million people, and there's this sense of connectedness, in that people tend to be related to one another. Alexander McCall Smith botswanaconnectednesscountry Change image and share on social
But you cannot expect every writer to dwell on human suffering. I think my books do deal with grave issues. People who say they are too positive probably haven't read them. Alexander McCall Smith bookdealdwell Change image and share on social
It's through the small things that we develop our moral imagination, so that we can understand the sufferings of others. Alexander McCall Smith developimaginationmoral Change image and share on social
I would certainly never consider myself a Renaissance Man; I'm not fit to look at the dust from the chariot wheels of many of those who have gone before me. Alexander McCall Smith chariotdustfit Change image and share on social
Writers obviously have to bear witness to the harsh face of the age. Alexander McCall Smith agebearface Change image and share on social
One of the most destructive things that's happening in modern society is that we are losing our sense of the bonds that bind people together - which can lead to nightmares of social collapse. Alexander McCall Smith bindbondcollapse Change image and share on social
