It seems to me that we're in danger of losing sight of certain basic civic values in society by allowing the growth of a whole generation of people who really have no sense of attachment to society. Alexander McCall Smith allowattachmentbasic Change image and share on social
My Botswana books are positive, and I've never really sought to deny that. They are positive. They present a very positive picture of the country. And I think that that is perfectly defensible given that there is so much written about Africa which is entirely negative. Alexander McCall Smith africabookbotswana share on social
You do not have to ladle on the impasto to make a point about human frailty or ambitions. Alexander McCall Smith ambitionfrailtyhuman Change image and share on social
As a writer, I have readers who will have a range of political views. I don't think they look to me for political guidance. Alexander McCall Smith guidancepoliticalrange Change image and share on social
Every novel presents a slice of life. A noir policier for example presents one slice, one that perhaps addresses social dysfunction or some sort of pathology, while mine present a slice that is more upbeat and affirmative. Alexander McCall Smith addressaffirmativedysfunction share on social
Every single day, I get letters - very moving, overwhelming letters - testifying how much my books have meant to people in times of crisis in their lives, when they were very ill, say. If I ever doubted that writing could play an important part in people's lives, I don't doubt that now. Alexander McCall Smith bookcrisisday share on social
Manners are the basic building blocks of civil society. Alexander McCall Smith basicblockbuild Change image and share on social
New York is a wonderful place to be up, an awful place to be down. Alexander McCall Smith awfulplacewonderful Change image and share on social
I think people in Botswana are pleased that my books paint a positive picture of their lives and portray the country as being very special. They've made a great success of their country, and the people are fed up with the constant reporting of only the problems and poverty of the continent. They welcome something which puts the positive side. Alexander McCall Smith bookbotswanaconstant share on social
If you lose sight of the smaller accomplishments, you end up with an imbalance in your life. Alexander McCall Smith accomplishmentendimbalance Change image and share on social