Merge commit 'debian/0.11-1' into squeeze-backports

Conflicts:
	debian/changelog

9 files changed, 449 insertions, 182 deletions

diff --git a/bindings/python/docs/source/index.rst b/bindings/python/docs/source/index.rst
index 73d2a3b0..f7d3d605 100644
--- a/bindings/python/docs/source/index.rst
+++ b/bindings/python/docs/source/index.rst
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ More information on specific topics can be found on the following pages:
 
    .. method:: __len__()
 
-   .. warning:: :meth:`__len__` was removed in version 0.6 as it exhausted
-       the iterator and broke list(Messages()). Use the
-       :meth:`Query.count_messages` function or use
-       `len(list(msgs))`.
+   .. warning::
+   
+      :meth:`__len__` was removed in version 0.6 as it exhausted the iterator and broke
+      list(Messages()). Use the :meth:`Query.count_messages` function or use `len(list(msgs))`.
 
 :class:`Message` -- A single message
 ----------------------------------------
@@ -205,10 +205,11 @@ More information on specific topics can be found on the following pages:
 
    .. method:: __len__
 
-       .. warning:: :meth:`__len__` was removed in version 0.6 as it
-           exhausted the iterator and broke list(Tags()). Use
-           :meth:`len(list(msgs))` instead if you need to know the
-           number of tags.
+       .. warning::
+
+            :meth:`__len__` was removed in version 0.6 as it exhausted the iterator and broke
+            list(Tags()). Use :meth:`len(list(msgs))` instead if you need to know the number of
+            tags.
 
    .. automethod:: __str__
 
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/__init__.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/__init__.py
index 539afedf..f3ff9874 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/__init__.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/__init__.py
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ from notmuch.globals import (
     TagTooLongError,
     UnbalancedFreezeThawError,
     UnbalancedAtomicError,
-    NotInitializedError
+    NotInitializedError,
 )
 from notmuch.version import __VERSION__
 __LICENSE__ = "GPL v3+"
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/database.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/database.py
index f4bc53e0..7923f768 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/database.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/database.py
@@ -18,13 +18,16 @@ Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 
 import os
-from ctypes import c_int, c_char_p, c_void_p, c_uint, c_long, byref
+from ctypes import c_char_p, c_void_p, c_uint, c_long, byref, POINTER
 from notmuch.globals import (nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError, NotInitializedError,
-     NullPointerError, OutOfMemoryError, XapianError, Enum, _str)
+     NullPointerError, Enum, _str,
+     NotmuchDatabaseP, NotmuchDirectoryP, NotmuchMessageP, NotmuchTagsP,
+     NotmuchQueryP, NotmuchMessagesP, NotmuchThreadsP, NotmuchFilenamesP)
 from notmuch.thread import Threads
 from notmuch.message import Messages, Message
 from notmuch.tag import Tags
 
+
 class Database(object):
     """The :class:`Database` is the highest-level object that notmuch
     provides. It references a notmuch database, and can be opened in
@@ -37,16 +40,19 @@ class Database(object):
     :exc:`XapianError` as the underlying database has been
     modified. Close and reopen the database to continue working with it.
 
-    .. note:: Any function in this class can and will throw an
-           :exc:`NotInitializedError` if the database was not
-           intitialized properly.
+    .. note::
+
+        Any function in this class can and will throw an
+        :exc:`NotInitializedError` if the database was not intitialized
+        properly.
+
+    .. note::
 
-    .. note:: Do remember that as soon as we tear down (e.g. via `del
-           db`) this object, all underlying derived objects such as
-           queries, threads, messages, tags etc will be freed by the
-           underlying library as well. Accessing these objects will lead
-           to segfaults and other unexpected behavior. See above for
-           more details.
+        Do remember that as soon as we tear down (e.g. via `del db`) this
+        object, all underlying derived objects such as queries, threads,
+        messages, tags etc will be freed by the underlying library as well.
+        Accessing these objects will lead to segfaults and other unexpected
+        behavior. See above for more details.
     """
     _std_db_path = None
     """Class attribute to cache user's default database"""
@@ -56,37 +62,50 @@ class Database(object):
 
     """notmuch_database_get_directory"""
     _get_directory = nmlib.notmuch_database_get_directory
-    _get_directory.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_directory.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p]
+    _get_directory.restype = NotmuchDirectoryP
 
     """notmuch_database_get_path"""
     _get_path = nmlib.notmuch_database_get_path
+    _get_path.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
     _get_path.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_database_get_version"""
     _get_version = nmlib.notmuch_database_get_version
+    _get_version.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
     _get_version.restype = c_uint
 
     """notmuch_database_open"""
     _open = nmlib.notmuch_database_open
-    _open.restype = c_void_p
+    _open.argtypes = [c_char_p, c_uint]
+    _open.restype = NotmuchDatabaseP
 
     """notmuch_database_upgrade"""
     _upgrade = nmlib.notmuch_database_upgrade
-    _upgrade.argtypes = [c_void_p, c_void_p, c_void_p]
+    _upgrade.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_void_p, c_void_p]
+    _upgrade.restype = c_uint
 
     """ notmuch_database_find_message"""
     _find_message = nmlib.notmuch_database_find_message
+    _find_message.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p,
+                              POINTER(NotmuchMessageP)]
+    _find_message.restype = c_uint
 
     """notmuch_database_find_message_by_filename"""
     _find_message_by_filename = nmlib.notmuch_database_find_message_by_filename
+    _find_message_by_filename.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p,
+                                          POINTER(NotmuchMessageP)]
+    _find_message_by_filename.restype = c_uint
 
     """notmuch_database_get_all_tags"""
     _get_all_tags = nmlib.notmuch_database_get_all_tags
-    _get_all_tags.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_all_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
+    _get_all_tags.restype = NotmuchTagsP
 
     """notmuch_database_create"""
     _create = nmlib.notmuch_database_create
-    _create.restype = c_void_p
+    _create.argtypes = [c_char_p]
+    _create.restype = NotmuchDatabaseP
 
     def __init__(self, path=None, create=False, mode=0):
         """If *path* is `None`, we will try to read a users notmuch
@@ -164,8 +183,8 @@ class Database(object):
         :param status: Open the database in read-only or read-write mode
         :type status:  :attr:`MODE`
         :returns: Nothing
-        :exception: Raises :exc:`NotmuchError` in case
-            of any failure (possibly after printing an error message on stderr).
+        :exception: Raises :exc:`NotmuchError` in case of any failure
+                    (possibly after printing an error message on stderr).
         """
         res = Database._open(_str(path), mode)
 
@@ -186,6 +205,10 @@ class Database(object):
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
         return Database._get_version(self._db)
 
+    _needs_upgrade = nmlib.notmuch_database_needs_upgrade
+    _needs_upgrade.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
+    _needs_upgrade.restype = bool
+
     def needs_upgrade(self):
         """Does this database need to be upgraded before writing to it?
 
@@ -197,7 +220,7 @@ class Database(object):
         :returns: `True` or `False`
         """
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        return nmlib.notmuch_database_needs_upgrade(self._db)
+        return self._needs_upgrade(self._db)
 
     def upgrade(self):
         """Upgrades the current database
@@ -219,6 +242,10 @@ class Database(object):
         #TODO: catch exceptions, document return values and etc
         return status
 
+    _begin_atomic = nmlib.notmuch_database_begin_atomic
+    _begin_atomic.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
+    _begin_atomic.restype = c_uint
+
     def begin_atomic(self):
         """Begin an atomic database operation
 
@@ -229,18 +256,20 @@ class Database(object):
         neither begin nor end necessarily flush modifications to disk.
 
         :returns: :attr:`STATUS`.SUCCESS or raises
-
-        :exception: :exc:`NotmuchError`:
-            :attr:`STATUS`.XAPIAN_EXCEPTION
-                Xapian exception occurred; atomic section not entered.
+        :exception: :exc:`NotmuchError`: :attr:`STATUS`.XAPIAN_EXCEPTION
+                    Xapian exception occurred; atomic section not entered.
 
         *Added in notmuch 0.9*"""
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_database_begin_atomic(self._db)
+        status = self._begin_atomic(self._db)
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
             raise NotmuchError(status)
         return status
 
+    _end_atomic = nmlib.notmuch_database_end_atomic
+    _end_atomic.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
+    _end_atomic.restype = c_uint
+
     def end_atomic(self):
         """Indicate the end of an atomic database operation
 
@@ -258,7 +287,7 @@ class Database(object):
 
         *Added in notmuch 0.9*"""
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_database_end_atomic(self._db)
+        status = self._end_atomic(self._db)
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
             raise NotmuchError(status)
         return status
@@ -267,13 +296,15 @@ class Database(object):
         """Returns a :class:`Directory` of path,
         (creating it if it does not exist(?))
 
-        .. warning:: This call needs a writeable database in
-           :attr:`Database.MODE`.READ_WRITE mode. The underlying library will exit the
-           program if this method is used on a read-only database!
+        .. warning::
+
+            This call needs a writeable database in
+            :attr:`Database.MODE`.READ_WRITE mode. The underlying library will
+            exit the program if this method is used on a read-only database!
 
         :param path: An unicode string containing the path relative to the path
-              of database (see :meth:`get_path`), or else should be an absolute path
-              with initial components that match the path of 'database'.
+              of database (see :meth:`get_path`), or else should be an absolute
+              path with initial components that match the path of 'database'.
         :returns: :class:`Directory` or raises an exception.
         :exception:
             :exc:`NotmuchError` with :attr:`STATUS`.FILE_ERROR
@@ -299,6 +330,11 @@ class Database(object):
         # return the Directory, init it with the absolute path
         return Directory(_str(abs_dirpath), dir_p, self)
 
+    _add_message = nmlib.notmuch_database_add_message
+    _add_message.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p,
+                             POINTER(NotmuchMessageP)]
+    _add_message.restype = c_uint
+
     def add_message(self, filename, sync_maildir_flags=False):
         """Adds a new message to the database
 
@@ -349,10 +385,8 @@ class Database(object):
                       be added.
         """
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        msg_p = c_void_p()
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_database_add_message(self._db,
-                                                  _str(filename),
-                                                  byref(msg_p))
+        msg_p = NotmuchMessageP()
+        status = self._add_message(self._db, _str(filename), byref(msg_p))
 
         if not status in [STATUS.SUCCESS, STATUS.DUPLICATE_MESSAGE_ID]:
             raise NotmuchError(status)
@@ -364,6 +398,10 @@ class Database(object):
             msg.maildir_flags_to_tags()
         return (msg, status)
 
+    _remove_message = nmlib.notmuch_database_remove_message
+    _remove_message.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p]
+    _remove_message.restype = c_uint
+
     def remove_message(self, filename):
         """Removes a message (filename) from the given notmuch database
 
@@ -392,8 +430,7 @@ class Database(object):
                removed.
         """
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        return nmlib.notmuch_database_remove_message(self._db,
-                                                       filename)
+        return self._remove_message(self._db, filename)
 
     def find_message(self, msgid):
         """Returns a :class:`Message` as identified by its message ID
@@ -416,7 +453,7 @@ class Database(object):
                     the database was not intitialized.
         """
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        msg_p = c_void_p()
+        msg_p = NotmuchMessageP()
         status = Database._find_message(self._db, _str(msgid), byref(msg_p))
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
             raise NotmuchError(status)
@@ -425,10 +462,11 @@ class Database(object):
     def find_message_by_filename(self, filename):
         """Find a message with the given filename
 
-        .. warning:: This call needs a writeable database in
-           :attr:`Database.MODE`.READ_WRITE mode. The underlying library will
-           exit the program if this method is used on a read-only
-           database!
+        .. warning::
+
+            This call needs a writeable database in
+            :attr:`Database.MODE`.READ_WRITE mode. The underlying library will
+            exit the program if this method is used on a read-only database!
 
         :returns: If the database contains a message with the given
             filename, then a class:`Message:` is returned.  This
@@ -449,7 +487,7 @@ class Database(object):
 
         *Added in notmuch 0.9*"""
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
-        msg_p = c_void_p()
+        msg_p = NotmuchMessageP()
         status = Database._find_message_by_filename(self._db, _str(filename),
                                                     byref(msg_p))
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
@@ -460,7 +498,8 @@ class Database(object):
         """Returns :class:`Tags` with a list of all tags found in the database
 
         :returns: :class:`Tags`
-        :execption: :exc:`NotmuchError` with :attr:`STATUS`.NULL_POINTER on error
+        :execption: :exc:`NotmuchError` with :attr:`STATUS`.NULL_POINTER
+                    on error
         """
         self._assert_db_is_initialized()
         tags_p = Database._get_all_tags(self._db)
@@ -491,10 +530,14 @@ class Database(object):
     def __repr__(self):
         return "'Notmuch DB " + self.get_path() + "'"
 
+    _close = nmlib.notmuch_database_close
+    _close.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP]
+    _close.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch database if needed"""
         if self._db is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_database_close(self._db)
+            self._close(self._db)
 
     def _get_user_default_db(self):
         """ Reads a user's notmuch config and returns his db location
@@ -545,18 +588,22 @@ class Query(object):
 
     """notmuch_query_create"""
     _create = nmlib.notmuch_query_create
-    _create.restype = c_void_p
+    _create.argtypes = [NotmuchDatabaseP, c_char_p]
+    _create.restype = NotmuchQueryP
 
     """notmuch_query_search_threads"""
     _search_threads = nmlib.notmuch_query_search_threads
-    _search_threads.restype = c_void_p
+    _search_threads.argtypes = [NotmuchQueryP]
+    _search_threads.restype = NotmuchThreadsP
 
     """notmuch_query_search_messages"""
     _search_messages = nmlib.notmuch_query_search_messages
-    _search_messages.restype = c_void_p
+    _search_messages.argtypes = [NotmuchQueryP]
+    _search_messages.restype = NotmuchMessagesP
 
     """notmuch_query_count_messages"""
     _count_messages = nmlib.notmuch_query_count_messages
+    _count_messages.argtypes = [NotmuchQueryP]
     _count_messages.restype = c_uint
 
     def __init__(self, db, querystr):
@@ -602,6 +649,10 @@ class Query(object):
             raise NullPointerError
         self._query = query_p
 
+    _set_sort = nmlib.notmuch_query_set_sort
+    _set_sort.argtypes = [NotmuchQueryP, c_uint]
+    _set_sort.argtypes = None
+
     def set_sort(self, sort):
         """Set the sort order future results will be delivered in
 
@@ -609,7 +660,7 @@ class Query(object):
         """
         self._assert_query_is_initialized()
         self.sort = sort
-        nmlib.notmuch_query_set_sort(self._query, sort)
+        self._set_sort(self._query, sort)
 
     def search_threads(self):
         """Execute a query for threads
@@ -661,10 +712,14 @@ class Query(object):
         self._assert_query_is_initialized()
         return Query._count_messages(self._query)
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_query_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchQueryP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the Query"""
         if self._query is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_query_destroy(self._query)
+            self._destroy(self._query)
 
 
 class Directory(object):
@@ -683,22 +738,27 @@ class Directory(object):
 
     """notmuch_directory_get_mtime"""
     _get_mtime = nmlib.notmuch_directory_get_mtime
+    _get_mtime.argtypes = [NotmuchDirectoryP]
     _get_mtime.restype = c_long
 
     """notmuch_directory_set_mtime"""
     _set_mtime = nmlib.notmuch_directory_set_mtime
-    _set_mtime.argtypes = [c_char_p, c_long]
+    _set_mtime.argtypes = [NotmuchDirectoryP, c_long]
+    _set_mtime.restype = c_uint
 
     """notmuch_directory_get_child_files"""
     _get_child_files = nmlib.notmuch_directory_get_child_files
-    _get_child_files.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_child_files.argtypes = [NotmuchDirectoryP]
+    _get_child_files.restype = NotmuchFilenamesP
 
     """notmuch_directory_get_child_directories"""
     _get_child_directories = nmlib.notmuch_directory_get_child_directories
-    _get_child_directories.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_child_directories.argtypes = [NotmuchDirectoryP]
+    _get_child_directories.restype = NotmuchFilenamesP
 
     def _assert_dir_is_initialized(self):
-        """Raises a NotmuchError(:attr:`STATUS`.NOT_INITIALIZED) if dir_p is None"""
+        """Raises a NotmuchError(:attr:`STATUS`.NOT_INITIALIZED)
+        if dir_p is None"""
         if self._dir_p is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
@@ -735,10 +795,12 @@ class Directory(object):
           and know that it only needs to add files if the mtime of the
           directory and files are newer than the stored timestamp.
 
-          .. note:: :meth:`get_mtime` function does not allow the caller
-                 to distinguish a timestamp of 0 from a non-existent
-                 timestamp. So don't store a timestamp of 0 unless you are
-                 comfortable with that.
+          .. note::
+
+                :meth:`get_mtime` function does not allow the caller to
+                distinguish a timestamp of 0 from a non-existent timestamp. So
+                don't store a timestamp of 0 unless you are comfortable with
+                that.
 
           :param mtime: A (time_t) timestamp
           :returns: Nothing on success, raising an exception on failure.
@@ -815,10 +877,14 @@ class Directory(object):
         """Object representation"""
         return "<notmuch Directory object '%s'>" % self._path
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_directory_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchDirectoryP]
+    _destroy.argtypes = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the Directory"""
         if self._dir_p is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_directory_destroy(self._dir_p)
+            self._destroy(self._dir_p)
 
 
 class Filenames(object):
@@ -826,6 +892,7 @@ class Filenames(object):
 
     #notmuch_filenames_get
     _get = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_get
+    _get.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
     _get.restype = c_char_p
 
     def __init__(self, files_p, parent):
@@ -844,41 +911,56 @@ class Filenames(object):
         """ Make Filenames an iterator """
         return self
 
+    _valid = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_valid
+    _valid.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
+    _valid.restype = bool
+
+    _move_to_next = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_move_to_next
+    _move_to_next.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
+    _move_to_next.restype = None
+
     def next(self):
         if self._files_p is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        if not nmlib.notmuch_filenames_valid(self._files_p):
+        if not self._valid(self._files_p):
             self._files_p = None
             raise StopIteration
 
         file = Filenames._get(self._files_p)
-        nmlib.notmuch_filenames_move_to_next(self._files_p)
+        self._move_to_next(self._files_p)
         return file
 
     def __len__(self):
         """len(:class:`Filenames`) returns the number of contained files
 
-        .. note:: As this iterates over the files, we will not be able to
-               iterate over them again! So this will fail::
+        .. note::
+
+            As this iterates over the files, we will not be able to
+            iterate over them again! So this will fail::
 
                  #THIS FAILS
                  files = Database().get_directory('').get_child_files()
-                 if len(files) > 0:              #this 'exhausts' msgs
-                     # next line raises NotmuchError(:attr:`STATUS`.NOT_INITIALIZED)!!!
+                 if len(files) > 0:  # this 'exhausts' msgs
+                     # next line raises
+                     # NotmuchError(:attr:`STATUS`.NOT_INITIALIZED)
                      for file in files: print file
         """
         if self._files_p is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
         i = 0
-        while nmlib.notmuch_filenames_valid(self._files_p):
-            nmlib.notmuch_filenames_move_to_next(self._files_p)
+        while self._valid(self._files_p):
+            self._move_to_next(self._files_p)
             i += 1
         self._files_p = None
         return i
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free Filenames"""
         if self._files_p is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_filenames_destroy(self._files_p)
+            self._destroy(self._files_p)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/filename.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/filename.py
index de4d785a..a7cd7e63 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/filename.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/filename.py
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ along with notmuch.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 from ctypes import c_char_p
-from notmuch.globals import nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError
+from notmuch.globals import (nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError,
+    NotmuchFilenamesP, NotmuchMessageP)
 
 
 class Filenames(object):
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ class Filenames(object):
 
     #notmuch_filenames_get
     _get = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_get
+    _get.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
     _get.restype = c_char_p
 
     def __init__(self, files_p, parent):
@@ -74,6 +76,14 @@ class Filenames(object):
         #save reference to parent object so we keep it alive
         self._parent = parent
 
+    _valid = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_valid
+    _valid.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
+    _valid.restype = bool
+
+    _move_to_next = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_move_to_next
+    _move_to_next.argtypes = [NotmuchFilenamesP]
+    _move_to_next.restype = None
+
     def as_generator(self):
         """Return generator of Filenames
 
@@ -82,13 +92,16 @@ class Filenames(object):
         if self._files is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        while nmlib.notmuch_filenames_valid(self._files):
+        while self._valid(self._files):
             yield Filenames._get(self._files)
-            nmlib.notmuch_filenames_move_to_next(self._files)
+            self._move_to_next(self._files)
 
         self._files = None
 
     def __str__(self):
+        return unicode(self).encode('utf-8')
+
+    def __unicode__(self):
         """Represent Filenames() as newline-separated list of full paths
 
         .. note:: As this iterates over the filenames, we will not be
@@ -101,7 +114,11 @@ class Filenames(object):
         """
         return "\n".join(self)
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_filenames_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch filenames"""
         if self._files is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_filenames_destroy(self._files)
+            self._destroy(self._files)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/globals.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/globals.py
index de1db161..54a49b2d 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/globals.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/globals.py
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ along with notmuch.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 
-from ctypes import CDLL, c_char_p, c_int
-from ctypes.util import find_library
+from ctypes import CDLL, c_char_p, c_int, Structure, POINTER
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #package-global instance of the notmuch library
@@ -49,11 +48,11 @@ class Status(Enum):
 
     @classmethod
     def status2str(self, status):
-        """Get a string representation of a notmuch_status_t value."""
+        """Get a (unicode) string representation of a notmuch_status_t value."""
         # define strings for custom error messages
         if status == STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED:
-            return "Operation on uninitialized object impossible."
-        return str(Status._status2str(status))
+            return u"Operation on uninitialized object impossible."
+        return unicode(Status._status2str(status))
 
 STATUS = Status(['SUCCESS',
   'OUT_OF_MEMORY',
@@ -89,6 +88,7 @@ Invoke the class method `notmuch.STATUS.status2str` with a status value as
 argument to receive a human readable string"""
 STATUS.__name__ = 'STATUS'
 
+
 class NotmuchError(Exception):
     """Is initiated with a (notmuch.STATUS[, message=None]). It will not
     return an instance of the class NotmuchError, but a derived instance
@@ -97,7 +97,8 @@ class NotmuchError(Exception):
 
     @classmethod
     def get_exc_subclass(cls, status):
-        """Returns a fine grained Exception() type,detailing the error status"""
+        """Returns a fine grained Exception() type,
+        detailing the error status"""
         subclasses = {
             STATUS.OUT_OF_MEMORY: OutOfMemoryError,
             STATUS.READ_ONLY_DATABASE: ReadOnlyDatabaseError,
@@ -109,7 +110,7 @@ class NotmuchError(Exception):
             STATUS.TAG_TOO_LONG: TagTooLongError,
             STATUS.UNBALANCED_FREEZE_THAW: UnbalancedFreezeThawError,
             STATUS.UNBALANCED_ATOMIC: UnbalancedAtomicError,
-            STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED: NotInitializedError
+            STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED: NotInitializedError,
         }
         assert 0 < status <= len(subclasses)
         return subclasses[status]
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ class NotmuchError(Exception):
         # no 'status' or cls is subclass already, return 'cls' instance
         if not status or cls != NotmuchError:
             return super(NotmuchError, cls).__new__(cls)
-        subclass = cls.get_exc_subclass(status) # which class to use?
+        subclass = cls.get_exc_subclass(status)  # which class to use?
         return subclass.__new__(subclass, *args, **kwargs)
 
     def __init__(self, status=None, message=None):
@@ -133,35 +134,59 @@ class NotmuchError(Exception):
         self.message = message
 
     def __str__(self):
+        return unicode(self).encode('utf-8')
+
+    def __unicode__(self):
         if self.message is not None:
             return self.message
         elif self.status is not None:
             return STATUS.status2str(self.status)
         else:
-            return 'Unknown error'
+            return u'Unknown error'
+
 
 # List of Subclassed exceptions that correspond to STATUS values and are
 # subclasses of NotmuchError.
 class OutOfMemoryError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.OUT_OF_MEMORY
+
+
 class ReadOnlyDatabaseError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.READ_ONLY_DATABASE
+
+
 class XapianError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.XAPIAN_EXCEPTION
+
+
 class FileError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.FILE_ERROR
+
+
 class FileNotEmailError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.FILE_NOT_EMAIL
+
+
 class DuplicateMessageIdError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.DUPLICATE_MESSAGE_ID
+
+
 class NullPointerError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.NULL_POINTER
+
+
 class TagTooLongError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.TAG_TOO_LONG
+
+
 class UnbalancedFreezeThawError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.UNBALANCED_FREEZE_THAW
+
+
 class UnbalancedAtomicError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.UNBALANCED_ATOMIC
+
+
 class NotInitializedError(NotmuchError):
     """Derived from NotmuchError, this occurs if the underlying data
     structure (e.g. database is not initialized (yet) or an iterator has
@@ -170,7 +195,6 @@ class NotInitializedError(NotmuchError):
     status = STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED
 
 
-
 def _str(value):
     """Ensure a nicely utf-8 encoded string to pass to libnotmuch
 
@@ -182,3 +206,47 @@ def _str(value):
         return value.encode('UTF-8')
     return value
 
+
+class NotmuchDatabaseS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchDatabaseP = POINTER(NotmuchDatabaseS)
+
+
+class NotmuchQueryS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchQueryP = POINTER(NotmuchQueryS)
+
+
+class NotmuchThreadsS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchThreadsP = POINTER(NotmuchThreadsS)
+
+
+class NotmuchThreadS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchThreadP = POINTER(NotmuchThreadS)
+
+
+class NotmuchMessagesS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchMessagesP = POINTER(NotmuchMessagesS)
+
+
+class NotmuchMessageS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchMessageP = POINTER(NotmuchMessageS)
+
+
+class NotmuchTagsS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchTagsP = POINTER(NotmuchTagsS)
+
+
+class NotmuchDirectoryS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchDirectoryP = POINTER(NotmuchDirectoryS)
+
+
+class NotmuchFilenamesS(Structure):
+    pass
+NotmuchFilenamesP = POINTER(NotmuchFilenamesS)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/message.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/message.py
index 4bf90c22..ce8e7181 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/message.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/message.py
@@ -19,14 +19,14 @@ Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 
 
-from ctypes import c_char_p, c_void_p, c_long, c_uint, c_int
+from ctypes import c_char_p, c_long, c_uint, c_int
 from datetime import date
-from notmuch.globals import nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError, Enum, _str
+from notmuch.globals import (nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError, Enum, _str,
+    NotmuchTagsP, NotmuchMessagesP, NotmuchMessageP, NotmuchFilenamesP)
 from notmuch.tag import Tags
 from notmuch.filename import Filenames
 import sys
 import email
-import types
 try:
     import simplejson as json
 except ImportError:
@@ -92,10 +92,12 @@ class Messages(object):
 
     #notmuch_messages_get
     _get = nmlib.notmuch_messages_get
-    _get.restype = c_void_p
+    _get.argtypes = [NotmuchMessagesP]
+    _get.restype = NotmuchMessageP
 
     _collect_tags = nmlib.notmuch_messages_collect_tags
-    _collect_tags.restype = c_void_p
+    _collect_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchMessagesP]
+    _collect_tags.restype = NotmuchTagsP
 
     def __init__(self, msgs_p, parent=None):
         """
@@ -125,10 +127,12 @@ class Messages(object):
         """Return the unique :class:`Tags` in the contained messages
 
         :returns: :class:`Tags`
-        :exceptions: :exc:`NotmuchError` STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED if not inited
+        :exceptions: :exc:`NotmuchError` STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED if not init'ed
 
-        .. note:: :meth:`collect_tags` will iterate over the messages and
-          therefore will not allow further iterations.
+        .. note::
+
+            :meth:`collect_tags` will iterate over the messages and therefore
+            will not allow further iterations.
         """
         if self._msgs is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
@@ -146,16 +150,24 @@ class Messages(object):
         """ Make Messages an iterator """
         return self
 
+    _valid = nmlib.notmuch_messages_valid
+    _valid.argtypes = [NotmuchMessagesP]
+    _valid.restype = bool
+
+    _move_to_next = nmlib.notmuch_messages_move_to_next
+    _move_to_next.argtypes = [NotmuchMessagesP]
+    _move_to_next.restype = None
+
     def next(self):
         if self._msgs is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        if not nmlib.notmuch_messages_valid(self._msgs):
+        if not self._valid(self._msgs):
             self._msgs = None
             raise StopIteration
 
         msg = Message(Messages._get(self._msgs), self)
-        nmlib.notmuch_messages_move_to_next(self._msgs)
+        self._move_to_next(self._msgs)
         return msg
 
     def __nonzero__(self):
@@ -163,12 +175,16 @@ class Messages(object):
         :return: True if there is at least one more thread in the
             Iterator, False if not."""
         return self._msgs is not None and \
-            nmlib.notmuch_messages_valid(self._msgs) > 0
+            self._valid(self._msgs) > 0
+
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_messages_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchMessagesP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
 
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch Messages"""
         if self._msgs is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_messages_destroy(self._msgs)
+            self._destroy(self._msgs)
 
     def print_messages(self, format, indent=0, entire_thread=False):
         """Outputs messages as needed for 'notmuch show' to sys.stdout
@@ -235,44 +251,60 @@ class Message(object):
 
     """notmuch_message_get_filename (notmuch_message_t *message)"""
     _get_filename = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_filename
+    _get_filename.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _get_filename.restype = c_char_p
 
     """return all filenames for a message"""
     _get_filenames = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_filenames
-    _get_filenames.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_filenames.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _get_filenames.restype = NotmuchFilenamesP
 
     """notmuch_message_get_flag"""
     _get_flag = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_flag
-    _get_flag.restype = c_uint
+    _get_flag.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP, c_uint]
+    _get_flag.restype = bool
+
+    """notmuch_message_set_flag"""
+    _set_flag = nmlib.notmuch_message_set_flag
+    _set_flag.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP, c_uint, c_int]
+    _set_flag.restype = None
 
     """notmuch_message_get_message_id (notmuch_message_t *message)"""
     _get_message_id = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_message_id
+    _get_message_id.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _get_message_id.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_message_get_thread_id"""
     _get_thread_id = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_thread_id
+    _get_thread_id.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _get_thread_id.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_message_get_replies"""
     _get_replies = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_replies
-    _get_replies.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_replies.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _get_replies.restype = NotmuchMessagesP
 
     """notmuch_message_get_tags (notmuch_message_t *message)"""
     _get_tags = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_tags
-    _get_tags.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _get_tags.restype = NotmuchTagsP
 
     _get_date = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_date
+    _get_date.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _get_date.restype = c_long
 
     _get_header = nmlib.notmuch_message_get_header
+    _get_header.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP, c_char_p]
     _get_header.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_status_t ..._maildir_flags_to_tags (notmuch_message_t *)"""
     _tags_to_maildir_flags = nmlib.notmuch_message_tags_to_maildir_flags
+    _tags_to_maildir_flags.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _tags_to_maildir_flags.restype = c_int
 
     """notmuch_status_t ..._tags_to_maildir_flags (notmuch_message_t *)"""
     _maildir_flags_to_tags = nmlib.notmuch_message_maildir_flags_to_tags
+    _maildir_flags_to_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
     _maildir_flags_to_tags.restype = c_int
 
     #Constants: Flags that can be set/get with set_flag
@@ -328,14 +360,15 @@ class Message(object):
         """Gets all direct replies to this message as :class:`Messages`
         iterator
 
-        .. note:: This call only makes sense if 'message' was
-          ultimately obtained from a :class:`Thread` object, (such as
-          by coming directly from the result of calling
-          :meth:`Thread.get_toplevel_messages` or by any number of
-          subsequent calls to :meth:`get_replies`). If this message was
-          obtained through some non-thread means, (such as by a call
-          to :meth:`Query.search_messages`), then this function will
-          return `None`.
+        .. note::
+
+            This call only makes sense if 'message' was ultimately obtained from
+            a :class:`Thread` object, (such as by coming directly from the
+            result of calling :meth:`Thread.get_toplevel_messages` or by any
+            number of subsequent calls to :meth:`get_replies`). If this message
+            was obtained through some non-thread means, (such as by a call to
+            :meth:`Query.search_messages`), then this function will return
+            `None`.
 
         :returns: :class:`Messages` or `None` if there are no replies to
             this message.
@@ -394,7 +427,7 @@ class Message(object):
         header = Message._get_header(self._msg, header)
         if header == None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NULL_POINTER)
-        return header.decode('UTF-8')
+        return header.decode('UTF-8', errors='ignore')
 
     def get_filename(self):
         """Returns the file path of the message file
@@ -450,7 +483,7 @@ class Message(object):
         """
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        nmlib.notmuch_message_set_flag(self._msg, flag, value)
+        self._set_flag(self._msg, flag, value)
 
     def get_tags(self):
         """Returns the message tags
@@ -470,6 +503,10 @@ class Message(object):
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NULL_POINTER)
         return Tags(tags_p, self)
 
+    _add_tag = nmlib.notmuch_message_add_tag
+    _add_tag.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP, c_char_p]
+    _add_tag.restype = c_uint
+
     def add_tag(self, tag, sync_maildir_flags=False):
         """Adds a tag to the given message
 
@@ -504,7 +541,7 @@ class Message(object):
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_message_add_tag(self._msg, _str(tag))
+        status = self._add_tag(self._msg, _str(tag))
 
         # bail out on failure
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
@@ -514,6 +551,10 @@ class Message(object):
             self.tags_to_maildir_flags()
         return STATUS.SUCCESS
 
+    _remove_tag = nmlib.notmuch_message_remove_tag
+    _remove_tag.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP, c_char_p]
+    _remove_tag.restype = c_uint
+
     def remove_tag(self, tag, sync_maildir_flags=False):
         """Removes a tag from the given message
 
@@ -548,7 +589,7 @@ class Message(object):
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_message_remove_tag(self._msg, _str(tag))
+        status = self._remove_tag(self._msg, _str(tag))
         # bail out on error
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
             raise NotmuchError(status)
@@ -557,6 +598,10 @@ class Message(object):
             self.tags_to_maildir_flags()
         return STATUS.SUCCESS
 
+    _remove_all_tags = nmlib.notmuch_message_remove_all_tags
+    _remove_all_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _remove_all_tags.restype = c_uint
+
     def remove_all_tags(self, sync_maildir_flags=False):
         """Removes all tags from the given message.
 
@@ -585,7 +630,7 @@ class Message(object):
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_message_remove_all_tags(self._msg)
+        status = self._remove_all_tags(self._msg)
 
         # bail out on error
         if status != STATUS.SUCCESS:
@@ -595,12 +640,16 @@ class Message(object):
             self.tags_to_maildir_flags()
         return STATUS.SUCCESS
 
+    _freeze = nmlib.notmuch_message_freeze
+    _freeze.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _freeze.restype = c_uint
+
     def freeze(self):
         """Freezes the current state of 'message' within the database
 
         This means that changes to the message state, (via :meth:`add_tag`,
         :meth:`remove_tag`, and :meth:`remove_all_tags`), will not be
-        committed to the database until the message is :meth:`thaw`ed.
+        committed to the database until the message is :meth:`thaw` ed.
 
         Multiple calls to freeze/thaw are valid and these calls will
         "stack". That is there must be as many calls to thaw as to freeze
@@ -639,7 +688,7 @@ class Message(object):
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_message_freeze(self._msg)
+        status = self._freeze(self._msg)
 
         if STATUS.SUCCESS == status:
             # return on success
@@ -647,6 +696,10 @@ class Message(object):
 
         raise NotmuchError(status)
 
+    _thaw = nmlib.notmuch_message_thaw
+    _thaw.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _thaw.restype = c_uint
+
     def thaw(self):
         """Thaws the current 'message'
 
@@ -674,7 +727,7 @@ class Message(object):
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        status = nmlib.notmuch_message_thaw(self._msg)
+        status = self._thaw(self._msg)
 
         if STATUS.SUCCESS == status:
             # return on success
@@ -705,11 +758,11 @@ class Message(object):
         not work yet, as the modified tags have not been committed yet
         to the database.
 
-        :returns: a :class:`STATUS`. In short, you want to see
+        :returns: a :class:`STATUS` value. In short, you want to see
             notmuch.STATUS.SUCCESS here. See there for details."""
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        status = Message._tags_to_maildir_flags(self._msg)
+        return Message._tags_to_maildir_flags(self._msg)
 
     def maildir_flags_to_tags(self):
         """Synchronize file Maildir flags to notmuch tags
@@ -736,19 +789,21 @@ class Message(object):
             notmuch.STATUS.SUCCESS here. See there for details."""
         if self._msg is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        status = Message._tags_to_maildir_flags(self._msg)
+        return Message._tags_to_maildir_flags(self._msg)
 
     def __repr__(self):
         """Represent a Message() object by str()"""
         return self.__str__()
 
     def __str__(self):
-        """A message() is represented by a 1-line summary"""
-        msg = {}
-        msg['from'] = self.get_header('from')
-        msg['tags'] = self.get_tags()
-        msg['date'] = date.fromtimestamp(self.get_date())
-        return "%(from)s (%(date)s) (%(tags)s)" % (msg)
+        return unicode(self).encode('utf-8')
+
+    def __unicode__(self):
+        format = "%s (%s) (%s)"
+        return format % (self.get_header('from'),
+                         self.get_tags(),
+                         date.fromtimestamp(self.get_date()),
+                        )
 
     def get_message_parts(self):
         """Output like notmuch show"""
@@ -896,7 +951,11 @@ class Message(object):
             res = cmp(list(self.get_filenames()), list(other.get_filenames()))
         return res
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_message_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchMessageP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch Message"""
         if self._msg is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_message_destroy(self._msg)
+            self._destroy(self._msg)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/tag.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/tag.py
index 50e3686b..2fb7d328 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/tag.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/tag.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ along with notmuch.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 from ctypes import c_char_p
-from notmuch.globals import nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError
+from notmuch.globals import nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError, NotmuchTagsP
 
 
 class Tags(object):
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ class Tags(object):
 
     #notmuch_tags_get
     _get = nmlib.notmuch_tags_get
+    _get.argtypes = [NotmuchTagsP]
     _get.restype = c_char_p
 
     def __init__(self, tags_p, parent=None):
@@ -80,14 +81,22 @@ class Tags(object):
         """ Make Tags an iterator """
         return self
 
+    _valid = nmlib.notmuch_tags_valid
+    _valid.argtypes = [NotmuchTagsP]
+    _valid.restype = bool
+
+    _move_to_next = nmlib.notmuch_tags_move_to_next
+    _move_to_next.argtypes = [NotmuchTagsP]
+    _move_to_next.restype = None
+
     def next(self):
         if self._tags is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        if not nmlib.notmuch_tags_valid(self._tags):
+        if not self._valid(self._tags):
             self._tags = None
             raise StopIteration
         tag = Tags._get(self._tags).decode('UTF-8')
-        nmlib.notmuch_tags_move_to_next(self._tags)
+        self._move_to_next(self._tags)
         return tag
 
     def __nonzero__(self):
@@ -99,20 +108,28 @@ class Tags(object):
 
         :returns: True if the Tags() iterator has at least one more Tag
             left."""
-        return nmlib.notmuch_tags_valid(self._tags) > 0
+        return self._valid(self._tags) > 0
 
     def __str__(self):
-        """The str() representation of Tags() is a space separated list of tags
+        return unicode(self).encode('utf-8')
+
+    def __unicode__(self):
+        """string representation of :class:`Tags`: a space separated list of tags
 
-        .. note:: As this iterates over the tags, we will not be able
-               to iterate over them again (as in retrieve them)! If
-               the tags have been exhausted already, this will raise a
-               :exc:`NotmuchError` STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED on
-               subsequent attempts.
+        .. note::
+
+            As this iterates over the tags, we will not be able to iterate over
+            them again (as in retrieve them)! If the tags have been exhausted
+            already, this will raise a :exc:`NotmuchError`
+            STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED on subsequent attempts.
         """
         return " ".join(self)
 
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_tags_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchTagsP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
+
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch tags"""
         if self._tags is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_tags_destroy(self._tags)
+            self._destroy(self._tags)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/thread.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/thread.py
index 5e08eb31..5058846d 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/thread.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/thread.py
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ along with notmuch.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 Copyright 2010 Sebastian Spaeth <Sebastian@SSpaeth.de>'
 """
 
-from ctypes import c_char_p, c_void_p, c_long
-from notmuch.globals import nmlib, STATUS, NotmuchError
+from ctypes import c_char_p, c_long, c_int
+from notmuch.globals import (nmlib, STATUS,
+    NotmuchError, NotmuchThreadP, NotmuchThreadsP, NotmuchMessagesP,
+    NotmuchTagsP,)
 from notmuch.message import Messages
 from notmuch.tag import Tags
 from datetime import date
@@ -75,7 +77,8 @@ class Threads(object):
 
     #notmuch_threads_get
     _get = nmlib.notmuch_threads_get
-    _get.restype = c_void_p
+    _get.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadsP]
+    _get.restype = NotmuchThreadP
 
     def __init__(self, threads_p, parent=None):
         """
@@ -105,16 +108,24 @@ class Threads(object):
         """ Make Threads an iterator """
         return self
 
+    _valid = nmlib.notmuch_threads_valid
+    _valid.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadsP]
+    _valid.restype = bool
+
+    _move_to_next = nmlib.notmuch_threads_move_to_next
+    _move_to_next.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadsP]
+    _move_to_next.restype = None
+
     def next(self):
         if self._threads is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
 
-        if not nmlib.notmuch_threads_valid(self._threads):
+        if not self._valid(self._threads):
             self._threads = None
             raise StopIteration
 
         thread = Thread(Threads._get(self._threads), self)
-        nmlib.notmuch_threads_move_to_next(self._threads)
+        self._move_to_next(self._threads)
         return thread
 
     def __len__(self):
@@ -134,8 +145,8 @@ class Threads(object):
 
         i = 0
         # returns 'bool'. On out-of-memory it returns None
-        while nmlib.notmuch_threads_valid(self._threads):
-            nmlib.notmuch_threads_move_to_next(self._threads)
+        while self._valid(self._threads):
+            self._move_to_next(self._threads)
             i += 1
         # reset self._threads to mark as "exhausted"
         self._threads = None
@@ -153,12 +164,16 @@ class Threads(object):
            Iterator, False if not. None on a "Out-of-memory" error.
         """
         return self._threads is not None and \
-            nmlib.notmuch_threads_valid(self._threads) > 0
+            self._valid(self._threads) > 0
+
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_threads_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadsP]
+    _destroy.argtypes = None
 
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch Threads"""
         if self._threads is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_messages_destroy(self._threads)
+            self._destroy(self._threads)
 
 
 class Thread(object):
@@ -166,29 +181,36 @@ class Thread(object):
 
     """notmuch_thread_get_thread_id"""
     _get_thread_id = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_thread_id
+    _get_thread_id.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
     _get_thread_id.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_thread_get_authors"""
     _get_authors = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_authors
+    _get_authors.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
     _get_authors.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_thread_get_subject"""
     _get_subject = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_subject
+    _get_subject.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
     _get_subject.restype = c_char_p
 
     """notmuch_thread_get_toplevel_messages"""
     _get_toplevel_messages = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_toplevel_messages
-    _get_toplevel_messages.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_toplevel_messages.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
+    _get_toplevel_messages.restype = NotmuchMessagesP
 
     _get_newest_date = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_newest_date
+    _get_newest_date.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
     _get_newest_date.restype = c_long
 
     _get_oldest_date = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_oldest_date
+    _get_oldest_date.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
     _get_oldest_date.restype = c_long
 
     """notmuch_thread_get_tags"""
     _get_tags = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_tags
-    _get_tags.restype = c_void_p
+    _get_tags.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
+    _get_tags.restype = NotmuchTagsP
 
     def __init__(self, thread_p, parent=None):
         """
@@ -225,6 +247,10 @@ class Thread(object):
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
         return Thread._get_thread_id(self._thread)
 
+    _get_total_messages = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_total_messages
+    _get_total_messages.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
+    _get_total_messages.restype = c_int
+
     def get_total_messages(self):
         """Get the total number of messages in 'thread'
 
@@ -236,7 +262,7 @@ class Thread(object):
         """
         if self._thread is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        return nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_total_messages(self._thread)
+        return self._get_total_messages(self._thread)
 
     def get_toplevel_messages(self):
         """Returns a :class:`Messages` iterator for the top-level messages in
@@ -267,6 +293,10 @@ class Thread(object):
 
         return Messages(msgs_p, self)
 
+    _get_matched_messages = nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_matched_messages
+    _get_matched_messages.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
+    _get_matched_messages.restype = c_int
+
     def get_matched_messages(self):
         """Returns the number of messages in 'thread' that matched the query
 
@@ -278,7 +308,7 @@ class Thread(object):
         """
         if self._thread is None:
             raise NotmuchError(STATUS.NOT_INITIALIZED)
-        return nmlib.notmuch_thread_get_matched_messages(self._thread)
+        return self._get_matched_messages(self._thread)
 
     def get_authors(self):
         """Returns the authors of 'thread'
@@ -295,7 +325,7 @@ class Thread(object):
         authors = Thread._get_authors(self._thread)
         if authors is None:
             return None
-        return authors.decode('UTF-8')
+        return authors.decode('UTF-8', errors='ignore')
 
     def get_subject(self):
         """Returns the Subject of 'thread'
@@ -308,7 +338,7 @@ class Thread(object):
         subject = Thread._get_subject(self._thread)
         if subject is None:
             return None
-        return subject.decode('UTF-8')
+        return subject.decode('UTF-8', errors='ignore')
 
     def get_newest_date(self):
         """Returns time_t of the newest message date
@@ -362,32 +392,25 @@ class Thread(object):
         return Tags(tags_p, self)
 
     def __str__(self):
-        """A str(Thread()) is represented by a 1-line summary"""
-        thread = {}
-        thread['id'] = self.get_thread_id()
+        return unicode(self).encode('utf-8')
+
+    def __unicode__(self):
+        frm = "thread:%s %12s [%d/%d] %s; %s (%s)"
 
-        ###TODO: How do we find out the current sort order of Threads?
-        ###Add a "sort" attribute to the Threads() object?
-        #if (sort == NOTMUCH_SORT_OLDEST_FIRST)
-        #         date = notmuch_thread_get_oldest_date (thread);
-        #else
-        #         date = notmuch_thread_get_newest_date (thread);
-        thread['date'] = date.fromtimestamp(self.get_newest_date())
-        thread['matched'] = self.get_matched_messages()
-        thread['total'] = self.get_total_messages()
-        thread['authors'] = self.get_authors()
-        thread['subject'] = self.get_subject()
-        thread['tags'] = self.get_tags()
+        return frm % (self.get_thread_id(),
+                      date.fromtimestamp(self.get_newest_date()),
+                      self.get_matched_messages(),
+                      self.get_total_messages(),
+                      self.get_authors(),
+                      self.get_subject(),
+                      self.get_tags(),
+                     )
 
-        return "thread:%s %12s [%d/%d] %s; %s (%s)" % (thread['id'],
-                                                       thread['date'],
-                                                       thread['matched'],
-                                                       thread['total'],
-                                                       thread['authors'],
-                                                       thread['subject'],
-                                                       thread['tags'])
+    _destroy = nmlib.notmuch_thread_destroy
+    _destroy.argtypes = [NotmuchThreadP]
+    _destroy.restype = None
 
     def __del__(self):
         """Close and free the notmuch Thread"""
         if self._thread is not None:
-            nmlib.notmuch_thread_destroy(self._thread)
+            self._destroy(self._thread)
diff --git a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
index fd414b0a..59c396fe 100644
--- a/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
+++ b/bindings/python/notmuch/version.py
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 # this file should be kept in sync with ../../../version
-__VERSION__ = '0.10.2'
+__VERSION__ = '0.11'