Derek Tangye (1912–1996)

Derek Tangye never fails me! I’ve read so many of his books that reading this was like coming back to visit a friend. Actually, I was surprised to find a title I hadn’t read! The story revolves around an animal. A cat, another black cat that’s mysteriously appeared. Minack seems to be a magnet for stray animals who, in spite of strong discouragement by Derek and gentle encouragement by Jeannie always end up as part of life at the cottage. Another lovely look into their life on the cliffs of Cornwall. If you’ve never read any of The Minack Chronicles, do yourself a favour. They’re a marvellous bit of relaxing escapism and who doesn’t need some of that these days!… (más)

When the Winds Blow by Derek Tangye is one of his Minack chronicles that details his life on a Cornish cliff-side daffodil farm. He and his wife, Jeanne, enjoy the simple life surrounded by nature and their own collections of pets. This particular book focuses on their cats Oliver and Ambrose as well as their donkeys.

I find these simple stories great comfort reads whether the author is philosophizing about why this couple thrived in this rustic environment or simply describing a leisurely stroll about their property observing the natural world. Their pets which included cats, donkeys, geese, gulls and other animal visitors all have distinct personalities and the author has charming memories of them all.… (más)

This is mostly an interesting enough book, albeit not exactly riveting. It is a series of adventures of a man and his wife who chose to live on a flower farm in Cornwall. So, we get tales about their interactions with their cats and donkeys, sorting and shipping daffodils during harvest season, taking long walks, having famous people stop by to visit, mulling over the "important" things of life, and so forth. Mostly, it's light and humorous, somewhat like the James Herriot books about life as a country veterinarian.

The big flaw in the book, however, is Tangye's sanctimonious disparagement of the vast unwashed people who appear to lack the moral strength of character (in his telling) to live in and with nature, but rather spend their lives mindlessly going about drudge jobs and watching vapid TV. If memory serves, vapidity was common in the novels of Jane Austen and Dickens, so vapidity struck society long before TV.

Actually, I don't have much problem with Tangye's thinking that we all might be better off living lives more aware of the natural world around us, and less consumed with mindless distractions. The problem is, most of us can't afford to throw up our lives in the city, or wherever, and settle down to bucolic bliss on a farm in Cornwall. Tangye was a child of privilege who was educated at Harrow, who married a spouse who had written several successful books and had sold a number of paintings, and who had himself written several books and had a successful career as a journalist. So he could afford to throw things over and begin anew in bucolic bliss. He would never really have to worry about from whence his next meal might come. So it's the moral judgmentalism that rankles. When he gets on these tangents, mercifully not too often, I am rather reminded of the quote, assigned in jest to Barry Goldwater, "everyone should have enough moral integrity to inherit a million dollars."… (más)

An uplifting read of a young couple, Derek and Jeannie, who chuck their jobs in the big city to make a life growing daffodils in Cornwall. As a young bride, Jeannie finds a way to convert her dog loving husband into a somewhat tolerant fellow by convincing him the little black kitten she wants to bring home will keep the mice population at bay. Of course, little Monty, attaches himself to the one least likely to appreciate his presence and a feline love affair begins. Through the years, cats come and go, other animals join the family and life carries on. A nice respite from today's world into one where people find joy and contentment in each other, their land, occupation and animals.
Edit | More… (más)