Authors: a review

Since my Ishiguro experience a few months ago and having the honour of seeing and at least saying hello to the great man in the flesh (albeit for all of 5 seconds) I’ve been given some serious food for thought. Reading is an essential part of my life. An activity I spend a whole chunk of that life doing and, given the time, would do a whole lot more of. I delve into these magnificent worlds, the fantastic imaginings of brilliant minds…it’s a pretty intimate experience when you think about it. But am I particularly bothered about getting to know these minds I feel I know so well in the flesh? I can’t say I do. Harsh, I know.

One astute blogger recently wrote a thought-provoking piece on escapism that really spoke to me. I have a fairly frenetic lifestyle and escapism is a necessity to keep me from going completely bonkers and to give my head a break from reality. Some do it with TV, etc, I do it with books and frankly, I suppose coming face to face with the creators of these worlds I love so much makes things just a little too real and, well, let’s face it, could leave a reader open for some serious disappointment….

That said, I’ve been mulling on those writers, living and not-so living, that I could make an exception for…..

1. Terry Pratchett (1948 – 2015)

I haven’t read nearly enough Terry Pratchett in my life and am worried I feel a little too old to be able to delve into Discworld as deeply as I once might have been able to. Regardless of my woeful familiarity with his work, Pratchett’s public battle with Alzheimer’s Disease brought much-needed publicity to the illness, along with welcome donation to Alzheimer research. An inspiring man and author.

2. Margaret Atwood

This woman is just epic. The creator of so many wonderful worlds; from the Canadian wilderness to 1930s Ontario to the terrifying, dystopian Republic of Gilead. I can’t read her back catalogue too quickly… What happens when I run out?!

3. Donna Tartt

Totally peeved that I can’t find a picture of Donna Tartt I’m allowed to use because she is too cool. So cool with her androgynous vibes that I’d probably feel a bit intimidated if I met her…but I wouldn’t mind too much. Anyone who came up with the wonderousness that is The Goldfinch is worth a meet in my book.

4. Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris’ novels are just sweet as pie and, as I read a Dickens’ every Winter, I’m beginning to wonder if I should read one of her books every Summer, for that bit of sunshine-filled magic. Mmm. Plus she’s hilarious on Twitter. Someone I could definitely see myself partaking of a few gins with… chin chin!

5. Beatrix Potter (1866 – 1943)

A country girl like myself, I feel like Beatrix would have been a joy to be around. Full of imagination and sweet stories and passionate about nature and animals, I love Renée Zellweger’s interpretation of her the best.

6. Derek Tangye (1912-1996)

Derek Tangye was my kindred spirit. Leaving his city job to retreat to the countryside with his flowers and animals (most famously, his cats) I would give anything to follow in his footsteps. Perhaps I will one day!

7. Neil Gaiman

Another author I haven’t read nearly enough of but, after reading the wonderful, comforting The Ocean at the End of the Lane, really need to experience more. Plus. He’s a total dude. (Another favourite Twitter account)

8. Paul Gallico (1897 – 1976)

Another author chosen almost purely (as well as his wonderful writing of course) based on his love for cats. Purrr!

9.Hilary Mantel

Another engaging lady I would be honoured to meet. She’s so utterly smart and passionate and, let’s face it, although a novelist knows her onions when it comes to the Tudors. Her 2013 speech on the Royals was powerful and just check her hold her own against the patriarch of Tudor historians David Starkey;

10. Ernest Hemingway (1899 – 1961)

Oh Ernest, I’m sure the rumours are true and you were a total pr**k, but cor blimey I’d like to tussle with you. You live loving, hunting, fishing, bullfighting son of a gun.

Which authors would you like to meet in real life? Who have you been lucky enough to meet already?

Somewhere a Cat is Waiting

The Relish family are all cat-aficionados, myself included. Until I moved away to University and the seriously none cat-friendly zones of Manchester halls of residence I had never lived without them and my life is all the better for it. Wily, independent, cuddly, grumpy, intelligent and massively stupid, all of them have enriched our lives and therefore any literature written for and by cat lovers will always be a winner for me.

Warner Books : Paperback : 2000 : Fiction : 329 pages

Already won over by Paul Gallico’s cat stories (see: Jennie) and Collette’s spellbinding The Cat, Derek Tangye’s Minack Chronicles have been teasing me from the shelves for years….I’d just been waiting for a special occasion. Turns out November 2012 was that special occasion I’d been waiting for. Call it a Jessie Lamb hangover cure.

Derek Tangye’s autobiographical tales of his life in Minack with his wife Jeannie and their menagerie of cats, birds and donkeys is the ultimate escapist novel, made all the better by the fact that it all happened in real life. Mr and Mrs Tangye abandoned their high-flying City jobs (Derek at MI5 and Jeannie as PR exec for the Savoy Hotel) to live the rural dream on the Cornish Coast. Starting up a small flower growing farm (back in the days when running such a business was possible) we follow the Tangyes in their simple life and, most importantly, chart their relationship with their feline friends; Monty, Lama, Ambrose and Oliver. (And Derek’s personal transformation from cat-skeptic to cat-lover.)

Don’t be fooled. You don’t need to be a crazy-cat lady to appreciate the charm of this novel, and it really isn’t as twee as the cover might suggest. The real beauty of this book comes in the couples’ complete rejection of the money-orientated attitude and lifestyle so many (read: too many) people revolve their lives around. Although veering onto the slightly smug side of things at times (and who can blame them), Somewhere a cat is waiting is just so wonderfully simple. What could be more beautiful than living among and appreciating nature, animals and all the other more important things in life. Aaaah it makes me want to own a croft and start knitting…or basket weaving and planting sunflowers….

Next time you’re feeling blue and at odds with that shallow world out there, pick up a Tangye. You can’t go wrong.