Lama

The Minack Chronicles

by Derek Tangye

An autobiography of a family living in Cornwall, UK and how they were chosen by a storm-tossed, black kitten, Lama, as her family.
This true story is filled with the aura of English people, not hurried, not frantic, very observant of nature, showing a true warmth and love for animals, the Cornish countryside is shown as a desirable place in which to live.
There is no cuteness about anyone in the book, no maudlin emotions, frank enjoyment lies herein.
Captivating, yes, that's the word!

Genres: Animals, Cats, Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

During WWII, Derek Tangye worked for MI5 (the U.K.'s domestic counter-intelligence and security agency) and, after the war, he worked as a newspaper columnist. His wife, Jeannie Nicol Tangye, was a hotel PR executive. They both left their jobs in the city to move to a simple cottage on a flower farm in Cornwall.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tangye wrote a series of cozy animal books similar to Doreen Tovey’s. He and his wife Jean ran a flower farm in Cornwall and had a succession of cats, along with donkeys and a Muscovy duck named Boris. After the death of their beloved cat Monty, Jean wanted a kitten for Christmas but Tangye, who considered himself a one-cat man rather than a wholesale cat lover, hesitated. The matter was decided for them when a little black stray started coming round and soon made herself at home. (Her name is a tribute to the Dalai Lama’s safe flight from Tibet.) Mild adventures ensue, such as Lama going down a badger sett and Jeannie convincing herself that she’s identified another stray as Lama’s mother. Pleasant, if slight; I’ll read more by Tangye.

[Kay Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a re-read of a favourite of mine. I discovered the writings of Derek Tangye via his wife Jean's book about her work at the Savoy in London. The couple's retirement from the rough and tumble of life in busy London to a cottage in Cornwall where they learned about growing flowers for the London markets instead.
What I enjoy about this author's writing in this book and also the others that belong to the life in Cornwall, is the picture of that life that is painted with words, and the occasional fun line drawing.
Lama is an enchanting little cat who absolutely manages to captivate and convert Tangye from a non-cat person to becoming totally besotted.
It's good relaxing reading for the merry madness of the Christmas/New Year holiday break. Positive and fun it also provides relief from the more gruelling aspects of life in the modern global world we now inhabit. It's pre-internet and mobiles and notebooks and ipads and life is leisurely and people hold conversations face to face not on facebook or the other social networks that have become an essential in modern living.
It is great to live in the current era and enjoy the benefits, and the trials, of technoogy; but it's also not such a bad thing to reflect on times gone by and gain a sense of the 'slow' life and an ability to perhaps live in the moment.

[Dr Susan Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another meditative read from Tangye regarding his and Jeannie's life at Minack, Cornwall and the animals who share their life. This one concentrates a wild black kitten that takes over the special place when Monty their previous cat died. Illustrated with black and white photos. Lama's origin is a mystery until they come across another cat. Evokes their good life beside the Atlantic coast and the wonder of a purring feline sharing your life.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mildly enjoyable read about the stray kitten who makes her home with Tangye and his wife in their Cornish cottage. I've read a few of Tangye's books, and this is much the same as the others - it's pleasant to read but nothing outstanding.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another sweet, intelligent book, cats, flower farm, thoughts.

[Betty Truitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book for its genuine relating of how a cat relates to its people. How the people relate to their environment, friends, family, other animals in their lives. The Tangye couple might seem dull and boring at first, but their lives are rich with hope, love, hardworking ethic, enjoying the beauty which surrounds them. Typical Brits, in my humble opinion! Respectfully, do read this one!

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely, quiet book. About a cat, a farm, and an interesting way of life.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first read of The Minack Chronicles and my favourite!