Jeannie: A Love Story

I discovered Derek Tangye and his wonderful books in my twenties, and I tore through them like a child tears though his Christmas presents. Derek and his wife, Jeannie, chucked successful jobs and a glittering lifestyle in London, bought a tumbledown cottage in Cornwall and took up daffodil farming. Derek was already a published author, and both he an Jeannie soon found that writing was a great way to enhance and support their lifestyle.

His books were about their life at Minack, and almost always involved the animals that found shelter there, from various cats, to donkeys and even seagulls. These wonderfully written books captured peoples imagination and it wasn’t too long before Minack was a popular destination for tourists from show more around the world.

Unfortunately Derek lost his Jeannie in 1986. Jeannie: A Love Story is his final love letter to her. This is a tribute to the woman he loved, the woman who left so much to eke out a living in an isolated place with no electricity, no bathroom, no phone. Of course, their success at writing eventually added the modern conveniences, but they never did put in a telephone or a television, and although they always welcomed visitors, they rather fancied their time alone. Obviously Derek loved his wife very much and honours both her memory and the idyllic lifestyle they created for themselves. show less

I loved the book, but do not like the cover. After having read all Derek Tangye's books over the years, I have come to know and love Jeannie, like I'm sure half the world does! She was one of those 'special' people who lived life to the fullest and had time for everybody and everything. For me, this is probably the best of his books. Read it, discover who Jeannie was and be glad you did! I would love to have met her.