Waiting in the Wings

Rating:
Summary: Adjusting to life after the death of Charles in Somerset
Review: 'Waiting in the Wings' is a departure from Doreen Tovey's usual style of writing and approach to her subject matter. This book is the culmination of the development of the theme of the life she lived with her husband Charles and their animals in the Mendip Hills of Somerset and consequently is one of the best she has produced so far. Unlike most of her previous works which focus mainly on the idiosyncrasies of the cats and Annabel, the donkey, the focus of this book merges with that of her relationship with Charles. His death and the gradual process of adjusting to a life without him are the main theme of this book. As the author comes to terms with her loss she learns how life continues to go on yet never losing the feeling that Charles is never far away. Her natural and easy humour that is a well known trademark of her earlier works is still very much in evidence as she adjusts to learning new skills and asserts her determination to continue living in her isolated cottage. The cats and Annabel continue to provide plenty of embarrassing and wonderful moments as well as sadness but throughout the book Mrs Tovey never looses hope. Her struggles with learning to drive, holidays with her caravan, whitwashing and redecorating the cottage, her researches into her husband's family tree, encounters with spiritualism and interest in the life of T.E. Lawrence are just some of the many incidents and activities she continued to be involoved with after Charles's death. Her friendship with Derek and Jean Tangye (of the Minack Chronicles) and Joyce Fussey (author of the Westwath books) is mentioned for the first time along with her continuing interest in the happenings of people she encounters in her everyday life, especially her Aunt Louisa and neighbours in the village. This work is not only inspirational and entertaining but also is evident of Mrs Tovey's matured style without losing sight of the humour that is so characteristic of all her earlier works and one looks forward to what else she will produce in the future.