Not another Herriot!

R. Eric Swanepoel, veterinarian and author of "Saving the World and Being Happy" (available from 18 August 2004 with an official release date of 4 October), is about as different from James Herriot as you can get. Scottish-born, Zimbabwe-reared Eric qualified in South Africa in 1987 and immediately returned to the UK. Since then he has never worked for a mixed practice in the Yorkshire Dales, nor does his first novel contain anything about vetting. But surely his experience in small animal practices the length and breadth of mainland Britain has had some influence on his writing?

(PRWEB) August 21, 2004 -- Eric explains the links between his profession and his novel: Just how many 3 a.m. call-outs and inspissated you-know-whats do you need to motivate the search for an alternative source of income? But seriously, my novel, although a romantic comedy, is also political. It addresses the widening gap between the rich and poor, the educated and the illiterate. Doing small-animal locums really sensitises you to how unequal our society is. On the one hand you meet PDSA and RSPCA clients, some of whom are barely literate and unable to grasp even something as simple as the basics of flea control, let alone afford it; on the other hand you have clients who spend thousands to have their supposedly oddly-behaving poodles brain-scanned, all because of their own neuroses. If you think at all, then you have to realise that theres something fundamentally wrong."

It sounds a bit depressing, but if Tony Cook, Chief Executive of ABCtales.com and Co-Founder of Red Pepper magazine, is to be believed Eric Swanepoel's first novel is a great read. He moves from rite of passage for the individual to rite of passage for the planet in a bold dramatic sweep. This is a funny, thought-provoking and intelligent book. I recommend it to you."

There must be at least one veterinary experience he has tapped? Well, theres this old woman who shares her flat with tens of geriatric cats.... Im sure most vets have visited her at one time or another!"

"Saving the World and Being Happy", subtitled "The Computer Ager" (ISBN 141371756X), is available in trade paperback format (379 pages) from most online suppliers and the publishers (www.publishbritannica.com). It will soon be orderable in bookstores. Full details here: www.BeingHappy.info