The Reluctant Farmer of Whimsey Hill

By: Bradford Smith, Lynn Raven, Nancy Raven Smith

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

The award-winning, humorous true story of an animal-phobic, city robotics engineer who learns too late that his new bride's dream is to have a farm where she can rescue ex-racehorses. When the newlyweds take a Meyers-Briggs Personality Test for fun, they discover their marriage is doomed. There is only one problem: they took the test after the wedding.

So whether he's chasing a cow named Pork Chop through the woods, getting locked in a tack room by the family pony, being snubbed by his wife's favorite dog, or unsuccessfully trying to modernize their barn using the latest technology, the odds are already stacked against him. It seems like everything on four legs is out to get him. Will the animals prove Meyers-Briggs right? Will he admit defeat, or will he fight to keep his family and the farm together?

©2015 Bradford M. Smith (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A witty memoir reminding us that the best lessons in life are beyond the edge of one's comfort zone, and can only be towed there by the heartstrings." (Jean Abernethy, creator of Fergus the Horse)

Wonderful laughter

This book made me laugh out loud so many times (the last part about Amy and the story of Izzy and Dana being definite exceptions). The self-deprecating humor of the writing was ehanced by the reader's performce--it was so on point.

Such a lovely, fun book. It was over too soon.

Farm country living in Virginia

What a fun book to discover and enjoy! It’s almost like a description of my childhood. Right down to horse shows, barn chores, lots of critters, and naughty ponies. Most amazingly, it starts out in Great Falls, VA on Beach Mill Road in 1967. Which happens to be when my family built our house on Montpelier Rd, just off Beach Mill. Wow, what a small world! I really enjoyed the story.

Enjoyed it!

As an animal rescuer myself, and one that grew up in the 60s/70s, I understood Nancy to a tee.

The book is fun and well-written. I think anyone who is drawn to live with and interact with animals throughout their life will resonate with this book. Enjoy!

Very funny!

Very funny! Very relatable! Just a story of a man’s journey into farming and living in the country!

Heartwarming. Wonderfully told story.

Loved this book... a well told, "G" rated story. How refreshing.
Listened to it over a 2 night period.... Didn't want to stop. Easily connected with the various situations as I lay in bed listening late into the night with 3 young cats laying by my right shoulder and my 14 year old Border Collie laying at mt feet.
I hate to say this but I wish the narrator had been a different voice.

Animals,kids & horses need I say more?

Loved it! The characters were very relatable. Being an equestrian & a homesteader myself , the antics were charming and also relatable. pete Berkrot did a wonderful job on the narration. More old friends to miss now the story is finished. Take a chance on this one I doubt you'll regret it.

Has promise...

... but between the writing and the reading I couldn't stay awake. I'll hang onto it though. Maybe another time.

I should have enjoyed this, but…

It maybe a good story, but I hated the author more and more as it went on I’m amazed that someone who thinks himself so smart can’t perceive that, while his small acts of stupidity may be entertaining, his overwhelming control over his family obviously caused a lot of stress and sadness. If he’s still alive, I hope he read his own book and learned not to be such a petty little tyrant