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katewhite77's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
I loved this book so much, and it makes for wonderful bedtime reading.
I want to revisit the old TV adaptation of the eighties staring Christopher Timothy, Peter Davison, and Robert Hardy, but being the bookworm that I am, I wanted to make sure I read the books alongside this time.
The first volume of these fictionalised memoirs tells of James Herriot"s first three years of veterinary practice in the inhospitable but beautiful landscape of the Yorkshire dales.
James moves in above the practice and lives with his boss Siegfried Farnon, the owner of the practice and wayward younger brother Tristan, with a long-suffering housekeeper, Mrs Hall and along side a much loved pack of dogs.
Upon arrival soon learns he will have to get used to the local lingo and that Yorkshire folk don't like parting with their brass. However, once James settles in a host of eccentric locals, really take him to heart, and he they. They often ask to stay for "a bit a dinner" after a job.
My favourite part of the book is when we meet Tricky-Woo, for whom James implements a very unusual treatment plan.
I read this book over two months, and you know it's been good when it becomes like a friend. I will miss it tonight, but luckily, when I have had a little time away, there are more books in this series to dive into.
I want to revisit the old TV adaptation of the eighties staring Christopher Timothy, Peter Davison, and Robert Hardy, but being the bookworm that I am, I wanted to make sure I read the books alongside this time.
The first volume of these fictionalised memoirs tells of James Herriot"s first three years of veterinary practice in the inhospitable but beautiful landscape of the Yorkshire dales.
James moves in above the practice and lives with his boss Siegfried Farnon, the owner of the practice and wayward younger brother Tristan, with a long-suffering housekeeper, Mrs Hall and along side a much loved pack of dogs.
Upon arrival soon learns he will have to get used to the local lingo and that Yorkshire folk don't like parting with their brass. However, once James settles in a host of eccentric locals, really take him to heart, and he they. They often ask to stay for "a bit a dinner" after a job.
My favourite part of the book is when we meet Tricky-Woo, for whom James implements a very unusual treatment plan.
I read this book over two months, and you know it's been good when it becomes like a friend. I will miss it tonight, but luckily, when I have had a little time away, there are more books in this series to dive into.
timeislikeariver's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5
my mom used to read me this book before bed :)
bechlette47's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
5.0
Very cute and often humorous stories of a young vet in the English countryside. Many mild descriptions of animal anatomy and surgery (especially birthing).
Content Warnings
Minor: Excrement, Blood, Medical content, and Animal death
unanun's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Undoubtably whimsical, waxing poetic, and romantically inspired by rural life, this semi-autobiographical book makes a case for a simple life where people do their best to find the joy in life without the hedonism of the modern city. This book helped me develop an appreciation for animals and imparted a bit of stoicism on me regarding dealing with forces beyond my control. It is also funny in a classic British way.
missyjohnson's review against another edition
2.0
sweet book but the individual stories too often did not seem completed. I would get to the end of a chapter and it would seem as if it just stopped. almost as if to say "and that happened" The personality of Seigfried was never developed beyond his "patience" and "absentmindedness". this was frustrating. There were so few comments on how anyone dealt with it other than just ignoring. I would have liked to have learned more about the folks in the community. there were often glimpses of interesting folks only to be left with a single sentence of description.
hannahcomer4d's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I don't know why I wasn't expecting much, but I was delightfully surprised by the vivid details, humorous characterizations, and strong heart running through this book. The extra bonus of it being narrated by James's actor in the wonderful recent TV show was icing on the cake. I look forward to listening to the next book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Alcohol and Emotional abuse
cath518's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
A true classic. Why I haven't read it before now is beyond me but now I'm going to read the series.
James Herriot (his pen name) is a country vet in Yorkshire, England. He has just recently graduated from veterinary school and is looking for a position with Siegfried Farnon, who owns the practice. James is quickly thrust into the rural veterinary practice and endears himself to the townspeople. He meets Helen, whom he later marries, while tending to one of her family's animals. The "tales" are not graphic and some are even comical but each chapter is about one of his memorable and/or strange cases as a vet.
A truly delightful read.
James Herriot (his pen name) is a country vet in Yorkshire, England. He has just recently graduated from veterinary school and is looking for a position with Siegfried Farnon, who owns the practice. James is quickly thrust into the rural veterinary practice and endears himself to the townspeople. He meets Helen, whom he later marries, while tending to one of her family's animals. The "tales" are not graphic and some are even comical but each chapter is about one of his memorable and/or strange cases as a vet.
A truly delightful read.