A review by theavidreaderandbibliophile
The Wonderful World of James Herriot by James Herriot

4.0

The Wonderful World of James Herriot by James Herriot is a charming collection of stories. I enjoy watching All Creatures Great and Small which is why I wanted to read the stories that inspired the series. I enjoyed the introduction written by the author’s adult children, Jim Wright and Rosie Page. I like that the author provides context before each chapter. I found the book to be easy to read. We are taken back to a simpler time with this collection of tales. The author’s descriptions of the Yorkshire Dales allowed me to envision them. I could see the rolling countryside with the farms. I love the characters (James, Helen, Mrs. Hall, the Farnon brothers). The veterinarians addressed a variety of issues. They treated cats, dogs, cows, horses, pigs, goats, and more. I am amazed at the medical issues they addressed. If you are squeamish, some of the descriptions will be off putting (I skimmed through some of these sections). This is a lovely collection of stories. You can read one or all of them. I enjoyed this trip to the past where you can see Herriot’s love for people and animals.