All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

[LitNetIsGreat]

Any other fans of this book? I’m nearing the end of it and have loved it, very funny. Also watching the TV series on You Tube.

I don’t know what to try next, one or his other books or something else along these lines? Anyone read one of his other books?

[*Classic*Charm*]

I love his books!

Definitely keep reading them in order, as they progress chronologically (they're autobiographical, after all).

I used to watch the tv series with my mother when I was a kid. They were highly influential in my deciding I wanted to be a vet :)

[LitNetIsGreat]

Oh wow, great stuff. I'll order the second one then I think.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Definitely worth it :)

There simply aren't other books in this subject area that touch his style, in my opinion. Either you have stories written by vets that lack Herriot's wonderful narration, or you have cute animal stories that lack the grime only a real vet can understand. There really isn't anything else like them.

Random side note: one of my undergrad professors reminded me of James Herriot. He was from the north of England and farmed sheep when he was younger. One day he said to me "You ought to be a sheep farmer you know. You've got tiny hands that will fit right in there." Referring to a sheep's uterus. If you've read the chapters on lambing season, that will make sense. If not, I'll look like a nut.

[Scheherazade]

I remember watching the TV series as a teen and loving them. Didn't even realise that they were based on a book. Maybe I will add his books to the everlasting "to-be-read" list.

[Calidore]

I can second (or third, or however many we're up to) the series. All four books are very entertaining and funny.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I've just ordered the second book which is 'All Things Bright and Beautiful.'

[mona amon]

I love Herriot's books!

Neely, have you read Gerald Durrell? If not you can try them after you've finished Herriot. Just as well written and entertaining, and about animals.

[qimissung]

Herriot's great. You can certainly read them in order, but the first one is really the only one with a narrative arc, which doesn't make the others any less delightful, though.

[The Atheist]

I'll put my $-02 worth in as well - keep reading!

Well worth it, and they don't get any less enjoyable.

[prendrelemick]

Definitely worth it :)

There simply aren't other books in this subject area that touch his style, in my opinion. Either you have stories written by vets that lack Herriot's wonderful narration, or you have cute animal stories that lack the grime only a real vet can understand. There really isn't anything else like them.

Random side note: one of my undergrad professors reminded me of James Herriot. He was from the north of England and farmed sheep when he was younger. One day he said to me "You ought to be a sheep farmer you know. You've got tiny hands that will fit right in there." Referring to a sheep's uterus. If you've read the chapters on lambing season, that will make sense. If not, I'll look like a nut.


Having spent most of April with my hand up one sheep or another, it makes perfect sense.

[kasie]

I think you're a teacher, Neely? In which case, you may enjoy Gervais Phinn's books - I think Over Hill, Over Dale is the first title but they can be read in any order. Phinn was a Primary Schools' Inspector in Yorkshire (pre-Ofsted, the Good Old Days). He writes much in the vein of Herriot and any teacher will recognise the situations he describes. It's not Literature with a capital L but it's entertaining.

I second Mona Amon's suggestion of Gerald Durrell - My Family and Other Animals still makes me weak with laughter.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Having spent most of April with my hand up one sheep or another, it makes perfect sense.

Must have been a rough season, with the weather you've been having!

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think you're a teacher, Neely? In which case, you may enjoy Gervais Phinn's books - I think Over Hill, Over Dale is the first title but they can be read in any order. Phinn was a Primary Schools' Inspector in Yorkshire (pre-Ofsted, the Good Old Days). He writes much in the vein of Herriot and any teacher will recognise the situations he describes. It's not Literature with a capital L but it's entertaining.

I second Mona Amon's suggestion of Gerald Durrell - My Family and Other Animals still makes me weak with laughter.

Thanks. Yes I've come across the name Gervais Phinn I know what you mean, thanks for the suggestion. I'll have a look at Gerald Durrell as well.

[kev67]

Read them all in order. They're all good.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes thanks. Nearly half way though All Things Bright and Beautiful.. just as good as the first, very funny and enjoyable all round, thanks for the recommendations. Currently watching the series still on You Tube very well done, great characters and actors.

[qimissung]

Have you ever read "The Irish R.M."? It's also a favorite of mine, enjoyable and light-hearted. You might like it. It also had a series made of it, although I haven't had the pleasure of seeing it. I think it's on youtube, though (what isn't?), so I'll probably try to watch it at some point.

I think you share the small hands with Herriot, Classic *Charm*. I believe he mentions that having small hands was very helpful to him in getting his hands up inside a sheep or a cow. I like animals, but I don't think I want to get that up close and personal with them. Reading about them is quite enough, thank you. :D

He was also good at wrapping a cat, I believe. :D

[kev67]

Have you ever read "The Irish R.M."? It's also a favorite of mine, enjoyable and light-hearted. You might like it. It also had a series made of it, although I haven't had the pleasure of seeing it. I think it's on youtube, though (what isn't?), so I'll probably try to watch it at some point.

I think you share the small hands with Herriot, Classic *Charm*. I believe he mentions that having small hands was very helpful to him in getting his hands up inside a sheep or a cow. I like animals, but I don't think I want to get that up close and personal with them. Reading about them is quite enough, thank you. :D

He was also good at wrapping a cat, I believe. :D

iirc, he often blessed his lady's hands, but wished he had longer arms :ack2:

I did not know The Irish R.M. was based on someone's memoirs. I thought it was straight fiction. It was quite a good TV series.

[LitNetIsGreat]

No I've never heard about The Irish R.M. I'll have a look.

Yes I'm not really an animal lover and I certainly wouldn't want to be getting as up close and personal with them too. I was even put off reading about it at first, but now I am getting really brave about and can turn the pages without much fear.

[LitNetIsGreat]

After a little break I am back reading James Herriot and also watching the series on You Tube. I'm just reading the third volume and have just ordered the fourth...The Lord God Made Them All..lovely reading and likewise recommended.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I have all but finished all of this series now, just a few pages of the last book left. I left the last book aside for several months but turned to it again. I have also just received the biography. I have started to re-watch the TV series again as well. I got as far as when the wonderful and lovely Carol Drinkwater left the programme as Helen Herriot - I refused to watch it after that, no way could Carol be replaced by that horrid gravy women! The whole series is completely delightful.

[qimissung]

I'm glad you're enjoying both the books and the series, Neely. They are both delightful. He had quite a gift as a writer, I think.

[qimissung]

iirc, he often blessed his lady's hands, but wished he had longer arms :ack2:

I did not know The Irish R.M. was based on someone's memoirs. I thought it was straight fiction. It was quite a good TV series.

The Irish R. M. is indeed straight fiction, Kevin. I don't see why that would mean they are not in a similar vein. They don't focus on animals-although there are animals, I'm thinking of Trinket's colt and the little dog Maria, in particular-but in tone, mood, humor, characterization, setting, they are quite similar.

[kev67]

I have all but finished all of this series now, just a few pages of the last book left. I left the last book aside for several months but turned to it again. I have also just received the biography. I have started to re-watch the TV series again as well. I got as far as when the wonderful and lovely Carol Drinkwater left the programme as Helen Herriot - I refused to watch it after that, no way could Carol be replaced by that horrid gravy women! The whole series is completely delightful.


I don't remember that. I remember in real life Christopher Timothy married Carol Drinkwater. I assume the marriage broke down.

I didn't think much of the series based on Herriot's time at veterinary college in Scotland. It was ok, but nowhere near as good as the series based on his books.

I remember there were seven James Herriot books. Four were about his experiences in the 30s, two during the war and a last one about ten years after the war.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Yes, they had a real life affair Carol and Christopher in which she was blamed for ending his marriage (though it is claimed that wasn't true as it was already broken) and then she got a load of abuse and couldn't carry on recording, but I don't think they married. Apparently the abuse was pretty vile towards her, perhaps a product of the times? I think the TV series was really well done and Peter Davidson and Robert Hardy fitted the bill perfectly.