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All Creatures Great and Small #5
Vets Might Fly
A few months of married bliss, a lovers' nest in Darrowby and the wonders of home cooking are rudely interrupted for James Herriot by the Second World War. James Herriot's fifth volume of memoirs relocates him to a training camp somewhere in England. And in between square pounding and digging for victory, he dreams of the people and livestock he left behind him.
'There are funny cases, sad cases, farm animals and pets, downright farmers, ladies of refinement, hard-bitten NCOs and of course, the immortal Siegfried and Tristan' The "Sunday Times"
'Another winner... as always hilariously funny' The "Sunday Telegraph"
'It is a pleasure to be in James Herriot's company' "Observer"
'There are funny cases, sad cases, farm animals and pets, downright farmers, ladies of refinement, hard-bitten NCOs and of course, the immortal Siegfried and Tristan' The "Sunday Times"
'Another winner... as always hilariously funny' The "Sunday Telegraph"
'It is a pleasure to be in James Herriot's company' "Observer"
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
55 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
James Herriot
268 books3,373 followersJames Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".
Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.
In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.
The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".
Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.
In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.
The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
December 31, 2018
Vets Might Fly is the fifth book in the All Creatures Great And Small series and what a fabulous series it has been.
In this book we follow vet James Harriet as he sets out on his RAF training. James thought he was fairly fit, but after only a few hours of training he changed his mind. As each day passed the training intensified and James had no idea how he would manage to get through to the end. Tired, sore and exhausted the only thing that kept him going was thoughts of home his loved one, Helen, friends and his workplace. He thought working as a vet was tiring, but it was nothing compared to RAF training.
I have thoroughly loved each and every book of this series and look forward to the next book in the series. With many laugh out loud moments, this book was a true delight to read. Highly recommended.
In this book we follow vet James Harriet as he sets out on his RAF training. James thought he was fairly fit, but after only a few hours of training he changed his mind. As each day passed the training intensified and James had no idea how he would manage to get through to the end. Tired, sore and exhausted the only thing that kept him going was thoughts of home his loved one, Helen, friends and his workplace. He thought working as a vet was tiring, but it was nothing compared to RAF training.
I have thoroughly loved each and every book of this series and look forward to the next book in the series. With many laugh out loud moments, this book was a true delight to read. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2021
Another lovely book from this wonderful series. This time it deals with James going into the RAF and the arrival of his son Jimmy. Although I’ve read these books before they still bring a smile to my face.
June 2, 2020
Es una divertida colección de anécdotas - semi-autobiográficas - de un veterinario en los años 30. El personaje principal es muy humano y es fácil empatizar con él. El tono es ligero y es un buen narrador.
Herriot ha escrito varios libros, en éste se centra en la época de la guerra, cuando sirvió como piloto en la RAF. No me ha gustado tanto como otros que ha escrito, ya que, aparte de sus vivencias como veterinario, también incluye memorias de su formación como piloto. Pero en conjunto está muy bien escrito y es un documento interesante sobre la vida - bastante dura - en la época.
Finalmente decir que cuando relata los sufrimiento de los animales en las granjas, lo hace con mucha naturalidad, pero desde la perspectiva actual hay pasajes que impresionan - y hacen reflexionar!
Herriot ha escrito varios libros, en éste se centra en la época de la guerra, cuando sirvió como piloto en la RAF. No me ha gustado tanto como otros que ha escrito, ya que, aparte de sus vivencias como veterinario, también incluye memorias de su formación como piloto. Pero en conjunto está muy bien escrito y es un documento interesante sobre la vida - bastante dura - en la época.
Finalmente decir que cuando relata los sufrimiento de los animales en las granjas, lo hace con mucha naturalidad, pero desde la perspectiva actual hay pasajes que impresionan - y hacen reflexionar!
December 11, 2024
These books will never get old and I will never stop reading them.
Siegfried to Jim:
“James, he said, There is more to be learned up a cow’s arse than in many an encyclopedia.”
“James, I don’t like to speak to you in these terms, but I am bound to tell you that you are talking the most unmitigated balls, bullshit and poppycock.”
Could I possibly find a way to work this last one into my HR conversations this week?? Hmm. Well, probably not.
Poppycock will definitely make an appearance in my conversations this week because I am what I read after all.
Last, Chapter 18 and Georgina the cat stuffed in a box on her way to the vet is some of the finest literary humor out there. Don’t miss that!
Siegfried to Jim:
“James, he said, There is more to be learned up a cow’s arse than in many an encyclopedia.”
“James, I don’t like to speak to you in these terms, but I am bound to tell you that you are talking the most unmitigated balls, bullshit and poppycock.”
Could I possibly find a way to work this last one into my HR conversations this week?? Hmm. Well, probably not.
Poppycock will definitely make an appearance in my conversations this week because I am what I read after all.
Last, Chapter 18 and Georgina the cat stuffed in a box on her way to the vet is some of the finest literary humor out there. Don’t miss that!
October 19, 2023
Another lovely collection of reminisces from our favourite vet! James is now in the RAF and he tells us a bit about it in each chapter but everything he says reminds him of something that happened back in Darrowby in the practice and so the stories go on. There are some funny ones, sad ones and one that gives you a lump in the throat.
I started watching the new series and two of the stories from the book are featured and another to come.
Wonderful reading as usual!!!
I started watching the new series and two of the stories from the book are featured and another to come.
Wonderful reading as usual!!!
May 28, 2024
I don’t write reviews.
And I wasn’t sure how Wright’s stories would change now that he joined the Royal Air Force to fight in WWII. Fortune shined on me, like the sun of the Yorkshire Dales, and presented me with terribly interesting tales of Wright’s time training to be a pilot. These were intermingled with reminiscences of the lovely farms and animals and people of home.
And I wasn’t sure how Wright’s stories would change now that he joined the Royal Air Force to fight in WWII. Fortune shined on me, like the sun of the Yorkshire Dales, and presented me with terribly interesting tales of Wright’s time training to be a pilot. These were intermingled with reminiscences of the lovely farms and animals and people of home.
April 17, 2021
Very light and funny read. Loved it!
July 30, 2020
This was a marvelous little addition to Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small series. I first read the series back in high school, often during English class, after finishing the assigned reading. What always sticks in my mind was the difficulty of containing laughter, so I didn't disturb the rest of the class. Like the others, this book had plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
In this book, James has given up his vet practice to serve King and country. As he reports for RAF training, he prides himself on his fitness thanks to his work as a country vet. It doesn't take him long to realize that his newly married status has made negative inroads on that fitness. The book is filled with vignettes of those days of training, both the painful and the amusing. His vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was there, from the long marches to the potato-peeling to the seriousness of the task at hand. Two of the RAF scenes stick with me - one where they've been training for a visit from a senior officer, and the other where he helps a local farmer with his harvest. The overwhelming emotion of the RAF scenes is that of missing the people and animals at home.
Most of the RAF episodes described in the book bring flashbacks to things that occurred as a vet. Herriot has a talent for bringing both people and animals to life. I loved the glimpses into country life in 1930s Yorkshire and his commentary on the changes he witnessed. I especially enjoyed the times when he poked fun at himself after learning a hard-won lesson in humility. I also liked his obvious love for the animals he treated and all of their quirks. The dog who used to lie in wait for passersby walking on the other side of the fence made me laugh out loud. There were some heartbreaking occasions when there was nothing that could be done, and others that made me cry at a happy outcome. Herriot's amazing depictions of people made it easy to envision them, from Tristan's attempts at cooking to the various farmers and their personalities.
In this book, James has given up his vet practice to serve King and country. As he reports for RAF training, he prides himself on his fitness thanks to his work as a country vet. It doesn't take him long to realize that his newly married status has made negative inroads on that fitness. The book is filled with vignettes of those days of training, both the painful and the amusing. His vivid descriptions made me feel as if I was there, from the long marches to the potato-peeling to the seriousness of the task at hand. Two of the RAF scenes stick with me - one where they've been training for a visit from a senior officer, and the other where he helps a local farmer with his harvest. The overwhelming emotion of the RAF scenes is that of missing the people and animals at home.
Most of the RAF episodes described in the book bring flashbacks to things that occurred as a vet. Herriot has a talent for bringing both people and animals to life. I loved the glimpses into country life in 1930s Yorkshire and his commentary on the changes he witnessed. I especially enjoyed the times when he poked fun at himself after learning a hard-won lesson in humility. I also liked his obvious love for the animals he treated and all of their quirks. The dog who used to lie in wait for passersby walking on the other side of the fence made me laugh out loud. There were some heartbreaking occasions when there was nothing that could be done, and others that made me cry at a happy outcome. Herriot's amazing depictions of people made it easy to envision them, from Tristan's attempts at cooking to the various farmers and their personalities.
October 27, 2020
FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE!!! James Herriot has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid. His animal stories (really, his animal-owner stories), are absolutely hysterical. They're also poignant, human, real . . . Herriot is a masterful storyteller, bringing every character to life, and gently teaching life lessons along the way. You absolutely will not believe what he runs into working his everyday country vet practice from about 100 years ago. This particular book was a serendipitous discovery in a local Little Free Library (the gifts that keep on giving!). I didn't know he had written a series of books about his experiences in the RAF during WWII. Delightful!
March 18, 2011
239 pages. I love this book. It is not my favorite in the series though because there is a lot of focus on James' military career. He does talk about other funny vet stories in his book though. I think that these books are wonderfully written and a great read for everyone. We should consider putting it in the english curriculum.
November 17, 2012
Funny and heartwarming stories about a rural vet that nothing I could say here would give you the remotest flavour of how wonderful and real these stories are so ignore everything I say and just go out an buy them and fall in love. Having said that, I wonder if I like them because I'm from the same part of the world and can identify with the characters and their exploits? Oh, the horror!
March 16, 2024
Mulle on see täiuslik raamat. Isegi selle loengus lugemine on natuke õigustatud, sest see on erialane. Ju. Aga mis mind imestama paneb, on see, et seda loevad tuhanded inimesed üle kogu maailma, st veterinaaria on ikka palju atraktiivsem kui ma arvasin ja inimesi ei häirigi lehma päraku kallal askeldamine ning naharibade küljes rippuvad vigastatud jalad nii palju kui võiks arvata. See meeldib mulle väga see avastus. See on väga hästi kirjutatud raamat. Mulle meeldib Herriot.
December 12, 2025
4 stars
Vets Might Fly is the fifth wonderful book in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
Classic works of a wonderful man and his journey.
Vets Might Fly is the fifth wonderful book in the All Creatures Great and Small series by the talented James Herriot.
This takes me back, remembering times when we read these books and watched the TV series with family.
This is James Herriot's biographical work of his life as a vet in the 1940s in Yorkshire. It is fun to see what he went through with not only the animals but also with his clients. I loved the laugh-out-loud moments that are infused in the narrative.
Classic works of a wonderful man and his journey.
February 17, 2018
Only three books to left in my box set, alas!
March 25, 2022
Ta niepozorna książka to arcydzieło. No dobrze, może bez przesady. Ale jest to tak bardzo moja historia, tak bardzo trafia w moją wrażliwość.
Książki Herriota są przepełnione ogromnym szacunek do zwierząt, innych ludzi oraz pracy i wdzięcznością za wszystko, za piękno świata, za to, że zwierzęta zdrowieją i za to że ma się wokół siebie bliskich. W tym tomie pojawia się również nuta tęsknoty.
Odczuwam to jakoś inaczej niż wcześniej. Przy mojej podstawowej chociaż wiedzy weterynaryjnej rozumiem, o czym on pisze. I to jest piękne. I niezmiennie przypomina mi się cytat z poprzedniej części - że to szczęście nie tylko kochać zwierzęta, ale także mieć wiedzę o nich.
I w tym momencie uwielbiam tę serię jak chyba jeszcze nigdy wcześniej. Choć pewnie dla większości ludzi nie będzie ona niczym szczególnym.
Książki Herriota są przepełnione ogromnym szacunek do zwierząt, innych ludzi oraz pracy i wdzięcznością za wszystko, za piękno świata, za to, że zwierzęta zdrowieją i za to że ma się wokół siebie bliskich. W tym tomie pojawia się również nuta tęsknoty.
Odczuwam to jakoś inaczej niż wcześniej. Przy mojej podstawowej chociaż wiedzy weterynaryjnej rozumiem, o czym on pisze. I to jest piękne. I niezmiennie przypomina mi się cytat z poprzedniej części - że to szczęście nie tylko kochać zwierzęta, ale także mieć wiedzę o nich.
I w tym momencie uwielbiam tę serię jak chyba jeszcze nigdy wcześniej. Choć pewnie dla większości ludzi nie będzie ona niczym szczególnym.
December 4, 2017
I've been reading a few Herriot books lately, and this one is more of the same. Very entertaining, light reading, this time covering the period when Herriot was training with the RAF, a period which included the birth of his first child. Great stuff.
December 10, 2020
I got to pick my book clubs theme this time round, and I picked the theme of a dream job. So I picked this book.
The first james herriot book I've read, and it was thoroughly enjoyed. I loved reading the trials of being a countryside vet. Some of his anecdotes had me laughing out loud, whilst others made me feel sad. Through it all you feel like you've come to know a new friend. A great book which is well written, and what a life he had
The first james herriot book I've read, and it was thoroughly enjoyed. I loved reading the trials of being a countryside vet. Some of his anecdotes had me laughing out loud, whilst others made me feel sad. Through it all you feel like you've come to know a new friend. A great book which is well written, and what a life he had
August 28, 2021
"James Herriot makes Jerry Seinfeld sound like a bore" --Jerry Seinfeld
December 19, 2022
more of the war intruding - finds refuge in memories or rural vet
September 18, 2024
Such a delightful collection of characters, whether they be animal or human.
March 10, 2025
Love James Herriot books! Want to read them all. This is a great book. He has a humorous way of describing situations and people.
January 22, 2024
This is the first part of the book that was published in the US as All Things Wise and Wonderful. In this part, James is off to join the RAF and fight in WWII as his wife is about to have their first baby.
There's a little bit of the RAF life in this book, but mostly it's flashbacks to stories of Darrowby. James sees or hears something that reminds him of a person or incident in his veterinary practice, and he tells that story.
I enjoyed the parts about the RAF training and the things he went through there and would have loved more of that. However, I think it was probably smart to keep to the animals for the majority of the stories in the book. Most readers probably preferred those.
There's a little bit of the RAF life in this book, but mostly it's flashbacks to stories of Darrowby. James sees or hears something that reminds him of a person or incident in his veterinary practice, and he tells that story.
I enjoyed the parts about the RAF training and the things he went through there and would have loved more of that. However, I think it was probably smart to keep to the animals for the majority of the stories in the book. Most readers probably preferred those.
November 24, 2017
Hice bien en hacer una pausa luego de engullirme los primeros tomos, porque DIOS CÓMO LO DISFRUTÉ. Otra vez llegué a reírme en voz alta, carcajadas reales que llegaron a asustarme a mí misma en medio de la noche, jajaja.
Es genial, absolutamente genial.
SIN EMBARGO, no es el mejor que he leído. De hecho, es el menos mejor de los tomos, por así decirlo. El tema de la guerra no calienta a nadie, incluyendo al autor, porque apenas lo toca, y así las anécdotas son casi todas prestadas de otros tiempos, y algunas se hacen repetidas. Además, se nota que hay cierta carga de expectativas, porque la escritura es menos espontánea, y a veces hay más explicaciones que mera narración de hechos, como si Herriot estuviera pensando en cómo hacer el punch line.
¡Aún así es de los buenos libros que he leído! Qué felicidad que aún me quedan un par. Quizá los guarde para períodos de escasez e infelicidad.
Cita que subrayé, de cuando a Herriot le nace el primer retoño:
"
Eché la primera ojeada a mi hijo. El pequeño Jimmy estaba tan colorado como un ladrillo, y los rasgos hinchados, con aspecto disipado. Cuando me inclinaba sobre él, apretó los puñitos bajo la barbilla y se entregó por lo visto a una pelea con sus tripas.
El rostro aún se le congestionó más al contraer sus rasgos, y luego, de lo más profundo de aquellas mejillas hinchadas, sus ojos me lanzaron una mirada malévola y sacó un poquito la lengua por la comisura de los labios.
- ¡Dios mío! - exclamé. La enfermera me miró sobresaltada.
- ¿Qué ocurre?
- Bueno, esto tiene un aspecto algo extraño, ¿no?
- ¿Cómo? - sus ojos me miraban furiosos -. ¡Señor Herriot! ¿Cómo puede decir semejante cosa? ¡Es un niño precioso!
De nuevo miré fijamente la cunita. Jimmy me saludó con una sonrisita burlona, se puso de color púrpura y soltó unas burbujitas.
- ¿Está segura de que esto es normal?, pregunté. Helen soltó una risita un poco cansada, pero la enfermera Brown no estaba divertida.
- ¿Normal? ¿Qué pretende decir exactamente? -. Se erguía muy rígida. Me froté los pies nerviosamente.
- Bueno, que... que si le pasa algo raro. Creí que iba a pegarme.
- ¿Algo...? ¿Cómo se atreve? ¿De qué está hablando? Jamás he oído semejantes tonterías. Se volvió al lecho en busca de ayuda, pero Helen, con una sonrisa de agotamiento en el rostro, había cerrado los ojos.
Me llevé a un lado a aquella mujer enfurecida.
- Mire, enfermera, ¿no tendrá otro por casualidad en la casa?
- ¿Otro qué?, preguntó heladamente.
- Bebés, bebés recién nacidos. Quiero comparar a Jimmy con algún otro. Abrió los ojos de par en par.
- ¿Compararle con..? ¡Señor Herriot, me niego a seguir escuchándole...! Ya he perdido la paciencia con usted.
- Insisto, enfermera - repetí -, ¿tiene alguno más por ahí?
Hubo una larga pausa mientras me miraba como si yo fuera un monstruo extraño e increíble.
- Bien, la señora Dewburn está en la habitación inmediata. El pequeño Sidney nació poco más o menos a la vez que Jimmy.
- ¿Puedo echarle una ojeada? - le miraba suplicante. Vaciló, luego una sonrisa de lástima le cubrió el rostro.
- ¡Oh, usted... usted...! Bueno, espere un minuto.
Entró en la otra habitación y oí un murmullo de voces. Reapareció y me hizo señas. La señora Dewburn era la esposa del carnicero, y yo la conocía bien. El rostro sobre la almohada estaba tan acalorado y agitado como el de Helen.
- ¡Vaya, señor Herriot, no esperaba verle! Creía que estaba en el ejército (...).
Miré en la cunita. Sidney estaba muy colorado e hinchado y, al parecer, también sostenía una lucha con su interior. Se revelaba esa pelea en una serie de contorsiones faciales muy grotescas que culminaron en una sonrisa burlona de una boca sin dientes. Me eché atrás involuntariamente.
- ¡Qué niño más hermoso! - exclamé.
- Sí, ¿no es un encanto? -, dijo su madre, cariñosamente.
- Espléndido en verdad -. Eché otra mirada de incredulidad en la cunita. (...) ¡Qué alivio tan tremendo! El bebé de la señora Dewburn parecía todavía más extraño que mi hijo.
Cuando volví a la habitación de Helen, la enfermera Brown estaba sentada en la cama y ambas se reían indudablemente de mí. Por supuesto, ahora que pienso en ello, debí parecerles un idiota. Sidney Dweburn y mi hijo son dos jóvenes grandes, fuertes y notablemente bien parecidos, así que mis temores carecían de fundamento. La pequeña enfermera me miró con suspicacia. Yo creo que me había perdonado.
- Supongo que usted piensa que todos su terneros y potros son hermosos desde el momento en que nacen - dijo.
- Pues sí - contesté - tengo que admitirlo, creo que lo son."
Es genial, absolutamente genial.
SIN EMBARGO, no es el mejor que he leído. De hecho, es el menos mejor de los tomos, por así decirlo. El tema de la guerra no calienta a nadie, incluyendo al autor, porque apenas lo toca, y así las anécdotas son casi todas prestadas de otros tiempos, y algunas se hacen repetidas. Además, se nota que hay cierta carga de expectativas, porque la escritura es menos espontánea, y a veces hay más explicaciones que mera narración de hechos, como si Herriot estuviera pensando en cómo hacer el punch line.
¡Aún así es de los buenos libros que he leído! Qué felicidad que aún me quedan un par. Quizá los guarde para períodos de escasez e infelicidad.
Cita que subrayé, de cuando a Herriot le nace el primer retoño:
"
Eché la primera ojeada a mi hijo. El pequeño Jimmy estaba tan colorado como un ladrillo, y los rasgos hinchados, con aspecto disipado. Cuando me inclinaba sobre él, apretó los puñitos bajo la barbilla y se entregó por lo visto a una pelea con sus tripas.
El rostro aún se le congestionó más al contraer sus rasgos, y luego, de lo más profundo de aquellas mejillas hinchadas, sus ojos me lanzaron una mirada malévola y sacó un poquito la lengua por la comisura de los labios.
- ¡Dios mío! - exclamé. La enfermera me miró sobresaltada.
- ¿Qué ocurre?
- Bueno, esto tiene un aspecto algo extraño, ¿no?
- ¿Cómo? - sus ojos me miraban furiosos -. ¡Señor Herriot! ¿Cómo puede decir semejante cosa? ¡Es un niño precioso!
De nuevo miré fijamente la cunita. Jimmy me saludó con una sonrisita burlona, se puso de color púrpura y soltó unas burbujitas.
- ¿Está segura de que esto es normal?, pregunté. Helen soltó una risita un poco cansada, pero la enfermera Brown no estaba divertida.
- ¿Normal? ¿Qué pretende decir exactamente? -. Se erguía muy rígida. Me froté los pies nerviosamente.
- Bueno, que... que si le pasa algo raro. Creí que iba a pegarme.
- ¿Algo...? ¿Cómo se atreve? ¿De qué está hablando? Jamás he oído semejantes tonterías. Se volvió al lecho en busca de ayuda, pero Helen, con una sonrisa de agotamiento en el rostro, había cerrado los ojos.
Me llevé a un lado a aquella mujer enfurecida.
- Mire, enfermera, ¿no tendrá otro por casualidad en la casa?
- ¿Otro qué?, preguntó heladamente.
- Bebés, bebés recién nacidos. Quiero comparar a Jimmy con algún otro. Abrió los ojos de par en par.
- ¿Compararle con..? ¡Señor Herriot, me niego a seguir escuchándole...! Ya he perdido la paciencia con usted.
- Insisto, enfermera - repetí -, ¿tiene alguno más por ahí?
Hubo una larga pausa mientras me miraba como si yo fuera un monstruo extraño e increíble.
- Bien, la señora Dewburn está en la habitación inmediata. El pequeño Sidney nació poco más o menos a la vez que Jimmy.
- ¿Puedo echarle una ojeada? - le miraba suplicante. Vaciló, luego una sonrisa de lástima le cubrió el rostro.
- ¡Oh, usted... usted...! Bueno, espere un minuto.
Entró en la otra habitación y oí un murmullo de voces. Reapareció y me hizo señas. La señora Dewburn era la esposa del carnicero, y yo la conocía bien. El rostro sobre la almohada estaba tan acalorado y agitado como el de Helen.
- ¡Vaya, señor Herriot, no esperaba verle! Creía que estaba en el ejército (...).
Miré en la cunita. Sidney estaba muy colorado e hinchado y, al parecer, también sostenía una lucha con su interior. Se revelaba esa pelea en una serie de contorsiones faciales muy grotescas que culminaron en una sonrisa burlona de una boca sin dientes. Me eché atrás involuntariamente.
- ¡Qué niño más hermoso! - exclamé.
- Sí, ¿no es un encanto? -, dijo su madre, cariñosamente.
- Espléndido en verdad -. Eché otra mirada de incredulidad en la cunita. (...) ¡Qué alivio tan tremendo! El bebé de la señora Dewburn parecía todavía más extraño que mi hijo.
Cuando volví a la habitación de Helen, la enfermera Brown estaba sentada en la cama y ambas se reían indudablemente de mí. Por supuesto, ahora que pienso en ello, debí parecerles un idiota. Sidney Dweburn y mi hijo son dos jóvenes grandes, fuertes y notablemente bien parecidos, así que mis temores carecían de fundamento. La pequeña enfermera me miró con suspicacia. Yo creo que me había perdonado.
- Supongo que usted piensa que todos su terneros y potros son hermosos desde el momento en que nacen - dijo.
- Pues sí - contesté - tengo que admitirlo, creo que lo son."
February 15, 2023
James Herriot never fails to bring a smile to my face.
April 2, 2021
Total bliss.
Reading Herriot’s bucolic animal tales is like receiving a loving embrace from a dear friend (with the faint scent of cow dung nearby).
Reading Herriot’s bucolic animal tales is like receiving a loving embrace from a dear friend (with the faint scent of cow dung nearby).
February 17, 2018
I finished this, last week, on Valentine's Day. About ten days before that, I had been diagnosed with cancer and the shock was so great that it stopped me from reading anything longer than a label on a bottle. Reading is my favourite thing to do and things were scary enough without finding myself unable to sit in my reading chair and escape the world.
I started two other books - literary memoirs - the sort of thing I usually love to read but they were too involved for me. A hospital appointment loomed and I picked up the book I was stuck on and, then, as an afterthought, shoved this book into my bag, thus breaking one of my cardinal rules - to start another book while I'm still grappling with one. Anyway, it was the right thing to do. At the hospital, I ignored the book I was barely thirty pages in to and took out 'Vets Might Fly'. James Herriot got me reading again and I will always, always be truly grateful to him for that.
I started two other books - literary memoirs - the sort of thing I usually love to read but they were too involved for me. A hospital appointment loomed and I picked up the book I was stuck on and, then, as an afterthought, shoved this book into my bag, thus breaking one of my cardinal rules - to start another book while I'm still grappling with one. Anyway, it was the right thing to do. At the hospital, I ignored the book I was barely thirty pages in to and took out 'Vets Might Fly'. James Herriot got me reading again and I will always, always be truly grateful to him for that.
January 14, 2018
James Herriot's books are semi-autobiographical accounts of life as a country veterinarian in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. They consist of fairly short chapters, most of which are focused on a case of particular interest. Some of the ongoing themes are his documentation of rural life in Yorkshire during a time of social upheaval, the changing veterinary profession as new technologies arose, and his own lifelong love affair with the Yorkshire Dales. He writes with a lot of love and respect for his home and the people and animals that populate it and his descriptions of the Dales are incredibly beautiful. This volume also covers the start of his service in the RAF during World War II -- though veterinary tales still make up the bulk of the book.
I remember these books are being really wonderful to read, and they still are. Herriot has a lovely, funny writing style and he's not above poking gentle fun at his clients, himself, his colleagues, and of course the animals. He writes about animals in a clear-eyed but loving way and it makes each anecdote a joy to read. The books are also extremely interesting as a time capsule into a whole other era and world. I enjoyed the accounts of the veterinary life, but I also enjoyed the reflections on how time has changed the profession and the country he grew up in. I didn't realize these books weren't completely autobiographical until not long ago. The great amount of heart and detail in them speaks to the real James Herriot's affection for his life and vocation.
My editions of these books are venerable old editions that I acquired, probably literally half a lifetime ago, at a yard sale. I'm sure they'd be worth something to a collector somewhere if it weren't for the fact that they're very old paperbacks that are literally falling apart. I remember loving them dearly, enough to haul these aging books through multiple moves, but on this latest reread the joy had faded a little. Probably because I loved them so much that I've already memorized my favorite parts! But they are wonderful comfort reads, fascinating accounts of a very different and specific life. One day I would like to read the rest of Herriot's books and upgrade my copies to a new, hardier edition, for permanent inclusion in my library.
I remember these books are being really wonderful to read, and they still are. Herriot has a lovely, funny writing style and he's not above poking gentle fun at his clients, himself, his colleagues, and of course the animals. He writes about animals in a clear-eyed but loving way and it makes each anecdote a joy to read. The books are also extremely interesting as a time capsule into a whole other era and world. I enjoyed the accounts of the veterinary life, but I also enjoyed the reflections on how time has changed the profession and the country he grew up in. I didn't realize these books weren't completely autobiographical until not long ago. The great amount of heart and detail in them speaks to the real James Herriot's affection for his life and vocation.
My editions of these books are venerable old editions that I acquired, probably literally half a lifetime ago, at a yard sale. I'm sure they'd be worth something to a collector somewhere if it weren't for the fact that they're very old paperbacks that are literally falling apart. I remember loving them dearly, enough to haul these aging books through multiple moves, but on this latest reread the joy had faded a little. Probably because I loved them so much that I've already memorized my favorite parts! But they are wonderful comfort reads, fascinating accounts of a very different and specific life. One day I would like to read the rest of Herriot's books and upgrade my copies to a new, hardier edition, for permanent inclusion in my library.
October 18, 2021
I was wondering what this fifth volume of James Herriot's (fictionalised) memoirs would be like, given that the last had him leaving his wife and practice to join the RAF during WW2. As it turns out, although we do get a little bit of life as a trainee airman, he mostly uses incidents in the military as jumping off points to talk about other events in his veterinary career (although I did enjoy his playing truant in order to go and see his pregnant wife, and how he played the corporal who spotted him). Mostly, these books are gentle and very easy to read, and this is no exception. Apart from the chapter where someone in the town is poisoning dogs with strychnine, and six out of the seven creatures that Herriot treats die. I was not prepared for that!
Apart from that, we have mostly enjoyable anecdotes of veterinary life in the 1930s. It was hard, and a way of life that has pretty much entirely died out with the changes that have come in the latter half of the 20th and now the 21st centuries, and this provides a fascinating snapshot into a period of history, and a way of life that I mostly don't know much about.
I've come to really like the other characters that Herriot deals with regularly - his partner Siegfried and the perpetual student Tristan, but my favourite character has to be Grenville Bennett, the expert in dogs and general bon vivant, in whose company Jim invariably ends up completely plastered, and showing himself up. It's utterly cringeworthy (and normally I hate that) but so much fun, just to see how the utterly oblivious Grenville (who is really most jovial and friendly, and doesn't have a mean bone in his body) spoils Jim's day this time.
Speaking of drinking, the one thing that always jars in these books, and brings home just how much societal attitudes have changed, is the way that many characters, Herriot included, go the pub, have a few drinks and then just hop in their car and drive off. From a modern perspective, this his horrifying, but it was completely normal at the time.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy this series. It's not something I would have picked up for myself, but I'm glad that my friend bought them for me. I look forward to reading more of Jim's veterinary and air force adventures soon.
Apart from that, we have mostly enjoyable anecdotes of veterinary life in the 1930s. It was hard, and a way of life that has pretty much entirely died out with the changes that have come in the latter half of the 20th and now the 21st centuries, and this provides a fascinating snapshot into a period of history, and a way of life that I mostly don't know much about.
I've come to really like the other characters that Herriot deals with regularly - his partner Siegfried and the perpetual student Tristan, but my favourite character has to be Grenville Bennett, the expert in dogs and general bon vivant, in whose company Jim invariably ends up completely plastered, and showing himself up. It's utterly cringeworthy (and normally I hate that) but so much fun, just to see how the utterly oblivious Grenville (who is really most jovial and friendly, and doesn't have a mean bone in his body) spoils Jim's day this time.
Speaking of drinking, the one thing that always jars in these books, and brings home just how much societal attitudes have changed, is the way that many characters, Herriot included, go the pub, have a few drinks and then just hop in their car and drive off. From a modern perspective, this his horrifying, but it was completely normal at the time.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy this series. It's not something I would have picked up for myself, but I'm glad that my friend bought them for me. I look forward to reading more of Jim's veterinary and air force adventures soon.
February 22, 2024
In the previous book, the writer mentions that they will not go into details of what they did during their time at the RAF, choosing to stay writing about his time as a Vet, for various reasons, which I respect. So this volume is mainly about his time training in the RAF. Except it is not really for the most part, for it's more of a framing device as one thing or another reminds the author of his time as a vet. And it could be the slightest thing, the chapter only two lines in sometimes before it diverts.
This does not fully hamper the experience, as all stories involved are usually interesting, and range from a delight to sometimes tragic (indeed I think this is the darkest one by far, with the tragic truth of a prankster early on and a case of poisoning later)
It's just a bit less focused. And the formula of how it is written continues to be very repetitive, with just about every story ending in a punchline or some sort of moral. Having time at the RAF does breathe new life into the tales, even though the life in itself is repetitive as well.
That being said, I laughed quite a few times and was moved and invested mostly. This volume does not particularly stand out apart from its framing device of the war and it being a bit darker. Still, the quality of the series continues to be fairly consistent in a positive way.
I guess if you've stuck with the series this far as I have you know pretty much what you are going to get. Apart from all the darkness that can happen in life, it's mostly a comfort read.
As well as being funny and moving, although pigs might fly before I find real variety in this series. But I guess that's not the point.
This does not fully hamper the experience, as all stories involved are usually interesting, and range from a delight to sometimes tragic (indeed I think this is the darkest one by far, with the tragic truth of a prankster early on and a case of poisoning later)
It's just a bit less focused. And the formula of how it is written continues to be very repetitive, with just about every story ending in a punchline or some sort of moral. Having time at the RAF does breathe new life into the tales, even though the life in itself is repetitive as well.
That being said, I laughed quite a few times and was moved and invested mostly. This volume does not particularly stand out apart from its framing device of the war and it being a bit darker. Still, the quality of the series continues to be fairly consistent in a positive way.
I guess if you've stuck with the series this far as I have you know pretty much what you are going to get. Apart from all the darkness that can happen in life, it's mostly a comfort read.
As well as being funny and moving, although pigs might fly before I find real variety in this series. But I guess that's not the point.
June 3, 2017
This is the second of two James Herriot books that I picked up for next to nothing in a second-hand bookshop. I’d dabbled with a bit of Herriot as a young teen, sneaking away my mum’s Readers Digest books (her Mills & Boons, too). As a kid, it was great reading. Rereading them now, properly, it really settles into you how great these books are.
Now this is only the second Herriot book that I’ve read. Plus it’s actually not book two, but book five (downside of randomly picking up books second hand). However, the order doesn’t really matter so much. Yes, his life is quite a bit further along the line, but where he actually is and what he’s actually doing just provides the backdrop for another series of anecdotes, this time mostly nostalgia as he’s missing his Yorkshire home, his new wife, his new baby, and all of his many customers – the local farmers and his patients, their livestock. It’s amazing how many tales can be found in such a setting. You might think that, after the first book, his list of anecdotes is exhausted, but far from it! There’s plenty to make you both laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time, whilst pondering the impossible and contemplating how much times have changed, even since the books were written.
These books are definitely a must for any animal lover and are so incredibly accessible for near enough everyone!
Final rating: ★★★★★ – Loved it/couldn't put it down
Now this is only the second Herriot book that I’ve read. Plus it’s actually not book two, but book five (downside of randomly picking up books second hand). However, the order doesn’t really matter so much. Yes, his life is quite a bit further along the line, but where he actually is and what he’s actually doing just provides the backdrop for another series of anecdotes, this time mostly nostalgia as he’s missing his Yorkshire home, his new wife, his new baby, and all of his many customers – the local farmers and his patients, their livestock. It’s amazing how many tales can be found in such a setting. You might think that, after the first book, his list of anecdotes is exhausted, but far from it! There’s plenty to make you both laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time, whilst pondering the impossible and contemplating how much times have changed, even since the books were written.
These books are definitely a must for any animal lover and are so incredibly accessible for near enough everyone!
Final rating: ★★★★★ – Loved it/couldn't put it down
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