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All Creatures Great and Small #8
Every Living Thing
Celebrate the return of the most beloved storyteller of our time! The waiting is finally over. For the first time in over a decade, the world's favorite veterinarian, James Herriot, returns us in a twinkle to the rural green enclave of England called Yorkshire for more irresistible tales of animals and people. At long last, another treat from Herriot! In stories of wonders great and small, James reintroduces many old friends like Mrs. Pumphrey, his partner Siegfried Farnon, and of course, his wife Helen. But there are wonderful new faces too, especially his children Rosie and Jimmy, and his latest assistant, Calum Buchanan. Herriot works his magic again! Offering readers an even more intimate view of the life and dreams of a country vet than any of his previous volumes, James Herriot's Every Living Thing is a book that will warm your heart, make you laugh out loud, and feel so good you'll never want it to end. Herriot really does love Every Living Thing ...and so will you!
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 15, 1992
1837 people are currently reading
7081 people want to read
About the author
James Herriot
269 books3,403 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 980 reviews
February 5, 2016
What a joy to discover I had one more unread book to read by legendary vet and author James Herriot! I thought I'd read this one back when I was downing these books like they were water, but I guess I missed it. Many of the stories are familiar, but I realized that's probably because they were used in the tv series, all the episodes of which I've seen a couple times over.
Every Living Thing has all the wonderful goodness of the first four books in the series. Plenty of veterinarian triumphs and failures with that human-to-animal and vice versa connection ever present in Herriot's work. The remote English windswept countryside comes to living-breathing life as a backdrop to the well-described trials and tribulations of the vet, the farmers he served and the cows, horses, dogs, cats, sheep, etc etc etc that so enveloped their lives.
Once I realized I hadn't read this one before I really started to get into it. After all, this is probably the last Herriot book I'd ever read. I've loved them so very much that I wanted to learn more about his world. I went online and found the town of Thirsk, UK, which I'd once driven through in search of the veterinarian practice where he worked. I didn't find it then, back in ye olden pre-smart phone days, but I found it now on Google Street View, which even allows you to step inside the house and have a look around! I also read a Wiki page to two about Herriot and his books, and came to find out that many of the characters I suspected were completely fictional were actually real! Of course the names have been changed, but I was surprised that they were actual people, because the way Herriot portrayed them, they seemed too ridiculous to be true. I'm thinking mainly of "Mrs. Pomphrey". I learned the sad news that back when I originally read these most of the people, including the writer himself, were dying of old age, ailments and accidents. Bummer.
But always, Herriot balanced the happy with the sad, and Every Living Thing strikes that balance perfectly. It's a great finish to a great series!
Every Living Thing has all the wonderful goodness of the first four books in the series. Plenty of veterinarian triumphs and failures with that human-to-animal and vice versa connection ever present in Herriot's work. The remote English windswept countryside comes to living-breathing life as a backdrop to the well-described trials and tribulations of the vet, the farmers he served and the cows, horses, dogs, cats, sheep, etc etc etc that so enveloped their lives.
Once I realized I hadn't read this one before I really started to get into it. After all, this is probably the last Herriot book I'd ever read. I've loved them so very much that I wanted to learn more about his world. I went online and found the town of Thirsk, UK, which I'd once driven through in search of the veterinarian practice where he worked. I didn't find it then, back in ye olden pre-smart phone days, but I found it now on Google Street View, which even allows you to step inside the house and have a look around! I also read a Wiki page to two about Herriot and his books, and came to find out that many of the characters I suspected were completely fictional were actually real! Of course the names have been changed, but I was surprised that they were actual people, because the way Herriot portrayed them, they seemed too ridiculous to be true. I'm thinking mainly of "Mrs. Pomphrey". I learned the sad news that back when I originally read these most of the people, including the writer himself, were dying of old age, ailments and accidents. Bummer.
But always, Herriot balanced the happy with the sad, and Every Living Thing strikes that balance perfectly. It's a great finish to a great series!
May 19, 2023
Everything James Herriot wrote is pure gold and this book is no exception. If you've read any of his previous works, you know what you'll find inside - lots of heartwarming (and often humorous) short stories about his work as a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales. Every Living Thing is the final book in his All Creatures Great and Small series, and while I think I enjoyed the earlier books ever so slightly more (his young and inexperienced days are simply the best), these stories set during his more established years are also cozy and delightful reads. James Herriot has been one of my favorite authors since I was a kid, and I highly recommend this book (or any of his other works) to any animal lovers out there.
January 4, 2021
The final instalment of James Herriot's (Alfred Wight's) All Creatures Great and Small series, Every Living Thing is indeed a grand farewell for and to the author's veterinarian memoirs, not only revisiting the familiar (James Herriot's dealings with his partner Siegfried Farnon, the latter's absentmindedness and sometimes mercurial temperament, the many animal cases seen and treated, with often positive but also at times negative and sad outcomes, and with familiar characters like eccentric but sweet Mrs. Pumphrey/Tricki Woo and archvillains, however also somewhat darkly humorous Mr. Sidlow and family making an appearance) but also introducing novel characters and scenarios (such as the escapades of John Crooks and especially the antics of Calum Buchanan, the aptly named vet-with-the badger).
And while there has always been ample humour, and even some satire included in the All Creatures Great and Small series as a whole, for me personally, my two favourite laugh-out-loud episodes of the series in its entirety do indeed and in fact occur in Every Living Thing, namely Wolfie the vicious dog's misleading tailwagging fooling and apprehending the callous thieves who have been preying on Darrowby seniors and Bernard Wain, as the eponymous and totally harmless Cisco Kid, getting apprehended by the local police after he forgets to remove the bandana like mask he always dons to guard against offensive barnyard odours (and then goes out for fish and chips clad like this, of course arousing a bit of official suspicion, so much so that James Herriot must vouch for poor Bernard, explaining to the police officer that Bernard is unable to stomach bad farmyard smells and was so traumatised by James Herriot having to "cleanse" a cow that he simply forgot he was wearing a mask before going out for his one main joy, fish and chips).
Now interstingly enough, when I first read Every Living Thing in 1992 (a hardcover edition I had purchased soon after publication), and by then having become well aware of the fact that James Herriot's real name was Alfred Wight and that his memoirs often did stretch the truth and were thus at best only semi-autobiographical, I immediately but it turns out in total error assumed that especially the character of Calum Buchanan and his menagerie of diverse animals was most probably and likely massively exaggerated. However, when I perused Jim Wight's brilliant and poignant biography of his father, The Real James Herriot a few years ago, it is indeed presented that almost ALL of Calum Buchanan's (Brian Nettleton in real life) eccentricities, including him always appearing with a badger on his shoulder, even on veterinarian calls, are absolute and bona fide reality (with the only but main difference being that Every Living Thing does not mention that Brian Nettleton tragically died in a car accident in Nova Scotia in 1990).
Laughter and tears, joy and heartbreak, entertainment and thought-provoking authorial musings on life, on animals, on humanity in general, Every Living Thing is a lovely, but also somewhat saddening and sobering conclusion to the All Creatures Great and Small series, saddenining in particular because we all know that Alfred Wight died of prostate cancer in 1995 and that Every Living Thing thus truly represents the author's swan song so to speak, and that there will obviously and unfortunately not be any further James Herriot memoirs.
And while there has always been ample humour, and even some satire included in the All Creatures Great and Small series as a whole, for me personally, my two favourite laugh-out-loud episodes of the series in its entirety do indeed and in fact occur in Every Living Thing, namely Wolfie the vicious dog's misleading tailwagging fooling and apprehending the callous thieves who have been preying on Darrowby seniors and Bernard Wain, as the eponymous and totally harmless Cisco Kid, getting apprehended by the local police after he forgets to remove the bandana like mask he always dons to guard against offensive barnyard odours (and then goes out for fish and chips clad like this, of course arousing a bit of official suspicion, so much so that James Herriot must vouch for poor Bernard, explaining to the police officer that Bernard is unable to stomach bad farmyard smells and was so traumatised by James Herriot having to "cleanse" a cow that he simply forgot he was wearing a mask before going out for his one main joy, fish and chips).
Now interstingly enough, when I first read Every Living Thing in 1992 (a hardcover edition I had purchased soon after publication), and by then having become well aware of the fact that James Herriot's real name was Alfred Wight and that his memoirs often did stretch the truth and were thus at best only semi-autobiographical, I immediately but it turns out in total error assumed that especially the character of Calum Buchanan and his menagerie of diverse animals was most probably and likely massively exaggerated. However, when I perused Jim Wight's brilliant and poignant biography of his father, The Real James Herriot a few years ago, it is indeed presented that almost ALL of Calum Buchanan's (Brian Nettleton in real life) eccentricities, including him always appearing with a badger on his shoulder, even on veterinarian calls, are absolute and bona fide reality (with the only but main difference being that Every Living Thing does not mention that Brian Nettleton tragically died in a car accident in Nova Scotia in 1990).
Laughter and tears, joy and heartbreak, entertainment and thought-provoking authorial musings on life, on animals, on humanity in general, Every Living Thing is a lovely, but also somewhat saddening and sobering conclusion to the All Creatures Great and Small series, saddenining in particular because we all know that Alfred Wight died of prostate cancer in 1995 and that Every Living Thing thus truly represents the author's swan song so to speak, and that there will obviously and unfortunately not be any further James Herriot memoirs.
June 27, 2013
No matter how many times I read James Herriot's excellent books, I never get tired of them. After at least ten readings, each one still has the power to make me laugh and cry, and they're all the better for the familiarity I now have with his stories. I'm pretty sure that when I'm old and grey and full of sleep, I'll be reading these books and chuckling about the time Tristan created a kitchen explosion while trying to light the fire, and crying for each of the old dogs that never got better and had to be put to sleep. And I'm also sure I'll still feel a pang of regret that I never was a country vet in Yorkshire, and never got to go on rounds with Mr Herriot, jumping out to open gates on farm visits and chatting companionably in the car with him between calls. His evident love and appreciation for animals, the Yorkshire countryside and everyone he encountered makes these books an absolute joy to read and they will always have pride of place on my bookshelves.
July 7, 2019
Most people know that James Herriot wrote about his life as a Yorkshire country vet in the 1930's, 40's, and this one, which took place in the 50's. When my children were small, we read and re-read a beautiful children’s Treasury edition of the Herriot stories. We all loved these stories, our son especially. Honestly, if I could, I would buy a copy of this for every family.
Herriot’s descriptions of Yorkshire are so delightful that four years ago, when we were traveling in England, we spent a few nights in Thirsk (known as “Darrowby” in his books) and we visited the Herriot museum (“The World of James Herriot”). The museum is the actual surgery where the stories take place. We stayed at a cozy little B&B in Thirsk. The owners grew up knowing James Herriott and his family. They all lived down the street from one another. The Herriot children, who are now adults in their seventies, went to school with owners of the B&B. They are friends still.
We took this picture of the church where James Herriot and his wife got married. It’s just down the street from the Herriot Museum.
Although I liked this book very much, it wasn’t my favorite. It’s the last one in the series. I’ve enjoyed them all and feel sad that as with all good things, this too, had to come to an end.
Herriot’s descriptions of Yorkshire are so delightful that four years ago, when we were traveling in England, we spent a few nights in Thirsk (known as “Darrowby” in his books) and we visited the Herriot museum (“The World of James Herriot”). The museum is the actual surgery where the stories take place. We stayed at a cozy little B&B in Thirsk. The owners grew up knowing James Herriott and his family. They all lived down the street from one another. The Herriot children, who are now adults in their seventies, went to school with owners of the B&B. They are friends still.
We took this picture of the church where James Herriot and his wife got married. It’s just down the street from the Herriot Museum.
Although I liked this book very much, it wasn’t my favorite. It’s the last one in the series. I’ve enjoyed them all and feel sad that as with all good things, this too, had to come to an end.
December 20, 2021
Sadly, this is the last book in the All Creatures Great And Small series by James Herriot. This book along with all the others in the series has been so much fun to read. There have been many laugh out loud moments and there have been quite a few times when I was reaching out for a tissue. The whole series has beautiful descriptions of the Yorkshire countryside which you fall in love with and with relatable characters, including all the animals these books are a must-read. Highly recommended.
November 1, 2019
The final book written by James Herriot, Every Living Thing reads like his very first book All Creatures Great And Small. It caught my interest right away and held it through every page. I could barely put it down, as you can see by how quickly I went through it. Insomnia helped a bit, but that was certainly not the only reason for such a quick reading. This book had all the charm of the first one, with stories that brought both tears and laughter. Not to mention great characters like new assistant Calum Buchanan and his badger, or the farrier who could handle any horse but was nervous about dogs.
Ten years after publishing The Lord God Made Them All, Herriot gave the world his last book. It is a charmer, magical and moving. We get to see Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricki-Woo again for the first time since ACGAS, and we meet plenty of other lovely characters human and animal. For me it was a return to something that had slipped away a bit in the last couple of titles. The writing lived and breathed again: Every Living Thing truly felt alive in a way that the last couple of books did not.
I had the same reaction to this book that I have every time I read ACGAS. At the end of the final chapter I was ready to go back to page one and start all over again. It was the perfect way to finish off my Herriot marathon.
Ten years after publishing The Lord God Made Them All, Herriot gave the world his last book. It is a charmer, magical and moving. We get to see Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricki-Woo again for the first time since ACGAS, and we meet plenty of other lovely characters human and animal. For me it was a return to something that had slipped away a bit in the last couple of titles. The writing lived and breathed again: Every Living Thing truly felt alive in a way that the last couple of books did not.
I had the same reaction to this book that I have every time I read ACGAS. At the end of the final chapter I was ready to go back to page one and start all over again. It was the perfect way to finish off my Herriot marathon.
January 4, 2025
I continue to adore James Herriot's books and writings. It has been my tradition to read one of his books in the week between Christmas and New Year's and it has been such a lovely way to close out one year and begin another. In this final installment of the All Creatures series, we really just have a series of vignettes, some connected, some not. As always Herriot's humor, charm, tenderness, love of animals and the Yorkshire Dales and people shines through.
This is my second time reading this series but I know I will revisit it again and again. It just feels like coming home.
This is my second time reading this series but I know I will revisit it again and again. It just feels like coming home.
July 26, 2009
I had to buy a second copy of this book when I rashly lent the first copy to my mum. Should have known she'd never give it up! I wrote to James Herriot to tell him how much I enjoy his books. He wrote back with a charming letter, saying that although he was no longer in the best of health, hearing from people who love animals and the countryside meant so much to him. He died 2 weeks later. : (
April 7, 2018
I hope I never tire of his books.
October 7, 2021
This is the last in this fabulous series and one I throughly enjoyed as I did all the others in this endearing series. Takes you back to a gentler time in the Yorkshire Dales. Where farmers worked all hours and vets were on call out day and night. A truly lovely book.
May 26, 2024
No wonder James Herriot’s books are so beloved!
March 21, 2021
After watching the newest production of All Creatures Great and Small on PBS, I wanted to revisit the books that I loved so much years ago. This book was published about 20 years after the original four U.S. editions and I wasn’t sure if I had ever read it or not. I’m still not sure about that but it was delightful to read these stories. A part of the books has always been Herriot’s love of the Yorkshire countryside. Now that I’ve been to England, I can picture that beautiful scenery more vividly. I can’t wait for season 2 of the new series.
February 22, 2014
I love all James Herriot books and this was no different. It's like eating comfort food, but not fattening.
September 28, 2023
Here we are. The final and last book of James Herriot. And what an ending to such a great series! Post-war Darrowby keeps James Herriot and his friend and partner Siegfried Farnon on their toes as more friends, both furry and human, are introduced and in need of veterinary assistance. Although Tristan was greatly and sorely missed by me, assistants John Crooks and Calum Buchanan still made me laugh and enjoy their time in James's stories. Especially Calum. How he keeps Marilyn the badger on his shoulder is beyond me! 😂 Again, the smiles and the tears were ever so present as I read this beautiful book. When I closed the book, I sat in awe and disbelief. I finished the series and I didn't know what to do with myself because I felt that I finished it too soon. I felt as if I my friend just left me for a moment and I already missed them. And you know what? I think James Herriot and I would have been great friends ☺️ As the farmers in Darrowby would say, "Aye, he's a rum 'un!"
Well, I can't keep away from these books for long, so you know what I'll be rereading soon 😉😂
Happy Reading!✨
Well, I can't keep away from these books for long, so you know what I'll be rereading soon 😉😂
Happy Reading!✨
December 21, 2025
Every Living Thing (#8) by James Herriot (1992 1st edition, hardcover), 373 pages.
I have spent the past 3 months really enjoying reading up on James Herriot’s memoir and adventures in veterinarian life. Tonight, I completed the 5th, and final, book in the series.
This series is more than just stories on veterinary care. It is more about humanity and caring for others needs above yourself. Herriot was just this type of person. So refreshing! His stories are also humorous as he is not afraid to put himself in a funny light. He made learning about his co-workers and the farmers personalities very interesting. I found myself snickering out-loud, even in this last and final book in the series. There are no re-runs. Each story in each book are all uniquely different.
THE COMPLETE SERIES
* All Creatures Great and Small (#1-2) (1972) (incorporating If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet)
* All Things Bright and Beautiful (#3-4) (1974) (incorporating Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness)
* All Things Wise and Wonderful (#5-6) (1977) (incorporating Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin)
* The Lord God Made Them All (#7) (1981)
* Every Living Thing (#8) (1992)
I have spent the past 3 months really enjoying reading up on James Herriot’s memoir and adventures in veterinarian life. Tonight, I completed the 5th, and final, book in the series.
This series is more than just stories on veterinary care. It is more about humanity and caring for others needs above yourself. Herriot was just this type of person. So refreshing! His stories are also humorous as he is not afraid to put himself in a funny light. He made learning about his co-workers and the farmers personalities very interesting. I found myself snickering out-loud, even in this last and final book in the series. There are no re-runs. Each story in each book are all uniquely different.
THE COMPLETE SERIES
* All Creatures Great and Small (#1-2) (1972) (incorporating If Only They Could Talk and It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet)
* All Things Bright and Beautiful (#3-4) (1974) (incorporating Let Sleeping Vets Lie and Vet in Harness)
* All Things Wise and Wonderful (#5-6) (1977) (incorporating Vets Might Fly and Vet in a Spin)
* The Lord God Made Them All (#7) (1981)
* Every Living Thing (#8) (1992)
February 29, 2024
„Every Living Thing“ ist das letzte der Bücher, die auf Goodreads in die Reihe „All Creatures Great and Small“ eingeordnet sind. Wie schon im Vorgänger „The Lord God Made Them All“ ist auch in diesem Band die Erzählung nicht länger chronologisch wie in den ersten drei Büchern, sondern anekdotenhaft. Wir hören wieder viel über schrullige Bauern, Haustierbesitzer, James‘ und Helens Kinder und ihr Familienleben. Auch dieser Teil kommt nicht an die ersten drei heran, hat mir aber besser gefallen als der letzte. Herriot besinnt sich wieder mehr auf die Themen, um die es in den ersten drei Bänden ging. Manchmal frage ich mich, ob wirklich ein einziger Tierarzt in seinem Arbeitsleben auf so viele Skurrilitäten treffen kann oder ob da nicht auch manches von Kollegen mit eingeflossen oder erdacht ist. Auf Audible ist noch ein Hörbuch namens „The Wonderful World of James Herriot“ verfügbar, das u. a. Nicholas Ralph als Sprecher aufführt. Ich vermute, dass es sich dabei um Ausschnitte aus den anderen Büchern handelt. Ich werde auf jeden Fall beobachten, ob da noch etwas geplant ist, auf Goodreads ist durchaus noch mehr von James Herriot zu finden, ich vermute aber, dass es sich dabei um Teil des Hauptwerks handelt, die separat verfügbar sind. Ich werde die aktuelle Serienverfilmung weiter verfolgen, auch wenn sie doch einen ganz anderen Fokus hat als die Bücher, und die ersten drei Bücher werde ich mir sicher irgendwann auch noch einmal anhören.
May 11, 2011
This is a very fitting last book to James Herriot's collection. In it, he and Helen move several times, and he details each move and house and what it represents to him. He also details the characters, arrivals, acclimatisations, and departures or two memorable veterinary assistants, both of which make for very compelling reading, though the "vet wi' the badger" is my favorite.
The book culminates with a very small, personal, tender story of Herriot and his own cats. This is one of the very best of the books, and I highly recommend it.
(I apologize for the brevity of this review. I finished it right as I got away on vacation on May 5, and I really do best when I can review these books right away.)
The book culminates with a very small, personal, tender story of Herriot and his own cats. This is one of the very best of the books, and I highly recommend it.
(I apologize for the brevity of this review. I finished it right as I got away on vacation on May 5, and I really do best when I can review these books right away.)
May 10, 2021
Well this is kind of an embarrassing read. Why's that? For starters, I have never read a Herriot book until just now and I think that's sadly pathetic but, at least, corrected and redeemed. Secondly, we were supposed to read Herriot for our book club last month and in anticipation of this joyous event, I ordered the UK edition and, subsequently, read the wrong title in a state of confusion. I was supposed to read the FIRST story in this series. Instead I read the last. But I read it, so doesn't that count for something? I hope.
I enjoyed it! Turns out I really could only read Herriot in small, bite-sized chunks but that just added to the overall pleasure. It drug it out. But I wasn't complaining. Glad for the introduction and now I feel it my duty to go and grab Book 1 and get to it.
I enjoyed it! Turns out I really could only read Herriot in small, bite-sized chunks but that just added to the overall pleasure. It drug it out. But I wasn't complaining. Glad for the introduction and now I feel it my duty to go and grab Book 1 and get to it.
January 31, 2024
4.5 stars
My husband and I have read two chapters of a James Herriot novel every Friday for the past four years as a part of our date day. It has gotten to the place that when I know a heartbreaking story is coming, I will pass the book to him to let him finish while I dry my tears.
But the sad stories are few and far between. More often than not we are laughing our heads off at Calum's shenanigans or James' humiliation at the hand of some know-it-all farmer.
These stories are a wonderful blend of humor and pathos, which enable the reader to deeply identify with the characters and their pets. Very satisfying!
My husband and I have read two chapters of a James Herriot novel every Friday for the past four years as a part of our date day. It has gotten to the place that when I know a heartbreaking story is coming, I will pass the book to him to let him finish while I dry my tears.
But the sad stories are few and far between. More often than not we are laughing our heads off at Calum's shenanigans or James' humiliation at the hand of some know-it-all farmer.
These stories are a wonderful blend of humor and pathos, which enable the reader to deeply identify with the characters and their pets. Very satisfying!
December 27, 2024
The one in which James rounds out his anecdotal series with many more animal stories but also his family life and his relationships with the young vets in the office as well as more about Siegfried.
This brings to a conclusion my time spent with Herriot.
I’ve been in Darrowby for almost the whole month of December and I will have to say there would have been many worse ways to do December.
I’m going to miss the sweet, gentle reading that is Herriot.
This brings to a conclusion my time spent with Herriot.
I’ve been in Darrowby for almost the whole month of December and I will have to say there would have been many worse ways to do December.
I’m going to miss the sweet, gentle reading that is Herriot.
June 18, 2025
Each chapter was focused on sharing an experience James had over his career, ranging from various co-worders, family pets, new medical practices and relationships with clients and their animals. I especially enjoyed following the story of the stray cats who showed up at their house but refused to come inside the house no matter how much James & Helen tried to tempt them.
March 10, 2022
All the James Herriot books are good and are a mixture of cows, sheep, pigs, dogs and cats. Love hearing about the animals and the tough job vets have to do to help keep them healthy. Also love reading about the beautiful countryside. But especially love reading about the people, both the good and the grumpy. Love how James Herriot handles them all so good naturedly. I liked all the stories but there was one that was particular great I want to relate here. From Chapter 20 -
In lambing time the constant washing in the open pens or in the windy fields turns the skin on his hands and up his arms to raw meat . The farmers seem to only give minute portions of old scrubbing soap. Then farms usually give him a piece of sacking (hessian sack?) to dry his arms as towels were a scarce commodity. Sometimes an old soiled one. they are painful to rub his arms with from the coarse material.
He didn't know what one farmer, George Birrell's attitude was to towels, but his mother, old Grandma Birrell, had clear views on the matter.
"When I had finished stitching a tear on the cow's udder I stood on the cobbles, blood-spattered and expectant, waiting for the old lady. Right on cue, she came into the byre hand in hand with four-year-old Lucy, the youngest of her grandchildren. She set down a milking stool and laid out in a perfectly folded oblong a newly laundered towel of a snowy whiteness and on top of this she placed a tablet of expensive lavender toilet soap in its wrappings, virgin and unopened. A brightly scoured aluminum bucket of steaming water completed the picture, as pretty a one as ever I had seen."
He goes on a little to say how wonderful it was to be treated like nothing was too good for Mer. Herriot.
Then a while later Siegfried hands him a copy of the Darrowby and Houlton times and in the deaths column, "Mrs. Marjorie Birrell, aged 78, dearly beloved wife of the later Herbert Birrell..."
So next time he has to go to the farm to treat an animal, he didn't know what was going to happen.
As I pondered, the half-door was pushed open and little Lucy came into the byre, staggering slightly as she carrier the familiar shining bucket of hot water. Then from under her arm she produced a towel and soap and laid them on a milking stool. And it was the same spotless, geometrically folded towel and the same pristine toilet soap as before.
Slightly flushed, the little girl looked up at me, "Gran said I had to look after you," she said breathlessly. "She told me what to do."
In lambing time the constant washing in the open pens or in the windy fields turns the skin on his hands and up his arms to raw meat . The farmers seem to only give minute portions of old scrubbing soap. Then farms usually give him a piece of sacking (hessian sack?) to dry his arms as towels were a scarce commodity. Sometimes an old soiled one. they are painful to rub his arms with from the coarse material.
He didn't know what one farmer, George Birrell's attitude was to towels, but his mother, old Grandma Birrell, had clear views on the matter.
"When I had finished stitching a tear on the cow's udder I stood on the cobbles, blood-spattered and expectant, waiting for the old lady. Right on cue, she came into the byre hand in hand with four-year-old Lucy, the youngest of her grandchildren. She set down a milking stool and laid out in a perfectly folded oblong a newly laundered towel of a snowy whiteness and on top of this she placed a tablet of expensive lavender toilet soap in its wrappings, virgin and unopened. A brightly scoured aluminum bucket of steaming water completed the picture, as pretty a one as ever I had seen."
He goes on a little to say how wonderful it was to be treated like nothing was too good for Mer. Herriot.
Then a while later Siegfried hands him a copy of the Darrowby and Houlton times and in the deaths column, "Mrs. Marjorie Birrell, aged 78, dearly beloved wife of the later Herbert Birrell..."
So next time he has to go to the farm to treat an animal, he didn't know what was going to happen.
As I pondered, the half-door was pushed open and little Lucy came into the byre, staggering slightly as she carrier the familiar shining bucket of hot water. Then from under her arm she produced a towel and soap and laid them on a milking stool. And it was the same spotless, geometrically folded towel and the same pristine toilet soap as before.
Slightly flushed, the little girl looked up at me, "Gran said I had to look after you," she said breathlessly. "She told me what to do."
April 5, 2013
I don't know how many times I have told people how wonderful the first book in this series is, "All Creatures Great and Small". Many times. They always give me a look like they are humoring me. I get it a little bit. It took me a while to pick these up. I'm not much of an animal lover, I don't dislike animals I'm just a bit ambivalent. However, movies and books about animals... usually bore me to death or are extremely silly (movies with talking animals? No, thank you!) However, I can honestly say that these charming books are one of my favorite series of all time. When I pick these books up I suddenly wish I could have been a vet in Yorkshire and known all of these marvelous people and animals and experiences. If you knew how little this fits me you would realize how ridiculous that is. If you haven't read these books because, well, it just doesn't sound all that interesting, trust me, you are doing yourself a disservice. I can't talk them up enough. None of them quite touch the magic of the first one, I think because of the novelty, but they are all wonderful.
December 22, 2020
**Sigh** Today I read the last chapter of this last book in James Herriot's heartwarming series, and had to take a short moment to grieve. These wholehearted stories, narrated by the brilliant Christopher Timothy, have accompanied me for the last five years through my travels back and forth to my distant family, cheered me as I waited in parking lots for my kids to be picked up from after school practices and rehearsals, and shortened the drive coming home late nights from my church. How many times have I caught myself laughing aloud, alone in my car, at one of Herriot's retelling of his veterinary bumbles, only to glance over and see someone, sitting next to me at a stoplight, clearly questioning my right-mindedness. I will revisit this series again...and again...because a trip to the northern Dales is just what is needed to bring one out of the baseness of today's world. For me, heaven looks a lot like Darrowby.
January 5, 2026
This last volume of stories is bittersweet. "Jim" recounts life in post-war Britain in the 1950s when his kids were school age and the family was young and carefree. He had a revolving door of assistants to help with the regular clients and was pushed into the late 20th century performing small animal surgery. Unfortunately he couldn't save every creature great and small, especially small, and I think that weighed heavily on him. His love for animals shines through on every page as it does in the previous volumes. It hurt deeply that he wasn't able to save all the animals but he always tried his hardest and never gave up even when it seemed impossible. Sometimes all it took was training the owners. That much hasn't changed in more than half a century! One thing I disliked very much was his casual fat shaming, especially of his own small daughter. I was also shocked by how primitive veterinary surgery for small animals was. They just spayed the cats and sent them home afterwards. They performed major surgery to reset a broken bone in a dog and sent him home expecting him to automatically use the previously bad leg. Um what? It doesn't work that way! Yikes. He also performs a tumor amputation on the kitchen table! There was always something new for him to learn and it was a struggle to keep up.
My very favorite creature is the pampered Pekinese dog, Tricki Woo. I howled with laughter when his Mummy, Mrs. Pumphrey, announced he is deeply knowledgeable about horse-racing and has recently become interested in Greyhound racing. LOL! This is one sharp pup who makes a fortune betting on horses and hounds! I love it! Mrs. Pumphrey was a good woman. She treated the vets well and they humored her eccentricities. Here we learn a Chinese food restaurant has opened in Darrowby and some of the villagers tend to be unkind. This displeases Tricki, a descendant of Chinese emperors. Therefore, Mrs. Pumphrey decides to patronize the establishment, making Chinese takeout all the rage in Darrowby. She didn't announce what she was doing or make a big deal out of. She just led by example. I hope Tricki's betting makes it into the show. (They also missed the time when his Mummy tried to get him a sibling of a different species.) The little dog actor is such a ham and everybody's favorite, I'm sure they'll use Tricki stories again in the next season.
Jim's son, ten-year-old Jimmy, is already a better vet than his old man and eager to help Dad with his work. Sweet Rosie, 6, also enjoys helping look after Dad while he's on his rounds. The kids enjoy it when their dad does silly (dumb) stuff, especially while suffering delirium during a bought of Brucellosis. Dad singing bawdy? songs in Scots is hysterically funny and the kids were probably shielded from the reason why Dad was acting so funny. He was a real hands-on dad who loved his kids as much as he loved the animals he cared for. Jim is also sweet and caring towards his beloved wife, Helen, and wants to make her life easier. A new house would be just the thing, as Skeldale House is drafty and difficult to maneuver in and a lot of work to clean. Jim's auction antics are a riot and totally something my dad would do.
The stories about Jim's new assistant, Callum Buchanan, are hysterical. Callum was the most eccentric person, different from Siegfried and totally unconcerned with the little things in life, like eating. He had a menagerie, including, most notably, a badger slung over his shoulder! Those things are huge and scary from what I've read. Callum Buchanan was friend to animals and a true nature lover. He was what they call a "tree hugger" and more at home in the woods communing with plants and animals than in the surgery. He handled the farmers well and became much loved by everyone. His adventures are quite amusing as related by James Herriot in his lovely, charming writing style. This is one character I want to see appear in the show.
There's something new in town competing for everyone's attention - the television! It makes everyone - even the good vets, forgetful and preoccupied. But I wanted to stay home and watch my show! The TV affects pet owners in a negative way and in a sad/funny/relatable story, he shares the story of a dog with mange whose owners are far too preoccupied watching TV to care for their dog. Luckily, the good vet loves dogs and knows what to do even if he has to do it himself. There's also help from an unexpected quarter that will give the dog a better life than he's ever known before.
One very funny story about Jim's half day off when Helen had tickets to a classical music concert. Jim was greatly looking forward to a day of lunch with friends, shopping and listening to good music. Before all that he had to make a house call... He was warned and didn't listen and I was surprised he didn't take better precautions afterwards.
There are sad stories too. It is especially lowering to read how the health of the human is tied to the health of the animal companion. Our companions mean more to us than we'll ever know and when they're sick or hurt, it hurts us but what we may not realize is it holds true the other way around as well. Jim learns this the hard way during his rounds in the village. He can't save every animal and especially moving is the story of the feral cats, Olly and Ginny, Helen slightly tamed and Jim longed to touch. As always, this story is interspersed with his customary humor but it's bittersweet. Also bittersweet is the depiction of the changing countryside from agrarian economy with a local pub to a vacation destination complete with modern bar.
I'm sad to have finished these stories and am now eager for the next season of the show to begin next week. (We have the PBS Passport app but my parents don't want to watch it early!) I will be rereading the books probably later after each season of the show again.
By sheer coincidence, as I was reading this and Christmas shopping, I ran into a modern day female farm vet/farmer! Everything she said was exactly as James Herriot described it, right down to the farmers thinking they know more because they're older and have been doing this forever. They don't trust science even today. There's many cold, long nights lambing and farmers who can't/won't pay. She gets extra flack for being a young(ish) female, of course.
My very favorite creature is the pampered Pekinese dog, Tricki Woo. I howled with laughter when his Mummy, Mrs. Pumphrey, announced he is deeply knowledgeable about horse-racing and has recently become interested in Greyhound racing. LOL! This is one sharp pup who makes a fortune betting on horses and hounds! I love it! Mrs. Pumphrey was a good woman. She treated the vets well and they humored her eccentricities. Here we learn a Chinese food restaurant has opened in Darrowby and some of the villagers tend to be unkind. This displeases Tricki, a descendant of Chinese emperors. Therefore, Mrs. Pumphrey decides to patronize the establishment, making Chinese takeout all the rage in Darrowby. She didn't announce what she was doing or make a big deal out of. She just led by example. I hope Tricki's betting makes it into the show. (They also missed the time when his Mummy tried to get him a sibling of a different species.) The little dog actor is such a ham and everybody's favorite, I'm sure they'll use Tricki stories again in the next season.
Jim's son, ten-year-old Jimmy, is already a better vet than his old man and eager to help Dad with his work. Sweet Rosie, 6, also enjoys helping look after Dad while he's on his rounds. The kids enjoy it when their dad does silly (dumb) stuff, especially while suffering delirium during a bought of Brucellosis. Dad singing bawdy? songs in Scots is hysterically funny and the kids were probably shielded from the reason why Dad was acting so funny. He was a real hands-on dad who loved his kids as much as he loved the animals he cared for. Jim is also sweet and caring towards his beloved wife, Helen, and wants to make her life easier. A new house would be just the thing, as Skeldale House is drafty and difficult to maneuver in and a lot of work to clean. Jim's auction antics are a riot and totally something my dad would do.
The stories about Jim's new assistant, Callum Buchanan, are hysterical. Callum was the most eccentric person, different from Siegfried and totally unconcerned with the little things in life, like eating. He had a menagerie, including, most notably, a badger slung over his shoulder! Those things are huge and scary from what I've read. Callum Buchanan was friend to animals and a true nature lover. He was what they call a "tree hugger" and more at home in the woods communing with plants and animals than in the surgery. He handled the farmers well and became much loved by everyone. His adventures are quite amusing as related by James Herriot in his lovely, charming writing style. This is one character I want to see appear in the show.
There's something new in town competing for everyone's attention - the television! It makes everyone - even the good vets, forgetful and preoccupied. But I wanted to stay home and watch my show! The TV affects pet owners in a negative way and in a sad/funny/relatable story, he shares the story of a dog with mange whose owners are far too preoccupied watching TV to care for their dog. Luckily, the good vet loves dogs and knows what to do even if he has to do it himself. There's also help from an unexpected quarter that will give the dog a better life than he's ever known before.
One very funny story about Jim's half day off when Helen had tickets to a classical music concert. Jim was greatly looking forward to a day of lunch with friends, shopping and listening to good music. Before all that he had to make a house call... He was warned and didn't listen and I was surprised he didn't take better precautions afterwards.
There are sad stories too. It is especially lowering to read how the health of the human is tied to the health of the animal companion. Our companions mean more to us than we'll ever know and when they're sick or hurt, it hurts us but what we may not realize is it holds true the other way around as well. Jim learns this the hard way during his rounds in the village. He can't save every animal and especially moving is the story of the feral cats, Olly and Ginny, Helen slightly tamed and Jim longed to touch. As always, this story is interspersed with his customary humor but it's bittersweet. Also bittersweet is the depiction of the changing countryside from agrarian economy with a local pub to a vacation destination complete with modern bar.
I'm sad to have finished these stories and am now eager for the next season of the show to begin next week. (We have the PBS Passport app but my parents don't want to watch it early!) I will be rereading the books probably later after each season of the show again.
By sheer coincidence, as I was reading this and Christmas shopping, I ran into a modern day female farm vet/farmer! Everything she said was exactly as James Herriot described it, right down to the farmers thinking they know more because they're older and have been doing this forever. They don't trust science even today. There's many cold, long nights lambing and farmers who can't/won't pay. She gets extra flack for being a young(ish) female, of course.
October 18, 2018
Wonderful series!
December 21, 2020
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
April 21, 2022
5⭐! I am sad it is over. 😭
October 26, 2022
I think James Herriot is one of my favorite authors. I just love how he weaves his tales from his vet practice and family life into such lovely, lively, funny and emotional stories.
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