Aug 22, 2004 01:10 PM
3464 Views
(Updated Aug 22, 2004 01:10 PM)
There are certain books that one just doesn?t want to give away. These are books that we are loathe even to lend to other people. We have different reasons to love these books. Perhaps they evoke nostalgia; perhaps they embody a philosophy that we have embraced. They have a special place not only in our bookcases but also our heart. All books by James Herriot have such a place in mine.
He has written quite a few books. I will enlist them for your convenience.
The Lord God Made Them All
All Creatures Great and Small
All Things Bright and Beautiful
All things Wise and Wonderful
(Omnibus editions)
James Herriot?s Dog Stories
If Only They Could Talk
Let Sleeping Vets Lie
Vet in Harness
Vets Might Fly
Vet in a Spin
Every Living Thing
Herriot?s writing is in the same breath very ordinary and very exceptional. The language is simplistic and easy to understand. No big words and no fancy language to explain his emotions. However the kind of warmth that he evokes in his readers is beyond the scope of just a simple writer. His books are full of wisdom and wit and yet are never preachy in any way.
Herriot is a vet by profession and lives in the heart of the Dales in England. His books are all autobiographical and recount his numerous and wondrous experiences as a farmer?s vet. Herriot chronicles his life from starting out as a newly qualified vet, till at the end he has started his own practice. Along the way, he falls in love, is called out for war as an RAF pilot, has numerous cases to solve, makes many friends, has children and ends with his teaching them to love nature and its creatures.
His books are divided into chapters in which each chapter is an anecdote in itself. He recounts his life and learning and in the process recounts numerous stories that bring out the characters of the various farmers and their animals. He does not shy away from showing himself in bad light and in fact most of his stories are marked by the ease with which he can laugh at himself.
Animals are of course the stars of these stories. He has such a deep affection and understanding for them that it is impossible to not feel the joy that he describes when he gives birth to a lamb, or not feel his utter desolation when he has lost a beautiful horse to colic. He brings out the character of these animals very beautifully. You fall in love with the idiosyncrasies of a dog that loves to run at full speed and then dive in a pond; you feel pain when you hear of the horse that slashes up its chest when it runs into a barbed wire, you are mystified each time he runs across a disease he cant diagnose. These books are definitely for animal lovers.
The writing style is very easy on the eyes. The pace never flags and since each chapter is its own story, you never realize that you are actually reading a novel. He has a very good sense of humor which is both sensitive and hilarious at the same time. He has fleshed out the characters very well. The truculent boss who is a genius and a darling underneath his gruff behavior. The boss?s mischievous brother, who is charming and handsome and yet such a good natured fellow. These characters bring atmosphere to the books and make them immensely readable.
Herriot?s own romance requires special mention. The books chronicle his love life all the way from his tentative pursuit of the lovely lady, up until they marry and have children. The story is very real and you come to identify with their laughter and their tears. Their relationship is so amazing that I still hold it as a yardstick for any that happen in my life.
Though I am pretty biased when it comes to these books, I must look at them objectively. They are definitely not as interesting for people who do not understand being so tied up in animals. If you have never had a pet and don?t want to, then these books might seem a little boring. Also, this is not heavy reading of any sort. These are lighthearted novelettes. They are also at times a bit technical when it comes to the medical treatment. However, this is generally balanced out by the human stories in the books.
Herriot?s company is a pleasure. Once you start reading him, you start looking forward to sharing his ups and downs and the joys of his patients and friends.
