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Vets Might Fly
Vets Might Fly
Author: James Herriot
A severe case of World War II takes James Herriot away from his vet's life in the Dales.   He goes into a training camp somewhere in England.   He daydreams of the livestock he left behind him.
ISBN: 225775
Publication Date: 1978
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Publisher: Pan
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
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scoutmomskf avatar reviewed Vets Might Fly on + 2527 more book reviews
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.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Vets Might Fly on + 1435 more book reviews
More tales of animals, farmers, and veterinarians, this time using his WWII experiences in the RAF as a springboard. Fans of the "All Creatures" series will enjoy this one, too.
reviewed Vets Might Fly on + 3352 more book reviews
An English veterinarian recalls his early days as a vet. Funny, heart-warming, good study of both animals and people. Is actually part of a bigger book, All Creatures Great and Small.
reviewed Vets Might Fly on + 3352 more book reviews
Lots of fun from an English country veterinarian who loved his work and the people with whom he worked - though all their vagaries.

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