James Herriot is probably the most beloved living writer. When All Things Bright and Beautiful was published three years ago, it became the number one best seller in the world, winning still new friends for the Yorkshire veterinarian whose first book All Creatures Great and Small had already been enjoyed by millions of readers.
In this, his third book, he takes up where he left off-- both in terms of the warmth, humor, and skill with which he writes, and in the story itself. It is World War Two and James has just been inducted into the RAF. We see him at training camp and we go back to Yorkshire-- on real trips as he breaks away to see Helen who is about to have a baby, and on trips of reverie as he recalls the Dales, the animals, and the Yorkshire people who have so enriched his life. We meet old friends again-- his partner Siegfried, the zany Tristan, the bon vivant Granville Bennett-- and scores of new folk, each with a story to tell. James Herriot is back, and, as one reviewer said of his work, "If ever you have loved a friend, human or otherwise, this is the book for you."
Cynthia L. R. (Honeygirl62) - Gasport, NY wrote on 6/8/2009...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
In this book, James Herriot is in his mid-twenties, married and has a new baby boy. He writes about his experiences while in the RAF during World War II. He often compares the situations he finds himself in to memories he has working as a vetrinary surgeon before he enlisted. He has such a wonderful way of writing, the way he describes the countryside, the people there that he has grown to love, his love and soft-heartedness for animals. He has a way of poking fun at himself and making these adventures sound so funny. There are a few times when certain stories made me cry, too. I just love this author and his books and this one is another 5-star rating.