A Life of Joy: The Books of James Herriot

James Herriot was a normal country veterinarian in England, starting his practice in 1937. Yet he is an uncommon writer. His stories of life in the Yorkshire Dales are heartwarming, humorous and full of love for life and the people he meets. Though non-fiction, his books are as exciting and captivating as a novel. He takes the most ordinary and simple (or seemingly ordinary) circumstances and shows us human foibles and follies, depths and dreams, with profundity and foolishness mixed together. And humor is one of the hallmarks of Herriot’s writing.

Herriot has written numerous books, including some delightful children’s books such as Bonny’s Big Day and Smudge, The Little Lost Lamb. As he writes these accounts, Herriot provides us with a view of life in general during these years. Generally a slower-paced time, mechanized machinery was just beginning to replace the machinery pulled by horses. Remarkable new drugs were also just making an appearance.

My personal favorite is All Creatures Great and Small. This book begins when James first enters veterinary practice with Sigmund Farnon and moves through James’ first few years, ending with his marriage to a beautiful Yorkshire girl. While Britain was suffering in the midst of an economic depression, James is quite thankful to have this job after his college graduation. A city boy from Edinburgh, he has a lot of adjusting to do in the wild countryside of Yorkshire and its hills.

Each chapter chronicles a different story involving animals and their owners, which these stories are only loosely tied together. Running through the book are accounts of Sigmund’s younger brother Tristan and his exploits, episodes involving their colicky vehicles, James’ fear of horses, a Pekinese named Tricki and his owner wealthy owner Mrs. Pumphrey, along with an assortment of colorful Dales farmers.

Some of the stories are emotionally touching and many are laugh-out-loud funny. My favorite is found in chapter 39 and involves James, Tristan and several of the vets’ cars. Every time I’ve read it I’ve had to smile, chuckle and even burst out laughing. The characters, especially the principals–Sigmund, Tristan and James–are delightful. They begin to seem like family; you feel like you know them personally as you read the book. And you may not want the enjoyment to end. Fortunately you can pick up another one of Herriot’s books in this series, such as All Things Bright and Beautiful or Every Living Thing.

Another book I recently read is If You Want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland. Somehow these two books go together. It is Ueland’s contention that everyone can write, that everyone is unique and talented. This book appeals not just to writers but also to teachers and parents who desire to nurture and mentor others in creative expression.

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