All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
Narrated by: Nicholas Ralph
Publication Date: November 17, 2020 - Out Now!
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Description from NetGalley...
“These are the stories that catapulted James Herriot to literary fame. When this book was first published, it was merely a simple volume of memoirs by an unknown Scottish veterinarian. But within a year, the book became recognized as a masterpiece. And in the three decades that followed, Dr. Herriot has become one of the most universally loved authors of our time.

In this first volume of memoirs, then-newly-qualified vet James Herriot arrives in the small Yorkshire village of Darrowby and he has no idea what to expect. How will he get on with his new boss? With the local farmers? And what will the animals think? Filled with hilarious and touching tales of the unpredictable Sigfriend Farnon, Sigfreid's zany brother, Tristan, and Herriot's first encounters with a beautiful girl called Helen.”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @macmillan.audio @macmillanusa for the audiobook in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
I’ve seen a few of the episodes from the original series and so I was excited to see the audiobook at NetGalley. Nicholas Ralph’s was just brilliant. His interpretation of the book was spot on and it was just great for me because I’m a sucker for the Scottish accent. The book is a memoir of Dr. James Herriot as a Yorkshire veterinarian in the 1930s, written kind of like short stories centered on the animals and their owners who were such characters on their own right. The book told of his veterinary adventures that were a mixed of humourous, sad, heartwarming, heartbreaking and inspiring stories. And they were very medically graphic, which was really interesting to hear. Is it my age, because I really enjoyed this? 😁 By the way, looking forward to the series on @masterpiecepbs

I enjoyed listening to the stories of the new Yorkshire vet. The stories are a good mix of animal and human stories, both humorous and touching. The reader gets to know some of the locals through Harriot's encounters. The narration by Nicholas Ralph adds to the enjoyment. Looking forward to listening to the following collection, All Things Bright and Beautiful..

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book is like a warm hug, which I think we could all use right now. This lovely memoir is the perfect antidote to the current hideous election trauma. Highly recommended for the perfect escape to the beautiful Yorkshire landscape and a simpler time.

historical, hilarious, memoir, nonfiction, 1930s, short-stories, rural, village, Yorkshire, veterinarian, verbal-humor

Of course I started with Book two. But here I finally got to Book one and none of the rest mattered. I think I'm glad I waited this long to listen to this fun classic story written by a real rural veterinarian in the 1930s because this performer is so good that he is doing the BBC series! The whole is beyond wonderful!!!
This program is read by Nicholas Ralph, star of the new PBS Masterpiece series and his interpretation is wonderful! I love listening to him as he portrays Herriot and everyone else.
I requested and received a free audio copy from MacMillan Audio via NetGalley. Thank you!

'If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.’

This is at least the third time I’ve read this memoir of the famous veterinarian, who began his life as a veterinarian in rural northern England’s Yorkshire, but this time I listened to the new audiobook, which was narrated by Nicholas Ralph, “star of the new Masterpiece series,” which I loved even more.

’No animal is a better judge of comfort than a cat and they were just visible as furry balls in the straw.’

I re-read this for the first time in many years last year, although I’d read it first when I was probably around 9 or 10, and then again as a teenager. Reading it always managed to pull me in and charm me, as Herriot has a way of bringing it all to life, but a life that isn’t easy, while still making it all seem wonderful, and even occasionally idyllic.

’Life was full for me. There were so many things to find out and a lot I had to prove to myself. The days were quick and challenging and they pressed on me with their very newness. But it all stopped here in the garden. Everything seemed to have stopped here a long time ago. I looked back before going through the door into the yard and it was like suddenly coming across a picture in an old book; the empty, wild garden and the tall, silent house beyond. I could never quite believe it was there and that I was a part of it.’

The narration by Nicholas Ralph made the story come alive even more for me, I was so fully immersed - when I managed to squeeze in time for listening to this. I think I had an almost continual smile on my face for the hours I was listening to him narrate this story, I never felt as though I was listening to a narrator tell another person’s story, I felt like I was hearing Herriot’s story directly from him.

’All young animals are appealing but the lamb has been given an unfair share of charm.’

Filled with humour and charm, Nicholas Ralph’s wonderful narration captured my attention and was a joy to listen to from start to finish.


Published: 17 Nov 2020

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Macmillan Audio / St. Martin’s Press

I loved these books as a child and this chance to revisit them in this time of global uncertainty is priceless. As beautiful, uplifting and life affirming as I remembered