Sign in with Facebook
Cheri's Reviews > All Creatures Great and Small
All Creatures Great and Small
by
‘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
by
Cheri's review
bookshelves: 2020, autobiography-memoir, nonfiction, british-author, animals-nature, classics, england, audiobook
Dec 02, 2020
bookshelves: 2020, autobiography-memoir, nonfiction, british-author, animals-nature, classics, england, audiobook
Read 2 times. Last read November 29, 2020 to December 2, 2020.
‘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
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
All Creatures Great and Small.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
March 4, 2012
– Shelved
(Paperback Edition)
March 4, 2012
– Shelved
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
August 9, 2019
–
Started Reading
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
August 10, 2019
–
Finished Reading
(Mass Market Paperback Edition)
November 29, 2020
–
Started Reading
November 29, 2020
– Shelved
November 29, 2020
–
33.0%
November 30, 2020
–
67.0%
December 1, 2020
–
78.0%
December 2, 2020
–
100.0%
December 2, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-14 of 14 (14 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Candi
(new)
-
added it
Dec 02, 2020 04:51PM
A delightful review, Cheri! I read this as a teenager and have it marked to re-read one of these days. I especially love that first quote!
reply
|
flag
Thanks so much, Candi! I read this first when I was probably 7 or 8, but maybe younger, and then again in my teens, and again last year, but listening to this really added to it for me.
A perpetual favorite! I love that you revisit it so often. I have read it twice and would love to have another go. Looking forward to the new series as well. I watched the first one, back in the 70's.
Sara, thank you! I have never watched the series, so I'm a bit jealous! I re-read this last year, but the audio for this felt like a mini-vacation, it was so enjoyable.
What a lovely review, Cheri! So good to know you enjoyed this audio book immensely even though you had read this book on previous occasions over the passage of time. Wonderful!
Cheri, fabulous review. I have to admit , I have not read this 🙄
Wonderful review Cheri and I agree with the first quote :)
Thanks so much, Laysee, I must admit that I was surprised by this one, but the narrator really added to my enjoyment.
Thank you, Angela, I think you would enjoy listening to this narrator read, he does such an excellent job, it felt a little like taking a vacation without the expense!
Thanks so much, Annette, I love that quote, as well!
Ahh ........ love these books - read them many years ago and also loved the original tv series, part of my growing up :) Great review Cheri :)
Thanks so much, Richard, this was such a pleasure to listen to. I wish I'd seen the tv series, but I read this series when I was very young, and loved them then, and still do!
Fantastic review, Cheri! As an animal lover,I feel like I should have read this, but sadly I have not. I really do need to make a point of reading this soon. I am glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much, Meredith! I think when you can find time for it that you will love it, it's filled with charm and some quirky characters, as well as all of the animals. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend this one, the narrator is excellent!
