Three of A Kind - James Herriot: 3/3 All Things Wise and Wonderful

All Things Wise and Wonderful. This is the third book feature for James Herriot. I apologize, this took quite a while to come out. I had some things I had to finish. So don't fret, the wait is finally over and here it is.

Like the first two books of James Herriot, this one also contains a lot of enjoyable and hilarious stories on his calls to the farms. What is different this time is the circumstances in Dr. Herriot's life. This time he is married to Helen, as mentioned in All Things Bright and Beautiful. They now live in the top floor of the Skeldale House. Everything is going smoothly with the practice and their domestic life when the boys of Skeldale House got a letter to enlist in the military. Of course, James, Siegfred and Tristan are all loyal citizens, they signed up. James left Helen in Skeldale House and this time she is pregnant with their first child. James was assigned to the RAF (Royal Air Force) and started training. In fact, Helen gave birth to their son with James still in the RAF.

In between rest from strict training and going out to town with his mates, James would miss Helen and remember their experiences and he would often recall them with great pleasure. So, all in all, the book talked about his training in the RAF where some incidents would lead him to remember parallel experiences in Darrowby. Especially, when James' senior officer has it bad for him. His commanding officer seem to hate him. To alleviate his misery and homesickness, he would often reminisce about the comical encounters in the farms and his house calls in Darrowby. 

Like all other James Herriot books, this is full of mirth, fun and lots of laughter. Herriot is truly one of a kind in his genre. He made life in the dales and the back-breaking woes of farmers less arduous because of his interesting stories. Aside from the colorful human and animals characters, he also included his memorable experiences in the RAF which were also testament to his high-spirited personality. James Herriot never fails to find humor in all his situations, whether they are bordering on disaster or success. And those who love Tristan like me, you will have more of his disastrous antics. And boy, just so you know, the guy can't cook. He is all beauty and brains but not in the kitchen. But this book isn't just about all humor, there are touching parts too. Just when you thought you can't get enough of the laughter, there are also pages that would make you want to cry. Herriot has his serious side also and you can't help but admire him more.

I pride myself in stumbling upon the first of his books that I got my hands on in a second hand store. It was worth all the stooping and rummaging in the cramped space. Truly, James Herriot's works are a treasure. He never fails to put a little fun in my mundane life. Thank you James Herriot! If heaven allows you to continue to spread good vibes, then by all means do. After all, we all need a little fun and a lot of laughter in our lives. Yes, laughter is still the best medicine.

1/3 All Creatures Great and Small

2/3 All Things Bright and Beautiful

Three of A Kind - James Herriot: 2/3 All Things Bright and Beautiful

All Things Bright and Beautiful is the sequel to the All Creatures Great and Small. This time James Herriot is in his third year as a vet in Yorkshire and now married to Helen. Here he talks about how different his married life is from being single. New characters are introduced here both humans and furry creatures. As expected, you will never go bored. It is as funny as the first book. A lot more of his misadventures with the creatures he is called upon to see. Animals who have a mind of their own, apart from the quirks of their owners.

In here, he wished veterinary medicine were advanced and vaccines could have been discovered during those times, it would have done him a lot of good and also saved the poor farmers. A lot of lambing. Herriot's experiences of ewes giving birth. Cute, adorable and feisty canine characters are also included. Of animals that surely have been dead but have miraculously came back to life due to Herriot's accidental discovery of a cure.

Like all James Herriot books, this is a very relaxing read. Just like lounging in a hammock by the beach and the feel of the fresh breeze blowing in your face. Need I say more? Read the book. I have a lot of laughs while reading this and no wonder, James Herriot is for me the best comedy writer of all time. I am sure he is surrounded by people laughing at his stories in heaven.

The ewe's life had been saved not by the medicinal therapy but simply by stopping her pain and allowing nature to do its own job of healing.

...that animals confronted with severe continuous pain and the terror and shock that goes with it will often retreat even into death, and if  you can remove that pain amazing things can happen.

-James Herriot, All Things Bright and Beautiful -

1/3 All Creatures Great and Small
3/3 All Things Wise and Wonderful

Three of A Kind - James Herriot: 1/3 All Creatures Great and Small

Our Three of a Kind feature for this week is Dr. James Herriot. He was a British veterinarian. He was born James Alfred "Alf" Wright but used the pen name James Herriot. He died in 1995 at 78. His books are all about his experiences as a country vet in Yorkshire. His books are filled with anecdotes and his funny encounters with different unique characters and animals in the farms he visited. His books are my first initiation into the world of veterinary medicine and the hazards and fulfillment that came with it. After reading his books I realize that I need not just read joke books to make me laugh. There are actually novels that are comical and outrageously tickling that I can read. I just have to sharpen my book-finding-senses. After reading Herriot's books, I have started to rummaged for other books with the same theme - the witty, funny and hilarious kind. Books that have authors who do not take themselves seriously. And true enough, I have found a few.

The first book on the list under James Herriot would be All Creatures Great and Small. This is the first book he has published as a journal to his veterinary practice. It was published in 1972 but it was about his experiences in the 1930's - the early years of his practice. Those years where also not so advanced yet for veterinary medicine. The methods were still a bit primitive and crude. The book may be called an autobiography in some way since most of what is written were his real encounters. His books are now a classic.

His books have become widely known not just in Britain but also in America. There is even a TV series and a movie of the same name. I am actually curious to watch the film. Would it be as hilarious as the book? 

There is also a train service operated by Grand Central Railway that runs from Herriot's hometown, Sunderland to London King's Cross that was named after him. 

All Creatures Great and Small narrates the story of Dr. James Herriot's early years as a vet. After he qualified and his being accepted as an assistant to Dr. Siegfried Farnon of Darrowby. His life as a country vet thus begins and he is initiated into country-living. A totally different world from having grown in the city.

You would be surprised to know that Herriot's life as a country vet is far from boring. In fact, his everyday life is filled with various interesting characters of both animals and humans. In the Skeldale House alone, where Herriot lives with Siegfried and his brother Tristan and five dogs, is a riot. Siegfried and Tristan may be related by blood but they are polar opposites. Siegfried is temperamental and moody but a good boss. While Tristan is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy who sees the world as a big playground. I actually love Tristan's character compared to Siegfried. Siegfried is at times bordering on bi-polar tendencies. But even so, you'll find that the characters are all adorable even with their individual quirks and sometimes annoying antics. Not to mention the animals who also have personalities of their own. This is a really hilarious read. I often caught myself laughing, good thing I'm just at home and my family is used to me giggling and laughing alone while holding a book or an e-book reader. Beware if you are outside and reading Herriot's book, someone might think you have loose screws. There are just a lot of silly things here that you can't help but be amused and laugh out loud.

As I have mentioned, Herriot does not take himself seriously. I can vividly imagine his experiences in the book and if I were there in the farms, I would have rolled over in the grass with his antics. You just can't help but fall in love with the adorable and warm character of James Herriot. He's definitely one of the best writers I've known. Even to this modern day and age, his books have not gone out of style. I can't feel any generation gap. His humor is universal, even if you do not love animals, you will find yourself turning into a grinning idiot. His books are priceless and a pleasure to read. I read the books again for my three of a kind feature and I am taken back to the same  feeling I had when I first read the books, only this time it is much better because I had to be reminded of the experience and relive it again. It's a double doze of the amusement.

Yes, you are right, the titles of his books are from a famous poem of Cecil Frances Alexander. These titles are actually a series but the titles do not follow the order of the lines of the poem. The poem begins with All Things Bright and Beautiful but Herriot's series started with All Creatures Great and Small. The titles are really fitting. The book for me is like an ode to God by Herriot. Thanking Him for the blessings and experiences he has in his everyday vet life. It has been a very interesting existence. If I were him too, I would not trade it for anything. 

Here are certain rules and scientific theories that Dr. James Herriot has formulated after his two years of attending to various farm and domestic animals:

• That it was always the biggest men who went down - like seeing blood

• That big dogs were kept by people who live in small houses and vice versa

• Clients who often said "spare no expense" never paid their bills, not ever.

• When he asked his way in the Dales and told "you can't miss it", he knows he will soon find himself hopelessly lost.

If you are in dire need of entertainment and would want to belch out the excess gas in your body or want to exorcise the bad energies that is hindering your potentials, then by all means read a James Herriot. I am definitely positive, you will feel a lot better. You'll see the world in a different light and get a new perspective. And mind you, this is all clean fun. No swearing and cussing. Just a lot of muck and animal body parts. 

...but you never know what's in store for you. It is a funny profession (veterinary medicine). If offers an unparalleled opportunities for making a chump out of yourself.

-James Herriot

2/3 All Things Bright and Beautiful
3/3 All Things Wise and Wonderful

Pasta Book Tag!

I am still in a rut so I decided to do another book tag. This time it is a pasta book tag I got from nerdy talks.

It is about dinnertime and I am in the mood to talk about food...pasta. It's probably the easiest and fastest meal to make.

Serving now on a platter:

1. Macaroni and Cheese - The most heartfelt work you've ever read.

All of Khaled Hosseini's books. His books are just so raw and realistic. They wring your heart out until you bleed.

2. Spaghetti and Meatballs - A work you know inside and out (like you can twirl with your fork).

It would be Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I bought all the books. As I have mentioned in my previous book tag, I love mythology and these books are like my "Idiot's Guide to Greek Mythology".

3. Lasagna - A work filled with complex layers.

The Hiram Key by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas. It is an investigative study on Pharaohs, Christianity, Freemasonry and the discovery of the Secret Scrolls that talk about Jesus. The book details his crucifixion and death that would make one question if the Church has taught us the truth.

4. Stuffed Shells - A work that is attention grabbing (stuffed with goodness) from start to finish.

Sahara by Clive Cussler. This is the first book I read of Cussler and he has made me a big fan and follower ever since. Everytime I go to a bookstore, his works are the first thing I look for. His books are thrillers that has cost me a lot of sleepless nights for I can't put them down.

5. Penne Vodka - A work for a younger audience with an adult theme hidden inside.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and the Chronicles of Narnia series.  It speaks of religion and believing in an ultimate power that would conquer evil. C.S. Lewis being a theologian and a Christian apologist, his books often have religion and Christianity embedded in them.

6. Elbow Macaroni - A work that is easy to read.

All books of James Herriot. He is a British veterinary surgeon. All his works are about his calls to farms and really comic experiences of treating animals. His books are so hilarious. He has initiated me into the art of literary comedies.

7. Farfalle (Bow Ties) - A work you would read to catch someone's attention.

It would be Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson. It is a book about change management. I see it as a book on knowing when to keep fighting and when to let go and move on. To give up some endeavors which are looking to be futile and focus your energy on more productive activities. This book has taught me to let go and that I will always find something better. I need not suffer.

8. Noodles - A long work that was a great experience to read.

It would be A Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The book is so thick and there were times that I was lost. I felt like some parts were not relevant while reading them. After finishing the book, I realize the book was really good and I forgot about the parts I thought irrelevant. 

9. Lo Mein - Your favorite work of  Eastern literature or about the east.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu though the one I read was an English translation by Lionel Giles. Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who lived around 500 BC. The Art of War is famed to be the oldest military treatise in the world. His principles of warfare are also applied in business, management, sports and diplomacy.

Divide and conquer.

10. Ditalini - A writer you feel is essential to a particular genre.

 A lot would come to mind: John Grisham for novels on law and legal thrillers, Nicholas Sparks for romantic-drama fiction with melodramatic deaths and Lewis Carroll who started the genre of literary nonsense which a lot of people enjoy and is actually a psychology book.

11. Favorite Pasta - What is your favorite pasta?

My favorite pasta would be seafood or tuna pesto. It's healthy.


Wow, this was fun. I would love to do more book tags. It is a great exercise for remembering the books I read and which ones have made an impact on my life.

See you again on my next post.