I’m going to cheat a little. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot would be my choice, but I love all four in the “All Creatures” series.
The story begins with the author’s arrival in Yorkshire during the Depression when veterinary jobs were scarce. A city boy, James has to quickly learn how to care for horses and cows in very primitive conditions.
He soon learns to love the beauty of the Dales and his eccentric clients. His tales of caring for beloved pets as well as farm animals can be heartwrenching as the patient doesn’t always survive.
There is plenty of humor in his hilarious descriptions of the Yorkshire dialect, way of life, and diet, as well as his volatile boss Siegfried and Siegfried’s irresponsible yet charming brother Tristan.
Not only are the books laugh-out-loud funny but you come to know the village of Darrowby, James, Siegfried and Tristan so well that you never want to leave the little world that Herriot has created.
I loved these books, too. Have you seen the beautiful children’s books, illustrated by Peter Barrett, which features some of his stories — such as Moses the Kitten and Only One Woof? Also, the BBC produced a very entertaining TV series.
Loved these books, loved the show on PBS. In fact, when we visited England we made a special effort to visit the Yorkshire Dales and drove through many of the villages and countryside that Herriot described. It was absolutely beautiful.
I loved these as well. What a good idea to reread them!