All Creatures Great and Small

All Creatures Great and Small Plot Summary

Introduction

In the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales, amid the harsh beauty of the English countryside, James Herriot established himself as one of the most beloved veterinarians and storytellers of the twentieth century. Born James Alfred Wight in 1916, he adopted the pen name James Herriot when he began chronicling his experiences as a country vet in post-war Britain. His journey from an inexperienced young graduate to a respected healer in a close-knit rural community captures not just the art of veterinary medicine but the very essence of humanity's relationship with animals and the land. Through his eyes, readers glimpse a vanishing way of life in the Yorkshire countryside, where farmers battled the elements with stoic determination and where the welfare of their animals often meant the difference between prosperity and ruin. What distinguishes Herriot's legacy is not merely his veterinary expertise but his profound empathy and humor in the face of adversity. His stories reveal a man who approached each case with equal parts scientific knowledge and compassionate understanding, whether treating a prize bull or a beloved family pet. From his narratives emerge timeless insights about resilience, the dignity of honest work, and the deep bonds that can form between humans and animals. As modern veterinary practice has evolved with technology and specialization, Herriot's approach reminds us of the enduring importance of the personal touch - the gentle hand and kind word that can comfort both animal and owner in moments of distress. His life demonstrates how dedication to a calling, combined with genuine warmth and humility, can transform ordinary daily work into something truly extraordinary.

Chapter 1: Early Struggles and Arrival in Yorkshire

James Herriot's journey to the Yorkshire Dales began far from the rolling hills and stone-walled fields that would later define his life. Born James Alfred Wight in Sunderland in 1916, he grew up in Glasgow where his father worked as an orchestral musician. Despite his urban upbringing, young Alf (as he was known to family and friends) developed an early fascination with animals that would shape his future. After years of determined study at Glasgow Veterinary College, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon in 1939 - a time when jobs were scarce and the shadow of war loomed over Europe. The newly qualified veterinarian faced immediate challenges in establishing his career. The economic depression had hit rural areas particularly hard, and positions for inexperienced veterinarians were few and far between. After a brief, unsuccessful stint in a Sunderland practice, Herriot received an unexpected opportunity - an interview for an assistant position in the market town of Darrowby (the fictional name he would later give to Thirsk) in the Yorkshire Dales. With few other prospects, he made the journey south with limited expectations but desperate hope. His first impressions of Yorkshire challenged his preconceptions. Rather than the industrial landscape he had imagined, he discovered breathtaking beauty - high, grassy hills and wide valleys, with rivers twisting among trees and solid grey-stone farmhouses nestled in islands of cultivated land. The stone walls traced their patterns high on the green uplands, creating a tapestry of rural life that immediately captivated him. This landscape, so different from his urban upbringing, would become not just the backdrop for his career but a character in its own right in his later writings. The interview with his potential employer, Siegfried Farnon (based on the real-life Donald Sinclair), proved as unpredictable as the man himself. Arriving at Skeldale House, Herriot discovered Farnon had forgotten their appointment entirely. When they finally met, Herriot encountered not the stern senior veterinarian he had expected but an energetic, eccentric man whose brilliant veterinary mind was matched only by his chaotic approach to business and life. Despite this inauspicious beginning, Farnon offered him the position, and Herriot, with few alternatives, gratefully accepted. His early days in practice tested both his veterinary knowledge and his personal resilience. The local farmers, skeptical of the young "townie" with his Glasgow accent, deliberately called him to their most difficult cases, watching with critical eyes as he struggled with calvings, lameness, and mysterious ailments. The physical demands were immense - trudging through snow to reach remote farms, working in primitive conditions without electricity or running water, and facing the danger of unpredictable animals. These challenges were compounded by wartime restrictions, including petrol rationing and blackout regulations that made night calls particularly hazardous. Despite these difficulties, Herriot gradually found his footing in Yorkshire. His willingness to admit when he was stumped, his genuine concern for the animals in his care, and his respect for the farmers' own knowledge slowly earned him acceptance. As he adapted to country life and developed his practical skills, what had begun as a temporary position out of necessity evolved into a deep attachment to the place and its people. The Yorkshire Dales, initially so foreign to the city-raised Scotsman, was becoming home - a transformation that would shape the remainder of his personal and professional life.

Chapter 2: Building Trust in the Farming Community

The Yorkshire farmers Herriot encountered were not easily impressed. Stoic, practical men who had learned animal husbandry through generations of experience, they viewed the young veterinarian with initial skepticism. "Where's Mr. Farnon?" was a common question when Herriot arrived at farms, their faces falling when they realized the practice had sent the inexperienced newcomer instead of the established veterinarian. This skepticism was particularly challenging because farming in the Dales was not merely an occupation but a way of life passed down through generations, with each family's animals representing both their livelihood and their heritage. Herriot quickly learned that academic knowledge alone would not win their confidence. The farmers judged him not by his qualifications but by his results and, equally importantly, by his manner. They watched carefully as he removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, noting whether he showed genuine interest in their animals and respect for their own observations. His willingness to listen to their descriptions of symptoms and to acknowledge their expertise in their own livestock gradually began to break down barriers. When he successfully handled cases that others had failed to resolve, word spread quickly through the tight-knit farming community. The physical demands of farm work provided unexpected opportunities to demonstrate his commitment. Farmers who saw him knee-deep in mud during a difficult calving, or working through the night to save a valuable animal, recognized a dedication that transcended professional obligation. The post-treatment ritual of farmhouse tea became an important social connection, with these moments in steamy kitchens often revealing more about the farmers' lives and concerns than the clinical interactions in the barn. Herriot came to treasure these glimpses into rural life, absorbing the wisdom, dialect, and humor of the Yorkshire people over countless cups of strong tea and slices of homemade cake. Economic realities shaped every aspect of these relationships. During the difficult years of the 1940s and early 1950s, many farmers operated on razor-thin margins, making them reluctant to call the veterinarian except in dire emergencies. Herriot became acutely aware that his diagnoses and treatment recommendations carried financial implications that could affect a family's survival. This understanding led him to develop practical, cost-effective approaches rather than pursuing theoretical ideals. The farmers appreciated his awareness of their economic constraints and his honesty about when expensive treatments were truly necessary versus when simpler solutions might suffice. Some of Herriot's most meaningful connections formed with the hill farmers who worked the highest, most remote areas of the Dales. These families, often living in conditions of genuine hardship, displayed a resilience and connection to the land that he found deeply moving. Their animals were not just economic assets but partners in survival. The mutual respect that developed between the veterinarian and these farming families transcended professional boundaries, creating friendships that would last a lifetime. When these taciturn men finally began to greet him with "Now then, young Herriot" instead of asking for Farnon, he knew he had truly been accepted. Through these relationships, Herriot achieved more than professional success - he gained a sense of belonging that transformed his relationship with Yorkshire. The seasonal rhythms of farming - spring calvings, summer grazing, autumn harvests, and winter feeding - structured his professional life and connected him deeply to the natural world. The Dales ceased to be merely his workplace and became his home, with its landscape, people, and traditions woven into the fabric of his identity. This integration into the rural community, with all its characters, customs, and challenges, completed the transformation of the city-raised veterinarian into a true countryman who could no longer imagine living anywhere else.

Chapter 3: Veterinary Challenges in Rural Practice

The veterinary medicine Herriot practiced in the 1940s and 1950s bore little resemblance to modern techniques. Without antibiotics (which were just becoming available), advanced diagnostics, or sophisticated surgical equipment, he relied heavily on clinical observation, physical examination, and remedies that had changed little in decades. Treatments often involved concoctions mixed by hand in the surgery, and success frequently depended on the practitioner's intuition as much as scientific knowledge. A typical day might begin with early morning surgery hours, continue with farm calls scattered across miles of countryside, and conclude with emergency cases late into the night. The physical environment presented constant challenges. Winter calls often meant trudging through snowdrifts to reach remote farms, or navigating treacherous icy roads in an unreliable car. Summer brought marathon days of tuberculin testing, moving from farm to farm under the hot sun. The work itself was physically demanding - wrestling with large animals, performing surgeries in makeshift conditions, and enduring long hours with little rest. Herriot often found himself kicked, trampled, and sprayed with every kind of animal waste imaginable. In the suffocating heat of barns and byres, he struggled with difficult calvings, sometimes spending hours with his arm inside a cow trying to deliver a calf. These conditions required Herriot to develop exceptional observational skills and practical ingenuity. Without laboratory tests or imaging equipment, diagnosis depended on careful physical examination and astute interpretation of symptoms. He became adept at improvising equipment, adapting techniques to farm conditions, and making difficult decisions with limited information. The standing castration of yearling colts, for example, filled him with apprehension. While the new method was quicker than the traditional approach of casting and tying the animal, it carried increased risks for the operator. Herriot, by his own admission, was not a natural horseman, lacking that innate ability to soothe and mentally dominate horses that seemed to come naturally to others. Financial challenges affected both Herriot and his clients. Many farmers operated on razor-thin margins, making them reluctant to call the veterinarian except in dire emergencies. The practice's notorious "bad payers" created cash flow problems that sometimes made it difficult to meet expenses. Herriot often found himself caught between his desire to provide the best possible care and the economic realities facing his clients. He learned to tailor his approaches to what was practical and affordable, sometimes offering simpler treatments than he might have preferred from a purely medical standpoint. Despite these challenges, Herriot experienced profound professional triumphs that sustained his commitment to rural practice. The treatment of milk fever in cows provided some of his most dramatic victories. The spectacular effects of intravenous calcium never ceased to thrill him - when cows got up within an hour, he felt like a successful conjurer. Successfully delivering a difficult calving in the middle of the night, saving a valuable horse from colic, or diagnosing an obscure condition that had baffled others - these victories provided immense satisfaction. Perhaps most rewarding were the cases where his intervention saved not just an animal but a family's livelihood. The practice evolved significantly during Herriot's career, reflecting broader changes in veterinary medicine and agriculture. The introduction of antibiotics revolutionized treatment options. Tuberculosis eradication programs changed the nature of routine work. The gradual shift from working horses to tractors altered the practice's focus. Small animal work, initially a minor aspect of the practice, grew steadily in importance as pets became increasingly valued members of households. Through these transitions, Herriot maintained his commitment to serving all animals with equal dedication, whether a farmer's valuable livestock or a child's beloved pet.

Chapter 4: Compassion for All Creatures Great and Small

What distinguished Herriot's approach to veterinary medicine was his profound empathy for animals of all kinds. Unlike some practitioners who viewed farm animals purely as economic units, Herriot recognized the sentience and dignity of every creature he treated. This compassion extended equally to valuable livestock worth hundreds of pounds and to the humblest household pet. He understood that each animal, regardless of its monetary value, was capable of suffering and deserving of care. This perspective was revolutionary in an era when farm animals were typically viewed through a strictly utilitarian lens, and even companion animals were often treated with less consideration than they receive today. His gentle handling of animals revealed this compassionate approach in practice. Whether calming a frightened horse, soothing an injured dog, or approaching a nervous cow, Herriot developed techniques that minimized stress and built trust. He recognized that successful treatment often depended as much on gaining an animal's confidence as on administering the right medicine. Farmers noted his "good hands" - that indefinable quality that allowed him to approach and handle even difficult animals with a reassuring touch. This skill wasn't merely technical but reflected a deeper understanding of animal psychology and a genuine concern for their wellbeing. The emotional bond between people and their animals became increasingly apparent to Herriot through his small animal practice. While farm animals represented livelihoods, pets embodied companionship, love, and sometimes the only comfort in difficult lives. Mrs. Pumphrey and her Pekingese Tricki Woo exemplified the sometimes comical extreme of pet devotion. The wealthy widow treated her dog as a surrogate child, indulging him with elaborate meals and clothing while attributing to him human-like thoughts and feelings. What might have been merely amusing became touching when Herriot observed the genuine love and companionship the little dog provided to his elderly owner. More poignant were the cases involving elderly owners and their aging pets. Herriot came to recognize that in many instances, he was treating not just the animal but the human-animal bond itself. When he extended the comfortable life of an arthritic old dog, he was also preserving the daily walks that gave purpose to a retired farmer, or the companionship that brightened a widow's lonely evenings. The most difficult decisions often involved balancing an animal's suffering against an owner's emotional attachment. Herriot developed a compassionate approach to euthanasia, recognizing it sometimes as the final act of kindness while acknowledging the profound grief it caused loving owners. This compassion extended to wild creatures as well. Though not formally part of his practice, Herriot often found himself treating injured wildlife brought to him by concerned locals - foxes caught in traps, birds with broken wings, or hedgehogs injured on roads. These cases paid no fees but satisfied his fundamental desire to alleviate suffering wherever he encountered it. His appreciation for the natural world and its inhabitants reflected a holistic understanding of veterinary medicine as serving not just domestic animals but the broader ecosystem. Perhaps most remarkable was Herriot's ability to maintain this compassionate approach despite the physical and emotional demands of his practice. The long hours, difficult conditions, and inevitable failures might have hardened a less sensitive practitioner or led to professional burnout. Yet Herriot's deep connection with animals and genuine concern for their welfare provided a wellspring of motivation that sustained him through the challenges. His compassion wasn't just a professional stance but a core element of his character that informed every aspect of his veterinary work and his later writing. This humane approach to animal care, revolutionary in its time, continues to inspire veterinarians and animal lovers worldwide.

Chapter 5: Finding Balance Between Profession and Family

The demands of rural veterinary practice created perpetual tension between Herriot's professional obligations and his family life. Emergency calls could come at any hour, disrupting family meals, interrupting rare leisure time, and even cutting short holiday plans. The unpredictable nature of animal illness meant that no personal commitment was ever entirely secure. Herriot frequently found himself torn between his duty to suffering animals and his desire to be present for family milestones and everyday moments with Helen and their children, Jimmy and Rosie. His marriage to Helen Alderson (based on his real wife Joan) provided the foundation for navigating these challenges. Their courtship had unfolded against the backdrop of wartime Britain, adding both urgency and uncertainty to their developing relationship. Helen's understanding of farm life and animals meant she could appreciate Herriot's work in a way a city-bred woman might not have. Her practical nature complemented his sometimes anxious temperament. When they married, Helen knew exactly what she was committing to - a life shaped by the unpredictable rhythms of veterinary emergencies and the constant presence of the practice in their home. The physical location of their home within the practice premises at Skeldale House both eased and complicated this balancing act. Living above the surgery meant Herriot could be quickly available for emergencies and could sometimes snatch brief moments with his family between calls. However, it also meant that work was ever-present, with the telephone a constant reminder of professional demands. The boundaries between work and home life were permeable at best, with clients sometimes appearing at the door during family celebrations or late in the evening with minor concerns that could have waited until morning. Helen's role in maintaining this delicate balance cannot be overstated. Her understanding of the importance of Herriot's work and her willingness to adapt family routines around professional emergencies created stability within the unpredictability. She managed the household largely independently, making decisions and handling problems during Herriot's frequent absences. When he missed Christmas dinners or children's performances due to emergency calls, she mitigated disappointment and preserved family harmony. Her capacity to run the household while also assisting with practice matters demonstrated remarkable resilience and organizational skill. As their children grew, Herriot worked to carve out protected family time despite his demanding schedule. Sunday afternoons became sacred when possible, with family drives into the countryside or walks on the moors. He made efforts to attend school events and to create special moments with Jimmy and Rosie individually. These efforts were not always successful - the needs of animals and their owners frequently intervened - but they reflected his commitment to being more than just a provider for his family. His determination to be present as a father, despite professional pressures, revealed the depth of his family values. The financial aspects of practice ownership added another layer of complexity to Herriot's work-life balance. The responsibility of meeting payroll, maintaining premises, and ensuring the practice remained viable created stress that inevitably affected family life. Unpaid client bills, equipment expenses, and the costs of keeping the practice current with veterinary advances all weighed on him. These financial pressures sometimes necessitated taking on additional work when he might otherwise have spent time with his family, creating a cycle that was difficult to break. Despite these challenges, the Herriots created a warm, loving home where professional dedication and family commitment coexisted, if not always in perfect balance, then in a workable harmony that sustained them through decades of marriage and practice.

Chapter 6: Capturing Rural Life Through Storytelling

For the first two decades of his veterinary career, James Herriot focused entirely on his practice, with no thought of becoming a writer. It wasn't until his early fifties, during quiet evenings after his children had grown, that he began to consider capturing his experiences on paper. This late start to his literary career proved advantageous - he had accumulated a wealth of stories, characters, and insights from years of immersion in rural Yorkshire life. When he finally began writing in the late 1960s, he drew on this rich reservoir of material, creating vivid portraits of the animals, people, and landscapes that had shaped his professional life. Herriot's approach to storytelling was as unpretentious as the man himself. He wrote with remarkable clarity and warmth, avoiding literary flourishes in favor of direct, honest prose that captured the essence of his experiences. His narrative voice reflected his personality - modest, observant, and gently humorous, with a talent for finding the extraordinary within ordinary daily events. Rather than presenting himself as an infallible expert, he readily shared his mistakes and embarrassments, creating a narrator readers could relate to and root for. This self-deprecating honesty became a hallmark of his writing style and contributed significantly to his works' enduring appeal. The Yorkshire Dales itself emerged as a central character in Herriot's stories. He captured the region's dramatic beauty in all seasons - the sweep of snow-covered hills in winter, the explosion of wildflowers in spring, the golden light of summer evenings, and the rich colors of autumn. His descriptions conveyed not just the visual splendor but the sensory experience of country life - the smell of hay barns and cattle byres, the sound of curlews calling over the moors, the feel of icy wind cutting across the high fells. Through these evocative passages, readers around the world came to know and love a landscape many would never see in person. The farmers and villagers Herriot encountered provided a gallery of unforgettable characters. He portrayed them with affection and respect, capturing their distinctive Yorkshire dialect, their stoicism in the face of hardship, and their often understated humor. From eccentric Mrs. Pumphrey with her pampered Pekingese to taciturn hill farmers who expressed themselves in monosyllables, Herriot created portraits that were both specific to Yorkshire and universally recognizable. His talent lay in revealing the dignity and humanity of ordinary people going about their daily lives, finding heroism in their quiet perseverance rather than in dramatic gestures. Humor played a central role in Herriot's storytelling, transforming potentially discouraging situations into memorable anecdotes. The physical comedy inherent in large animal work - being dragged through mud by reluctant patients, unceremoniously knocked down by frisky calves, or finding himself in undignified positions during difficult examinations - provided endless material. The Yorkshire farmers themselves contributed a distinctive brand of dry wit that Herriot came to appreciate and emulate. This humor wasn't merely entertaining - it served as a coping mechanism for people whose livelihoods were constantly at the mercy of unpredictable animals, weather, and economic forces. When his first book was published in 1970, Herriot was astonished by its success. What began as a modest collection of veterinary anecdotes quickly grew into an international publishing phenomenon. Readers responded to the authenticity of his voice and the window he provided into a vanishing rural way of life. Through his stories, he preserved not just his personal experiences but a cultural heritage that was rapidly disappearing in the face of agricultural modernization. This unexpected literary career gave Herriot a second vocation as a chronicler of country life, allowing him to share the wisdom and beauty he had discovered in his adopted Yorkshire home with millions of readers worldwide.

Chapter 7: Legacy of Wisdom from Country Practice

James Herriot's enduring legacy extends far beyond his contributions to veterinary medicine. His approach to animal care - combining scientific knowledge with profound empathy - influenced generations of veterinarians who sought to emulate not just his technical skills but his compassionate bedside manner. Long before animal welfare became a mainstream concern, Herriot demonstrated deep respect for the dignity and worth of all creatures, from valuable livestock to the humblest household pet. His practice embodied the principle that good veterinary care addresses not just the physical ailment but the emotional needs of both animal and owner. Through his writings, Herriot preserved a vanishing way of rural life during a period of rapid agricultural transformation. The Yorkshire Dales he depicted - with its traditional farming methods, close-knit communities, and deep connection to the land - was already changing when he began to document it. The small, mixed farms with their handful of cows, sheep, and pigs were giving way to larger, more specialized operations. The characters he immortalized - the tough hill farmers, eccentric village personalities, and wise country folk - represented a disappearing culture. By capturing their dialect, customs, and philosophy, he created a valuable social history that might otherwise have been lost. Herriot's stories reveal profound wisdom gleaned from country life and veterinary practice. He observed how the Dales farmers, through necessity, developed resilience and pragmatism that urban dwellers often lacked. Their stoic acceptance of nature's cycles - birth, death, success, and failure - offered a counterpoint to modern anxiety about controlling every aspect of life. The farmers' intimate knowledge of their animals and land demonstrated the value of observation and experience over theoretical knowledge alone. These insights, woven through Herriot's experiences, provide timeless lessons about accepting life's limitations while still working diligently to improve what can be changed. The relationship between humans and animals forms a central theme in Herriot's legacy. He witnessed firsthand the deep bonds that formed between farmers and their working animals, as well as the special connection between people and their pets. These relationships, he discovered, were not one-sided but mutual exchanges of loyalty, trust, and affection. In an era increasingly characterized by technological mediation and virtual experiences, Herriot's observations remind us of the fundamental importance of our connection to other living beings. His stories illustrate how these relationships enrich human lives, providing not just practical benefits but emotional fulfillment and moral growth. Herriot's professional philosophy offers wisdom that transcends veterinary practice. He demonstrated that technical expertise achieves its highest purpose when combined with genuine care and respect for those being served. His willingness to admit limitations, to learn from mistakes, and to approach each case with fresh eyes prevented the complacency that sometimes accompanies experience. Throughout his career, he maintained the humility to recognize that knowledge is always incomplete and that every animal and situation presents unique challenges. This openness to continuous learning, coupled with deep commitment to service, provides a model of professional ethics applicable across many fields. Perhaps most significantly, Herriot's life and work celebrate the extraordinary within the ordinary. He found meaning and purpose in the daily routine of a country veterinarian - the midnight calvings, the challenging diagnoses, the relationships with clients and their animals. Rather than seeking fame or prestige, he devoted himself to serving his local community with excellence and compassion. The satisfaction he derived from this seemingly modest career reminds us that meaningful work, done with integrity and care, creates a life of genuine fulfillment regardless of public recognition or financial reward. This may be his most valuable legacy in an age often fixated on celebrity and external validation - the demonstration that a life well-lived requires neither wealth nor fame, but purpose, connection, and appreciation for the world's everyday wonders.

Summary

James Herriot's life embodies the profound truth that ordinary work, performed with extraordinary compassion and dedication, can transform not only individual lives but entire communities. Through his veterinary practice in the Yorkshire Dales, he demonstrated that technical skill achieves its highest purpose when combined with genuine empathy and respect for both animals and their human companions. His journey from uncertain beginner to trusted healer parallels his transformation from city-raised outsider to beloved country figure - transitions made possible by his humility, perseverance, and willingness to learn from both successes and failures. The wisdom Herriot gathered from his experiences offers valuable guidance for contemporary life. His approach reminds us to balance professional ambition with personal relationships, to find joy in simple pleasures rather than constant acquisition, and to approach challenges with humor and resilience. His deep appreciation for the natural world and rural traditions provides a counterpoint to our increasingly digital, urban existence. For those feeling disconnected from nature or community, Herriot's life suggests a path forward through meaningful work, genuine connection with others, and attentive presence to the world around us. His legacy continues to inspire not just veterinarians but anyone seeking to live with purpose, compassion, and appreciation for the extraordinary dimensions of ordinary life.

About Author

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James Herriot

James Herriot is the pen name of James Alfred Wight, OBE, FRCVS also known as Alf Wight, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. Wight is best known for his semi-autobiographical stories, often referred to collectively as All Creatures Great and Small, a title used in some editions and in film and television adaptations.In 1939, at the age of 23, he qualified as a veterinary surgeon with Glasgow Veterinary College. In January 1940, he took a brief job at a veterinary practice in Sunderland, but moved in July to work in a rural practice based in the town of Thirsk, Yorkshire, close to the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, where he was to remain for the rest of his life. The original practice is now a museum, "The World of James Herriot".Wight intended for years to write a book, but with most of his time consumed by veterinary practice and family, his writing ambition went nowhere. Challenged by his wife, in 1966 (at the age of 50), he began writing. In 1969 Wight wrote If Only They Could Talk, the first of the now-famous series based on his life working as a vet and his training in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Owing in part to professional etiquette which at that time frowned on veterinary surgeons and other professionals from advertising their services, he took a pen name, choosing "James Herriot". If Only They Could Talk was published in the United Kingdom in 1970 by Michael Joseph Ltd, but sales were slow until Thomas McCormack, of St. Martin's Press in New York City, received a copy and arranged to have the first two books published as a single volume in the United States. The resulting book, titled All Creatures Great and Small, was an overnight success, spawning numerous sequels, movies, and a successful television adaptation.In his books, Wight calls the town where he lives and works Darrowby, which he based largely on the towns of Thirsk and Sowerby. He also renamed Donald Sinclair and his brother Brian Sinclair as Siegfried and Tristan Farnon, respectively. Wight's books are only partially autobiographical. Many of the stories are only loosely based on real events or people, and thus can be considered primarily fiction.The Herriot books are often described as "animal stories" (Wight himself was known to refer to them as his "little cat-and-dog stories"), and given that they are about the life of a country veterinarian, animals certainly play a significant role in most of the stories. Yet animals play a lesser, sometimes even a negligible role in many of Wight's tales: the overall theme of his stories is Yorkshire country life, with its people and their animals primary elements that provide its distinct character. Further, it is Wight's shrewd observations of persons, animals, and their close inter-relationship, which give his writing much of its savour. Wight was just as interested in their owners as he was in his patients, and his writing is, at root, an amiable but keen comment on the human condition. The Yorkshire animals provide the element of pain and drama; the role of their owners is to feel and express joy, sadness, sometimes triumph. The animal characters also prevent Wight's stories from becoming twee or melodramatic — animals, unlike some humans, do not pretend to be ailing, nor have they imaginary complaints and needless fears. Their ill-health is real, not the result of flaws in their character which they avoid mending. In an age of social uncertainties, when there seem to be no remedies for anything, Wight's stories of resolute grappling with mysterious bacterial foes or severe injuries have an almost heroic quality, giving the reader a sense of assurance, even hope. Best of all, James Herriot has an abundant humour about himself and his difficulties. He never feels superior to any living thing, and is ever eager to learn — about animal doctoring, and about his fellow human creature.http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesh...

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