All Things Wise And Wonderful (2004) - Plot & Excerpts
My other books in this series are much-thumbed editions, obviously read and reread until the color is rubbed off the spine-edges.This volume, though it's also used, is in better condition. It rather makes me wish Herriot had stuck to his determination not to discuss his war experiences. He clearly hated them so much that it discolored his memories, and it's not surprising that he keeps slipping away into reminiscence. If he had to discuss those years at all, I'd have preferred it if he'd dug out his letters from Tristan, who did service AS a vet, and probably had some fascinating stories to tell. Only once in this whole volume does Herriot actually get to work as a vet in the present tense--after he's grounded he's sent out as a farm laborer, and happens to be by to help with a difficult calving.At the end of the previous volume, Herriot is warned by a native Yorkshireman that if he goes to the big city he'll be forced back into taking "big steps and little 'uns". Herriot, originally a big city man, takes the warning seriously, but doesn't really realize how countrified he's become until he actually finds himself in London, taking those big steps and little 'uns in a cold, acidic fog.Any man who dedicates a book (as this one is) to his dogs must have found it a great wrench to have to leave his dog behind when he departed to his training. The dog must have resented it even more than his very pregnant wife, because she would understand, though reluctantly. The dog would just have felt unaccounably abandoned. There are a few redeeming qualities from the abusive treatment Herriot and his companions are meted out. Both places he stays as a recruit do at least have plentiful hot water. And when Herriot gets sent to Scarborborough, he finds himself put up in one of the old grand hotels (it's actually called the Grand in the book, but I don't know if that was its real name), in an area near his home and with a much more congenial climate than the London he describes. But the constant anonymous abuse he describes too often drives him to retreat into reminiscences. I don't suppose he was anymore convinced by sadistic people telling him he'd thank them for the ordeals they put him through than I've ever been. He makes an attempt to be gracious about it, but I'm not convinced. I have never in my life thanked anybody afterward for stoving in my body and mind, and I'd think the very concept risible if it weren't so destructive.Still, there are redeeming qualities, even in the present tense. The description of pilot training is one of the better descriptions I've heard, and I've heard a few, including some from relatives. It rather makes me wonder if Herriot didn't take up flying as a hobby, though he never mentions it. The description of Herriot's experience of couvade (sympathy pregnancy, which he experienced with both his children), his description of his shock at seeing the newborn Jimmy (farm animal babies are normally more developed at birth)...all these make for good reading. And of course the nostalgic stories of events before the war (especially the flatulent dog) are as fun as his other books. I think some of the stories were issued as stand-alone books--I'll try looking for them and adding them. It's a pity the good stories are too often reduced to compensatory souvenirs for a perennially homesick man.When I get to this volume in reading through the series, I'm tempted to hold my breath and rush through. But that would be a shame, and fortunately there's enough good stuff to slow down and savor. Likely this volume will remain unthumbed, however. There's just too much gristle and not enough meat. Minor trivia note for those who are coordinating the books with the tv show: the story of Roddy the the tramping laborer is near the end of this book. In the tv series, the character is played by Patrick Troughton, the 2nd Doctor from Doctor Who. If I hadn't seen it in the credits, I wouldn't have known it--he's unrecognizable. The mark of s VERY good actor, I'd say.
Reading a James Herriot book is a singular experience. I often want to savor the experience and read slowly, but I find myself flying through his books--completely caught up in the magic of his stories and prose. "All Things Wise and Wonderful" is the third Herriot book I have read (as the third volume in the All Creatures Great and Small series) and it has found a beloved place in my heart right alongside the first two books. While many of the things I have come to adore about James Herriot books are most definitely on display in this work (the humor, the animals, the quiet and patient love for life, beauty and nature) I found this book to be an overall sadder and more melancholy experience than the first two. Jim left to join the RAF at the end of All Things Bright and Beautiful and he spends this book away from his home and his wife and going through the rigorous training of the program. World War II is on and the world is changing around him. And yet, Yorkshire remains an idyllic haven in his mind and he reflects back upon his patients and the people of the county. He also thinks constantly of his wife Helen, who is very pregnant at the beginning of the book.As always, I love to read about Yorkshire and the quirky inhabitants of the region. Jim's partner Siegfried Farnon and his party-animal brother Tristan are particular highlights in this novel and both remain uproariously funny and a joy to read about. Siegfried's good-hearted hypocrisy never fails to crack me up and Tristan gets into some interesting blunders, while always maintaining his casual grace and swagger. I also found myself surprisingly interested in Jim's stories about his life in the RAF. I learned about the era and he had the same heartfelt and humorous eye for detail with these stories as he does with his animal stories.But of course, the animal stories were still my favorite. This particular volume had some real tear-jerkers among the stories which when combined with Herriot's homesickness and the cloud of World War II was what gave the book that sad tinge. However, even the sad stories seem to confirm the wonder of life and I often found myself smiling through my tears. I was happy to see that this novel features many, many great dog and cat stories (my favorites). I love both dogs and cats with all my heart (and I'll never understand why we must constantly be asked to pick between them) and we got tons of excellent canine and feline characters throughout All Things Wise and Wonderful. My particular favorite story of the bunch was about Oscar the cat, one of the very last stories in this book, but I loved them all. Once again, my own dear cat Cammy kept me company as a I read.I have just two Herriot books left to read (The Lord God Made Them All and Every Living Thing) but I know I'll adore them. This man is an amazing storyteller and an incredible celebrant of life. These books are wonderful and I mean that quite literally. They fill me with wonder.
What do You think about All Things Wise And Wonderful (2004)?
This edition of James Herriot's memoirs sees him being drafted into the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force to play his part during World War II, leaving behind his veterinary practice and his wife (now expecting young Jimmy). Although he never sees combat, his description of military training gives an inside view to the training process for pilots in the war, interspersed with plentiful reminiscences of his veterinary practice back in Darrowby. Throughout this story is a sweet marital love, which colors his every experience, and the warm, wry wit that characterizes his writing is just as splendid as ever.As in his other books, there are a few examples of coarse language, and there is one scene with a friend engaged in amorous embrace on a sofa (soon to be broken up spectacularly). But in general, the book is refreshingly wholesome, although occasionally gross, given the duties of a country veterinarian. Its language is somewhat advanced, and it may be best enjoyed by older teenagers.
—Shanna Gonzalez
this is actually a re-read for me; I have the rating on it from what I remember from years ago. am roughly 1/3 of the way through now and will be sure to write something. headline: good for dipping but i'm reading straight through
—Sue
Shit gets real this time around, all too real. I was not thrilled with the start of All Things Wise and Wonderful, because from the get-go we learn that James Herriot is going to be writing about his wartime experiences. Frankly, I wanted more of the same - warm and fuzzy stories with a bit of low-tension drama about life as a country vet in the north of England as dished out in the first two books of this series. Vet/writer Alf Wight, aka James HerriotHowever, instead of going fully into war stories, which would've been fine I suppose, what we get are remembrances of past vet calls mixed in with brief and mostly unsatisfactory tales of training for the Royal Air Force. The vet stories are told as flashbacks, which takes some of the steam out of them, while the RAF stories never really get off the ground.Just the same, if you've read and enjoyed Herriot's work up to this point, don't let my complainy-pants squawking deter you from diving headlong into All Things Wise and Wonderful. You'll find plenty of enjoyment in the tales Herriot doles out for this volume. Warning though, the overall tone is more somber in this book compared with the first two. I guess that can't be helped, what with WWII being a focal point. But I must say I was blindsided by the story that ended (view spoiler)[in suicide (hide spoiler)]
—Jason Koivu
