James Herriot's Animal Stories

These warm and charming remembrances of an English country veterinarian are framed with wit and alacrity by author Herriot and reader Christopher Timothy, who played the vet on the long-running BBC series. The uncluttered audio track allows strong verbal pictures to develop, cozy and nostalgic as Christmas in Yorkshire. This storytelling is observant, revealing, and entertaining--there's no skimping on local color or even medical procedures, some of which may put off squeamish listeners. The stoic folk--thick accents and all--and quirky animals to whom Herriot ministers will be welcome visitors to your ears and mind in this ten-story collection. D.J.B. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

Reader Christopher Timothy portrayed the semi-fictional Yorkshire veterinarian James Herriot in the wonderful BBC television series "All Creatures Great and Small" and has recorded versions of Herriot's work in such productions as the abridged Every Living Thing, Parts I and II (Audio Renaissance, 1993). He's just as good a reader as he is an actor. His cultured British voice twinkles with humor and shades into heartwarming emotion as appropriate. The stories of the animal doctor's vicissitudes with a variety of animals are kind and affecting; Timothy makes the characters real and well individuated. With his crystal articulation, he is marvelous, and so is the music from the television series. Longer editions of Herriot's works are available from Chivers Audio Books, also read by Christopher Timothy. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine