39 pages • 1 hour read
James HerriotAll Creatures Great and Small
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1972A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot follows newly graduated veterinary student James as he starts his career in the Yorkshire Dales, working under the eccentric Siegfried Farnon, bonding with Siegfried's brother Tristan, and earning the trust of local farmers. As James adapts to his new life, he begins a challenging yet heartfelt courtship with Helen Alderson, culminating in their marriage. This narrative intertwines stories of veterinary practice with a deep appreciation for the beauty of Yorkshire and its inhabitants.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small offers heartwarming and charming vignettes of a country vet's life, delighting readers with its wit, rich storytelling, and endearing characters. However, some find the episodic structure lacking depth. Ultimately, it's a beloved classic for animal lovers and those seeking cozy, nostalgic reads.
Who Should Read All Creatures Great and Small?
A reader who would enjoy All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot likely appreciates heartwarming, humorous, and poignant tales of rural life and veterinary practice. Fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie or Jan Karon’s At Home in Mitford series would find similar charm in Herriot's memoirs.
RecommendedReading Age
12+yearsLexile Level
990L