No, really, James Herriott's books about a Scottish vet in the Yorkshire Dales are marvellous. I must admit that when I picked them up again after many years I wasn't expecting much, but they're tender, funny, and full of wonderful characters, proper stories, and joie de vivre.
My visits here were usually associated with a degree of fantasy but I was beginning to feel out of my depth.
'You mean you actually have a pig in the house?'
'But of course.' Mrs Pumphrey looked surprised. 'He's in the kitchen. Come and see him.'
...The elderly cook...was chopping carrots and hurling them into a saucepan with, I thought, unnecessary vigour.
And it's all beautifully done: just beautifully done!
Word To Use Today: fantasy. Yes, I know that fantasy is much-derided but, hey, it helps to make me a living so I'm not going to start knocking it.
The word fantasy comes from the Latin word phantasia, and before that from the Greek phantazein, to make visible.
YES!! Loved these books and glad they stand the test of time. Thanks for reminding us. Does anyone still read them now? Are they in print? I expect they must be.
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