The third in the series, as good as the second. The veterinary stories are as usual often funny, occasionally sad; the thread seeing the successful conclusion of his courtship is mostly funny. ( )

This is the third in the James Herriot series, and just as good as all the other books in this series. In this one we have James and his Helen living in a bedsit on the top floor of the clinic. I chuckled and laughed out loud over and over again as I read about James' exploits in and around Yorkshire. As always James Herriot describes the Yorkshire dales and moors in gorgeous prose. His descriptions of the old Yorkshire farmers and their wives are so wonderfully written that it's like meeting them in real life. For anyone who loves animals, this series is a must-read for you. And I assure you that you won't get bored either. It is always a pleasure to sit back and revel in James Herriot's world. It is a wonderful escape from all the craziness in the world. In this book James has been at Darrowby for two years, and he is making a name for himself in the countryside. His love and affection for animals instils trust in the people he deals with and in his animal patients. I look forward to reading more of these little gems. ( )

More animal magic moments. ( )

Needed something light and cheerful to put me to sleep & started this last night...thankfully no nightmares followed - although I did have to read a bit further than when my eyes began to droop - the image of a sheep giving birth wasn't the right place to end the night. I watched the series many years ago and was addicted to Tristram and James and the old vet guy,Seigfreid. Reading this takes me back to less stressful times and I can still hear their voices and mannerisms while reading the dialogue.Made me wish in some ways that I didn't drop out of Zoology. The Yorkshire farmers accents make for some hilarious situations and I think animal lovers and aspiring vets will find the 1939 veterinary styles of medicine much different to today. (Most antibiotics were not invented then so many old fashioned remedies were used and (((often))) worked.) ( )

Loved that lambing got a mention so early on.

This book seems to have a different tone to the last two; can really see that James is becoming more experienced and confident.

I wasn't expecting James and Helen to get together in this book and I was really surprised with them getting married - loved Siegfried's attitude to it all though. ^_^

Siegfried is infuriating but hilarious - the way he says or does things then denies it. But then he does something sweet, like at the end, and I love him. ( )