James Herriot

Herriot is the author of this novel. At the time of the book, he has two years experience as a veterinary surgeon and has just been promoted to partner by his former boss Siegfried Farnon. Through his writing it is obvious that Herriot is a person who loves life and loves living. This love of life shows in the joyful and humorous tone in which Herriot tells his stories. Herriot also loves the people and animals with whom he works. While he loves these people,+ Herriot also enjoys observing people and noticing the ironies and incongruities of their behavior and the situations in which they find themselves. Herriot often uses these circumstances as material for his stories.

Although he has the necessary experience, Herriot makes it clear that he often feels helpless when trying to treat difficult cases. There are several places in the book where he...