Pant-wetting stuff! (Submitted 22 Jan 2008)

Rating:

Reviewer: Joy Barnes

This book had me laughing out loud on trains, in addition to being a unique and insightful chronicle of a lost era. One in a million, highly recommended.

Top Amazon Review

Did we read the same book?. I have to say that I was astonished to read the positive reviews of this tome. From the first sentence "In early December in the Year of our Lord 1966..." (which a good sub-editor had changed to "In early December 1966.." for the jacket blurb) to the second last sentence I found the writing heavy, unsympathetic and humourless. For a man writing an adventureous autobiography he writes a good textbook. James Heriot builds characters in a few sentences - characters you care about - Mr Cran does not. And, why is everyone so imperfect? He hardly has a good word to say about anybody! Despite that, it is worth reading for the descriptions of the area and the times; just make sure that you skip the interminable descriptions of operations - unless you are a student vet.

Customer Review 1

Definitely one to get your nose into.... A fantastically witty and rivetting read that will delight a whole range of audiences..highly recommended!

Customer Review 2

Book of the Year . Literary, laugh a minute page-turner about Kenya's eccentrics, as seen though the eyes of their vet. The book is a panoply of exquisite observations, wittily expressed and with a modesty that belies the author's remarkable veterinary and personal accomplishments. Featuring virtually every creature from the camel to the chameleon, against the rich and often outrageous backdrop of a veritable Bayeux Tapestry of owners, this is a startlingly unique and highly valuable addition to each of the genres into which it so easily fits. It will be read for years to come - and would especially lend itself to being read aloud.

Customer Review 3

HUGH CRAN. IF YOU ONLY BUY ONE BOOK THIS YEAR MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THIS ONE