This study examines James Herriot's five major books as
carefully crafted volumes of autobiography based on the building
block of the short story. In each of these works Herriot explores
the fundamental choice of values underlying a happy and successful
life. In his vision the bonds of affection and mutual dependence
between all creatures, human and animal, form an enduring theme
that lies at the heart of the choices he makes in his personal and
professional life. This study will help the reader to understand
the relationship between Herriot's stories and each book as a whole
and to appreciate Herriot's work in the context of
twentieth-century anxieties about identity and meaning.
Following a biographical chapter that describes the relationship
between Herriot's life and literary work, Rossi discusses the genre
of autobiography, the relationship between truth and fiction in
modern autobiography, and Herriot's use of the genre. A separate
chapter is then devoted to each of Herriot's works in turn: "All
Creatures Great and Small," "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "All
Things Wise and Wonderful," "The Lord God Made Them All," and
DEGREES"Every Living Thing." The discussion of each work includes
sections on plot development and narrative structure, character
development, thematic issues, and alternative critical approaches
that may be fruitfully applied to the book. Helpful appendices
contain identifications of minor characters in the works. A
complete bibliography of all of James Herriot's works, critical
sources, and a listing of reviews of all of his works completes the
volume. Because of the popularity of Herriot's work among adults
and young adults this companion will be a key purchase for school
and public libraries.
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