James Herriot's Cat Stories

September 12, 1994
Viewers of Herriot's TV series All Creatures Great and Small will find themselves in familiar territory here. We meet Olly and Ginny, feral kittens who disdained indoor life. Frisks's ``spells'' were a puzzle until Herriot learned that the cat licked the medicine saucer of its owner, a terminal cancer patient. Oscar, an injured stray was notable for attending public meetings. Moses, a black kitten, joined a litter of pigs and was accepted by the sow. These heartwarming stories should make an ideal gift for cat lovers. Illustrations not seen by PW.

Stories culled from the works of veterinarian James Herriot show the way cats wander into people's lives, often having an unexpected impact. A few stories are humorous, such as the tale of Oscar's stops in town, while most are touching, sometimes bittersweet. Cat lovers will empathize with Herriot as he recalls how he struggled to bond with Ollie--a stray who took to his wife, Helen, but was wary of him--only to lose the cat shortly after making progress. Christopher Timothy, who played Herriot on the BBC, makes the stories his own, reading as if he were recalling his own experiences. At three hours, this short visit to the Yorkshire Dales will whet your appetite for more of Herriot's stories. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine