In memory of James Alfred Wight (and farty boxers)
By Gina Spadafori
July 8, 2007
Quick! By what name is he better known?
Know it? If you don’t, don’t feel bad: Most people don’t. James Alfred Wight was the real name of the veterinarian who wrote under the name of James Herriot.
In this morning’s Chicago Tribune, Lisa Anderson writes:
[I]t is unlikely many Americans ever would have heard of Wight — and even more unlikely that I ever would have met him — had it not been for Alfred Ames. A retired Chicago Tribune editorial writer and book reviewer, Ames is the man who discovered James Herriot in the U.S., the man whose rave 1972 review thrust the obscure veterinarian into the literary limelight and to whom Wight steadfastly credited his great success.
What’s your favorite Herriot story? Mine’s the one about the rich woman who despairs over her farty boxer. The dog finally goes to live with the groundskeeper — who has no sense of smell.
Having grown up with farty boxers, I always appreciated that story most.
Gina, there’s an extra http// in the link. I would re-link, but I’m not registered yet :)
Comment by straybaby — July 8, 2007 @ 7:15 am
I enjoyed James Herriot stories so much!
Can’t remember which one I liked best, though, but I know I enjoyed them all.
Comment by Evelyn — July 8, 2007 @ 7:57 am
Just ONE? You want us to choose just ONE? Impossible! The man was a modern day Mark Twain, ten-fold. His books are timeless and not a year goes by that I don’t gift someone with one of his treasures.
Comment by Lynn — July 8, 2007 @ 8:04 am
Link fixed. :)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 8, 2007 @ 8:12 am
I’m probably influenced by the TV series but I have two favorites: The rich lady with the dog that would go flop-bottom and Tristin practically demolishing a home trying to catch an uncooperative cat.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — July 8, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Tricky Woo. To this day, I cannot see a Pekingese without thinking of that character and his devoted owner…the old dear who took in the stray with mange in a later story.
And Herriott’s story about sampling a farmer’s wide array of homemade wines. Great stuff - the story, that is, not the wine. :)
Comment by Laura — July 8, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I am reminded of another great animal story teller, Cleveland Amory. I loved his work, especially “The Cat Who Came for Christmas”.
He rescued so many animals in his lifetime, also.
Comment by Evelyn — July 8, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
My favorite was “Mrs. Donovan,” in which an elderly lady plays a crucial role in saving the life of a young Golden Retriever.
Susan
Comment by Susan — July 9, 2007 @ 7:28 am
And the poor man is turning over in his grave at this very moment in torment at the shame brought to a profession he loved, by the inaction of vets in the recall.
It probably ruined his last months of life.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 9, 2007 @ 10:51 am
Sorry,my mistake, I thought he had just died, he died in 1995.
I bet he is spinning in his grave though.
Comment by E. Hamilton — July 9, 2007 @ 11:05 am
It is hard to pick a favourite story. “Only one woof” is precious and the cats falling doped from the rafters after eating barbiturate laced testicles is also a classic.
The British TV series based on the books are superb with such great actors. It is currently playing on PBS again during weekdays from 3.30 pm thru 4.30 pm. Everybody in my family knows not to disturb me during that time frame.
Always wondered if it effected some young people to decide to become a veterinarian.
Comment by Serijna — July 10, 2007 @ 10:58 am
I just can’t decide on which story I like best, of course I do have my favourites but I simply cannot decide on just one. Herriot’s books are a must read - some are touching, others deliciously funny… the stories are so alive you can sense them. I enjoyed them all!
James Alfred Wight was indeed (and is) a person to admire.
Comment by Maria Muscat — September 5, 2009 @ 9:23 am