James Herriot
I first read his books when I was a kid. I still read them now. I don't even like reading animal books, or biographies, or 'true life stories'. But I love those books. They're probably the only books I can think of that affect me exactly the same way now (I'm 22) as they did when I was 7.

The Beeb's just done a miniseries based on Herriot as a kid (well, based on the writer's penname character, I know, but still...) I'm kinda hoping for renewed interest in the books, and a new DVD boxset of 'All Creatures'. :P

As to the worst: Da Vinci Code. Utter tripe. I read it. Due to the complexity of its narrative it took me nearly an hour, but that included the time to laugh at it, mock my friend for having got the version with the 'fact' pictures printed in it alongside bits of pub trivia, and burn the fucking thing.
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 22:50, 10 replies)

Yep
with you right there on the old Herriot books.
( Infidel , shit and wrong, Thu 5 Jan 2012, 23:19, closed)

I remember my nan having the books, I remember looking at the cover illustrations but being to young to read them. We watched the series on VHS and I really liked it.
(shezam slouching towards nirvana., Thu 5 Jan 2012, 23:45, closed)

The lady who played his missus
was a bit of all-right. Tristan was a cunt and Siegfried was better on the tv than in the books.
(Misery McUglywife an attention seeking sociopathic fuckstain., Thu 5 Jan 2012, 23:56, closed)

Carol Drinkwater
I'm ashamed to admit I remembered her name instantly.

This should remove any danger of a reminiscence wank.

goo.gl/vYcDE
( Infidel , shit and wrong, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 0:44, closed)

...apparently
the real life Siegfried objected quite strongly to his portrayal in the first book, even though - or perhaps because - everyone agreed it was quite accurate. So Herriot toned him down and virtually out in the later books.

He's better in the TV series because Robert Hardy met him and they became quite chummy, and his portrayal is much closer to the real man i.e. hilariously barking mad.
(richardm, Mon 9 Jan 2012, 15:27, closed)

i used to stay with my nan in the summer holidays.
vet in a spin sticks in my my mind. and the LANGUAGE.
( janet aylia y'all motherfuckers need jesus, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 1:28, closed)

James Herriot was just a pen name.
What he writes about are his experiences but he rewrote them for his books by basically changing the names, places and times.
(Woodlouse say it with flowers. Send her a Triffid, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 2:47, closed)

Yes, I know
that's why I wrote the rather odd phrase 'his penname character', because I can't spell pseudenym. :P
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 18:34, closed)

agreed, love those books.
and the TV show, i recently started watching them again when i found it was on netflix.
(Matty73, Fri 6 Jan 2012, 4:07, closed)

These books saved my sanity
I bought the complete set of these in a bookshop in Scarborough during a godawful family holiday in Yorkshire. It meant that I could immerse myself in a whole other lifetime while the rain threw it down more or less constantly and my brother tried to annoy me.
(ThursdayNext drowning in gin on, Wed 11 Jan 2012, 15:48, closed)