3.5 stars.
I don't read memoirs very often, but I picked up this book after reading a short extract from it. It tells the story of Bruce Fogle, a Canadian vet who moves to the UK in the 70s and describes life in the UK back then through the eyes of a foreigner who speaks the same language, but does not come from the same culture.
I wanted to be a vet when I was a child -- this did not happen, but I still find the profession very interesting. When I started reading this book, I thought that I had never come across Bruce Fogle, however, I was wrong. I read a couple of his books on dogs when I was younger and very much enjoyed them. This book provides an interesting insight into what life of a vet looked like in the 70s -- many things have changed since (views on animal perception of pain, new technologies and available medication), but many things have stayed the same (the strong bonds between owners and their pets). I was also surprised to learn that you used to be able to buy exotic animals from London Zoo in Harrods - seems really ages ago, especially given how difficult it can now be to even buy a goldfish at Pets at Home!
The book also talks about how the author met his wife, actress Julia Foster, as well as difficulties and challenges at the beginning of one's career - from learning to trust your diagnosis to deciding on when it's time to leave your first job and move on.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.
I don't read memoirs very often, but I picked up this book after reading a short extract from it. It tells the story of Bruce Fogle, a Canadian vet who moves to the UK in the 70s and describes life in the UK back then through the eyes of a foreigner who speaks the same language, but does not come from the same culture.
I wanted to be a vet when I was a child -- this did not happen, but I still find the profession very interesting. When I started reading this book, I thought that I had never come across Bruce Fogle, however, I was wrong. I read a couple of his books on dogs when I was younger and very much enjoyed them. This book provides an interesting insight into what life of a vet looked like in the 70s -- many things have changed since (views on animal perception of pain, new technologies and available medication), but many things have stayed the same (the strong bonds between owners and their pets). I was also surprised to learn that you used to be able to buy exotic animals from London Zoo in Harrods - seems really ages ago, especially given how difficult it can now be to even buy a goldfish at Pets at Home!
The book also talks about how the author met his wife, actress Julia Foster, as well as difficulties and challenges at the beginning of one's career - from learning to trust your diagnosis to deciding on when it's time to leave your first job and move on.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.