To begin with, this book is a work of non-fiction, this means that for any aspiring vets- or any animal lovers for that matter- this makes for a really engaging and interesting read. The book recounts stories from Hardy's career so far, much like many other veterniary books, take Herriot for example. However, one key difference is that Hardy is still a veterniary student at the Royal Veterniary College in London during the course of the book. Taking place during Hardy's final year in the RVC, the students go up and down the country on work placements, gaining valuable experience in the world of veterniary before they go on as qualified vets in the world.As an aspiring veterniary surgeon myself, this book was amazing to read and I honestly couldn't put it down. The book may be non-fiction, but still transports you to another world- almost magically. The RVC in a funny sort of way ended up feeling a little like Hogwarts to me in my mind while I read this book and has done nothing but inspire me further to want to become a vet myself.
Some of you living in the UK, may remember Jo from the BBC 2 show: 'Young Vets', which followed a group of vet students in their final year from the RVC going on clincal rotations around the country. Hardy was a member of that group and she wrote the book as a result of the TV series. After the success of this first book Hardy has gone on to produce a second book, which follows her travelling internationally to help world verterniary charities in third world countries. These events of course occur after she qualifies!
Overall, I think that this is a truly wonderful book. As it is not fiction, I cannot tell you how good it is for plot twists, or for that matter how in depth the worlds written about are- however I can tell you how the book is very well written and how it draws you in like a good book should. Therefore I give it a 9/10.
If Jo Hardy plays her cards right and continues writing, she could one day rival even Alf Wight!