Sign in with Facebook
The Call
Book description to come.
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published 2011)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
2,488)
Jan 14, 2013
Jenny
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
library-kindle-books
I adored this book!
It is written in the format of a log book by a large animal veterinarian in rural Vermont, which I feared at first might distract from the reading or become gimmicky or cliche. But as I settled into the story, I found beneath the clinical and sometimes abrupt entries I was quickly immersed inside the consciousness of a country vet with three distinctly characterized children and a funny but often acerbic wife and a job which gives him access to all the quirkiness of a small co...more
It is written in the format of a log book by a large animal veterinarian in rural Vermont, which I feared at first might distract from the reading or become gimmicky or cliche. But as I settled into the story, I found beneath the clinical and sometimes abrupt entries I was quickly immersed inside the consciousness of a country vet with three distinctly characterized children and a funny but often acerbic wife and a job which gives him access to all the quirkiness of a small co...more
At first the format of this book seems off-putting, but then you find yourself flowing right along with the author, his family, his medical practice as a veterinarian. A hunting accident leaves his son in a coma, and then he has to make a decision that could affect his compromised health even more. Filled with odd New England neighbors, this book is a little gem.
Charming, delightful, unique. A lovely story of a New England veterinarian and his wife and three children, this is not a James Heriot wanna-be, which is a good thing. I loved James Heriot's books, so I was really impressed that this book revisited the same type of subject in a completely different manner and was really good on its own merit. I think this is a brave and brilliant thing to do. Can you imagine going to a publisher and saying you want to write a book about a country vet and his vis...more
What the book is about: A veterinarian in Vermont and the telephone calls he receives, mostly from neighbors in his small town, seeking treatment for their large animals, usually horses, sheep and cows.
What the book is really about: Family, a father's boundless love, ordinary love, poor cooking, compassion, olives, hunting, survival, humor.
What I think about the book: I liked it.
What I really think about the book: It was amazing! The format was so very different from anything I have ever read b...more
What the book is really about: Family, a father's boundless love, ordinary love, poor cooking, compassion, olives, hunting, survival, humor.
What I think about the book: I liked it.
What I really think about the book: It was amazing! The format was so very different from anything I have ever read b...more
This is my year to get out of my "reading only mysteries" rut and get back to reading literature. I reserved this through our library. I'm sure I read a review somewhere along the way. It's a short book - only 223 pages. It's chock full of daily banality and wonder at the same time. We meet a (mostly) large animal veterinarian in Vermont who describes his calls. One of his clients is a sheep who is a family pet and lives in the house. Then there's the farmer who keeps his cows in a warm basement...more
I seem to be giving most books 4 stars these days...must be me!
This was an interesting book for lots of reasons. To begin, it's written in the form of a diary or datebook, though the author expands the format as needed to tell the story. Our main character is a veterinarian in a small New England town, wife and kids, a rather introspective sort of fellow who loves to interact with the people who call him out to tend their animals. At first I thought the style was going to put me off...I kept wai...more
This was an interesting book for lots of reasons. To begin, it's written in the form of a diary or datebook, though the author expands the format as needed to tell the story. Our main character is a veterinarian in a small New England town, wife and kids, a rather introspective sort of fellow who loves to interact with the people who call him out to tend their animals. At first I thought the style was going to put me off...I kept wai...more
WHAT I WOULD RATE THIS BOOK IF GOODREADS WOULD LET ME: 2.5 stars.
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STORY: Animal doctor stuff, human doctor stuff, family stuff, father-son stuff, hunting and swimming, and the occasional possible spaceship sighting.
WHAT I COULDN'T DECIDE WHILE READING IT: If the unusual format was helping or hurting the story.
WHAT I SAW COMING A MILE AWAY: There's a reveal in the novel that I guessed at way early on, so I didn't really feel the emotion of it that I might have had it been more...more
WHAT HAPPENS IN THE STORY: Animal doctor stuff, human doctor stuff, family stuff, father-son stuff, hunting and swimming, and the occasional possible spaceship sighting.
WHAT I COULDN'T DECIDE WHILE READING IT: If the unusual format was helping or hurting the story.
WHAT I SAW COMING A MILE AWAY: There's a reveal in the novel that I guessed at way early on, so I didn't really feel the emotion of it that I might have had it been more...more
I find myself wondering if this book really was amazing, or did I just really like it... I finally chose amazing because the writing format was new and original (although at first I wasn't sure if I could read the entire book and enjoy it), I loved the characters, I loved the cycle of life depicted throughout, I loved the "real" thinking and the overcoming and eventual forgiveness. This quirky family, especially the dad will remain with me for a long time. This book is a quiet little gem! Loved...more
When selecting a star rating I sometimes find myself hesitating over the button. Is this an "amazing" or "really liked it" book? Would I think it was amazing if it was a debut novel? Probably. In certain genres, some books of equal quality and appeal rate a little differently for me. Suffice it to say this is a beautiful book and I was captivated by it.
Initial Reaction: I'm not going to like this format.
Actual Response: I loved it.
I quickly became used to what in theory seemed off-putting, this...more
Initial Reaction: I'm not going to like this format.
Actual Response: I loved it.
I quickly became used to what in theory seemed off-putting, this...more
The Call is an elegantly simple (or simply elegant) little novel. The simple arises out of the structure the author uses to tell her story. Each journal like entry begins with the Call, followed by the Action, the Result, What the kids said when I got home, What my wife cooked for dinner, etc. The elegant develops as each journal entry deepens the characters and the story until you feel like you live in the cozy, creaking house with them.
David Appleton is a large animal vet in rural New England....more
David Appleton is a large animal vet in rural New England....more
How does an author come up with this? This is an elegant story about family, relationships, love and forgiveness dressed up as a simple story written creatively, seemingly randomly then suddenly it comes together. Except that spaceship which I never quite resolved.
It's a short book about a country veterinarian and what he might write in his daily log.
Call: A cow with her dead calf half-born.
Action: Put on boots and pulled dead calf out while standing in a field full of mud.
Result: Hind legs tore...more
It's a short book about a country veterinarian and what he might write in his daily log.
Call: A cow with her dead calf half-born.
Action: Put on boots and pulled dead calf out while standing in a field full of mud.
Result: Hind legs tore...more
This was an interesting read. In a style that I am not really accustomed to. Here is an example:
CALL: Old woman with minis needs bute paste.
ACTION: Drove to old woman's house....
RESULT: Minis are really cute.
THOUGHTS ON DRIVE HOME: Must bring children back here sometime to see the cute minis.
WHAT CHILDREN SAID TO ME WHEN I GOT HOME: Hi, Pop.
WHAT THE WIFE COOKED FOR DINNER: Steak and potatoes, no salad.
This is the style of this book. And to me it seemed as if it was delivered in a monotone voice...more
CALL: Old woman with minis needs bute paste.
ACTION: Drove to old woman's house....
RESULT: Minis are really cute.
THOUGHTS ON DRIVE HOME: Must bring children back here sometime to see the cute minis.
WHAT CHILDREN SAID TO ME WHEN I GOT HOME: Hi, Pop.
WHAT THE WIFE COOKED FOR DINNER: Steak and potatoes, no salad.
This is the style of this book. And to me it seemed as if it was delivered in a monotone voice...more
The Call captured me from the beginning; cast in the form of veterinarian "calls" with ACTIONS, RESULTS, it at first is charmingly funny. David Appleton is quirky, to say the least. He wonders about the lights in the sky, and considers them a spaceship (as does the whole family). Can they get away from their rural life? The story is really about how they all come to love and appreciate what they have. Much of it is just funny, and as the entries in the log book expand to WHAT THE WIFE SAID to WH...more
Odd style. Trying to get into it! The blurb on the back of the book says: The daily rhythm of a vet's family in rural New England is shaken she a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the vet struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great trial an unexpected visitor arrives, requesting a favor that will has profound consequences testing a loving father's patience, humor, and resolve...more
I vacillated between a 3 and a 4 for this book. I liked it but I didn't love it though it was all nicely tied together in the end. It was an interesting journal style, I may have gotten more from it reading it rather than listening to the audiobook. I thought the vet calls were fun to hear about and it was interesting to realize how a vet might struggle financially since it seemed like it would pay pretty well. I really got sucked into the narrator's life and thoughts.
In retrospect things were...more
In retrospect things were...more
Nov 18, 2011
Pete
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
petestopof2011,
reviewed
A book that's pleasant and quiet without being boring, which is a rarity as far as I can tell.
The book has a structure to it that might turn some people off from the beginning. The narrator is a large animal doctor, and each section works kind of like this:
Call: [explanation of animal ailment]
Action: [explanation of what he did]
Result: [you're smart. you can figure this one out]
But then the narrator deviates from the structure a little bit.
Thoughts On The Ride Home:
What I Heard With The Window...more
The book has a structure to it that might turn some people off from the beginning. The narrator is a large animal doctor, and each section works kind of like this:
Call: [explanation of animal ailment]
Action: [explanation of what he did]
Result: [you're smart. you can figure this one out]
But then the narrator deviates from the structure a little bit.
Thoughts On The Ride Home:
What I Heard With The Window...more
This is a novel told in the format of a daily Call Log, a year in the life of a small town Veterinarian, David Appleton. Each entry starts with headers - Call, Action, Result...but evolves from vet work to life with headers like What The Kids Did when I Got Home, What My Wife Made for Dinner, What My Wife Said, etc. I worried that this format would get tiresome but it actually helped to move the story along fairly quickly. David is likeable, funny, and vulnerable. He loves his family and his wor...more
Aug 05, 2012
Lorraine
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Horse-lovers, hunters, vets, and literary readers
Recommended to Lorraine by:
Anna VR
I'm always drawn to books that are unique in their narrative style, so when my librarian friend showed me the Call/Action/Result etc blocks of narrative in this book I was immediately intrigued. I didn't even care to read the description on the back cover, I just knew I wanted to read this book. (Incidentally, I did read the description on the back after I finished the novel, and it's obviously written by a publisher, not the author, because it too neatly says what the book is "about." The book...more
Dec 04, 2011
Jane
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Evan because the family is into swimming and admires the coach!
In Writing this novel Murphy used an unusual format: The narration appears in what might be a log containing these categories: Call, Action, Result, Thoughts on driving home, What the children said, What the wife said, etc.
The format is repeated over and over with only a few section of narration that run longer than one page. As I began, I did NOT appreciate this for of telling a story. It looked like something one of my wise-ass former students would've come up with to avoid all the parameters...more
The format is repeated over and over with only a few section of narration that run longer than one page. As I began, I did NOT appreciate this for of telling a story. It looked like something one of my wise-ass former students would've come up with to avoid all the parameters...more
I liked this book, set in New England, it is the story of a family with a veterinarian at its head. Their life is pretty normal until the son, Sam, is injured when he falls from his deerstand after being shot. He ends up in a coma and throws his family's life into turmoil. The father, David, is close to a nervous breakdown because the police can't find the shooter. The mother, Sarah, just aboput falls apart.
David does an exhaustive search but comes up empty handed. Added to his frantic search a...more
David does an exhaustive search but comes up empty handed. Added to his frantic search a...more
Apr 27, 2013
Ida
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
family,
fiction,
gentle-read,
love,
mentions-libraries-or-librarians,
rural-areas,
animals,
veterinarian,
hunting
This is a quick read, despite the unusual format. It's written as journal entries in a rural veterinarian's logbook. He records what calls he had, his encounters with his clients - animals and their people - his random musings along the way, and interactions with his own family. As the book goes on, and his 12-year-old son ends up in a coma from a hunting accident, these entries grow more lengthy.
He also receives mysterious calls - a hanger-upper who finally starts to speak a few words after sev...more
He also receives mysterious calls - a hanger-upper who finally starts to speak a few words after sev...more
Tony Perez (Editor, TH Books): If you just flipped through Yannick Murphey’s The Call, it’d be easy to believe it is, at best, some interesting structural experiment (or at worst, some cheap gimmick). The book is formatted as the field notes of a rural veterinarian:
CALL: A cow with her dead calf half-born.
ACTION: Put on boots and pulled dead calf out while standing in a field full of mud.
RESULT: Hind legs tore off from dead calf while I pulled. Head, forelegs, and torso are still inside the m...more
CALL: A cow with her dead calf half-born.
ACTION: Put on boots and pulled dead calf out while standing in a field full of mud.
RESULT: Hind legs tore off from dead calf while I pulled. Head, forelegs, and torso are still inside the m...more
Was going to give it a two, but changed my mind. Kind of tired of feel good books, but this did achieve its goal. Mankind will survive, although we have enough problems in it. Good will overcome evil.
The daily rhythm of a veterinarian's family in rural New England is shaken when a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the veterinarian struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great...more
The daily rhythm of a veterinarian's family in rural New England is shaken when a hunting accident leaves their eldest son in a coma. With the lives of his loved ones unhinged, the veterinarian struggles to maintain stability while searching for the man responsible. But in the midst of their great...more
What I liked: The unique style of this book (which I am meagerly attempting to copy with my review). I've never read anything quite like it. Also, the humor, the irreverence, the genuineness of the characters and the portrayal of everyday family life.
What made me feel like I was home (truly, like a smell or an object from one's childhood): The Vermont setting (as depicted by an author who lives there), the language, the straightforwardness, the use of a few words to convey a lot, the way nature,...more
What made me feel like I was home (truly, like a smell or an object from one's childhood): The Vermont setting (as depicted by an author who lives there), the language, the straightforwardness, the use of a few words to convey a lot, the way nature,...more
I might be rating this one a little high? I'm not sure, and some of it will depend on how this one wears over the weeks as I read other books. Will it leave an impression? I don't know.
So, the big picture is that this is the story of a large animal vet whose son goes into a coma after a hunting accident. The narrator has a philosophical turn already, and the accident adds to it, as does a variety of other narrative stuff-- the calls he goes on as a vet; his home life; an apparent spaceship circl...more
So, the big picture is that this is the story of a large animal vet whose son goes into a coma after a hunting accident. The narrator has a philosophical turn already, and the accident adds to it, as does a variety of other narrative stuff-- the calls he goes on as a vet; his home life; an apparent spaceship circl...more
Jan 28, 2012
Judy
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
21st-century-fiction,
reading-group-pick
With a sigh, I picked up this selection for one of my reading groups and was glad to see it was short. "The daily rhythm of a veterinarian's family in rural New England" would not be something I chose to read about.
Then I read the first page and sighed more deeply. It is written as a sort of log of the vet's day: what he was called for, how it went (gruesome), and some comments on the family. I thought it might take a couple bottles of wine to get me through.
Luckily, happily, and admiringly, I h...more
I like to think Yannick Murphy had a much fun writing this book as I had reading it. By choosing to write the novel in a series of "updates", she tells a story by way of glimpses. ("What we had for dinner", "What my kids said when I got home", etc.) The format suits her well, allowing her to "show and not tell", to get in some great zingers and to avoid some easy-out cliches. It is sometimes true that a "corset" can be liberating, a rigid style can allow for subtle storytelling that does not bea...more
Charming book about the rhythms of life as a vet in (I think) the Northeastern US. Despite talk/action on surgeries, a coma and spacecraft hovering over the house, not a lot happens. People call the vet about various animal ailments - my favorite was Dorothy and her pet sheep, Alice - and he goes out and helps them one way or another. We are privy to his musings about life and death and the big questions as he makes his way to and from the calls. We get to know his wife, Jen, and their three chi...more
I enjoyed reading this book. It's written in a log style, so you wonder how much of a story you're really going to get from this style of writing, but somehow it works. The story centers around a farm veterinarian's daily life at work and at home. The log starts the day with CALL. This sets off what the vet's day wil be like. Most are calls he puts in to see some sick animals and they are as interesting as the owners of the sick animals are. The vet logs in a lot of his thoughts, such as THOUGHT...more
4.5 stars...or even more. I loved this little book.
It's original, clever, touching, quietly humorous and has quirky, but endearing characters.
The story's narrator is a rural Vermont veterinarian who lives with his wife, 3 children, 2 Newfoundlands and a rabbit. (parallels to the author here). The structure of the book takes the form of a diary or a vet's call log. The logged calls provide the format and forward movement for the book, but the "log" is much more than a look at veterinarian's rout...more
It's original, clever, touching, quietly humorous and has quirky, but endearing characters.
The story's narrator is a rural Vermont veterinarian who lives with his wife, 3 children, 2 Newfoundlands and a rabbit. (parallels to the author here). The structure of the book takes the form of a diary or a vet's call log. The logged calls provide the format and forward movement for the book, but the "log" is much more than a look at veterinarian's rout...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Yannick Murphy is the author of the novels, THE CALL, SIGNED, MATA HARI, HERE THEY COME, and THE SEA OF TREES. Her story collections include STORIES IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE and IN A BEAR'S EYE. Her children's books include THE COLD WATER WITCH, BABY POLAR, and AHWOOOOOOOO!. She is the recipient of various awards including a Whiting Writer's Award, a National Endowment for the Arts award, a Chesterfiel...more
More about Yannick Murphy...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Feb 27, 2012 07:21am