I had thought I’d enjoy this romp through the past as I vividly remembered the first chapter and vaguely remembering the rest of the book. Well I felt like we read the first chapter over and over again. Vet responds to call. Colorful locals know a better way, but the vet saves the day. Everyone has tea, or beer or sausages. Rinse and repeat.
These chapters were interspersed with chapters involving Siegfried and Tristan both of whom I despised. The misogyny, the occasional veiled homophobia, and general unpleasantness. Ugh. This was supposed to be a heartwarming book?
Thankfully the second half picked up. The rural characters became more interesting and we saw considerably less of the Siegfried and Tristan.