Home Is the Sailor

Irish Country #8.5

by Patrick Taylor

Fans of Patrick Taylor's bestselling Irish Country novels know Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly as the irascible senior partner of a general practice in the colourful Irish village of Ballybucklebo.

But there was a time, shortly after arriving in Ballybucklebo, that Dr. O'Reilly was not widely accepted by the villagers. This touching short story tell of how O'Reilly, with a little help, began to overcome their objections.

Whether you're visiting for the first time, or you're a long-time resident, you'll enjoy this fun glimpse into life Patrick Taylor's village of Ballybucklebo.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Ireland, Audiobook, Irish Literature, Humor, Historical

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 5, 2013

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one years. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/patric...

Reviews

[Jessie Myrriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and comforting. The more I read of this series the more I notice the repeating phrases and motifs. But rather than become annoyed at the formula it feels instead like putting on a favorite sweater.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read 2018

This short story in the Irish Country series looks into the first few months of Dr. O'Reilly's taking over of the practice in Ballybucklebo. He's recently been demobbed, released, from service after the end of the Second World War. The doctor he worked with as an assistant prior to his call-up has since passed, and Dr. O'Reilly has bought the practice from the doctor's estate. It was interesting trying to read about some of the children that you know as new adults in the series. As well as a little more background to some of the stories told by Dr. O'Reilly and his housekeeper Kinky Kincade, as well as finding out how Kinky got her nickname.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

More amusing anecdotes about Dr O'Reilly in this short novella. This story describes his installation after WWII in the small town of Ballybucklebo when he is trying to build up his clientele from scratch.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this a month or so ago, available only as an e-book on the Nook. Since I truly enjoy this series, I went ahead and got it. The author describes it as a "long short story."

It's actually the tale of Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly's return to Ballybucklebo after his stint in the Navy during World War II. He has managed to purchase the practice of his mentor, and is anxious to start his medical career, in charge of his own practice. It's very enjoyable, with Kinky Kincaid already being in place as the housekeeper, and it offers the chance to see the very beginnings of O'Reilly's relationships with the people in the town.

This was fun, and a good "fix" for me until I get to read the next book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella fills in some of the back story that occurred when Dr. O'Reilly returns to Ballybucklebo after serving 6 years during World War II. We are introduced to some of the characters that become mainstays in future books.

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice short story about Dr OReiley's first days in his new position. Fun for anyone who is addicted to this series.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little glimpse into Dr O'Reilly's first few weeks back in County Down after the end of the war. I love learning more background of these characters and as always, I love the accents provided by the audiobook reader. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun! I haven't read this Irish Country Doctor series, so I thought I'd start with this novella about the beginning of it all. I chuckled all the way through it.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sweet, light-hearted short story that introduces a community to the reader. Stereotypically rural Irish tropes are here (to a fault) in a story that leaves little to the imagination. If you're politically attuned and sensitive, know that this is in Ulster/northern Ireland, and honours British rule. No republicans were harmed in the telling of the tale, but it did annoy me that it's so very British.

[Jina Howell-Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Irish Country Doctor Story. Funny, poignant, historical, story of small town life with wonderful recurring characters. Series must be read in order, so don't start with this one. If you have read others in the series, this is like the others, so no more needs to be said. The series is great for audio book. Great Irish accents and slang usage.

This book gets 4 stars instead of 5 because it was too short. Patrick Taylor needs to write more, and much faster.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've heard about this series, so tried this short prequel. It was similar in some ways to James Herriot's books, but without the humor & animals. Well read, but I'm not going to continue listening to the series.

This is the wrong edition. I listened to it as an audio book, but one isn't listed & I'm too lazy to add it.

[Dawn Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Doctor series. This was a pleasant "long" short story that explains how the main character ends up being the doctor for Ballybucklebo at the end of WWII. It was a fun and quick read, but now I have to wait until Nov. 2013 for the next full length installment to be published.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Walking sticks ready

Read by Keating.

Lagom, adekvat

[Judith Irvine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this but it was too short!

[Teri Pre · Rating 4 out of 5]

It pays to request books from your library!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Patrick Taylor

I came across Patrick Taylor's name through another favorite author Maeve Binchy. Taylor's Irish Country Doctor series is fun and funny.

[Jenna Gareis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five things about Home Is the Sailor by Patrick Taylor 5/5⭐️s

1. This is a companion novella in the Irish Country Doctor series.
2. It’s a little glimpse into Fingal O’Reily’s first days as the GP doctor in Ballybucklebo. If you’ve read the whole series, this will feel so fun to read as it harkens back to the beginning of the series when Barry Laverty’s in his early days and working under the long established leadership of O’Reily. It’s fun to see how much work O’Reily had to put in - just like Barry.
3. This is best enjoyed within a full reading of the series but can also be read as a stand alone novella. It will be, maybe less sentimental but completely hilarious and heartwarming with enough information to know the characters and town.
4. I couldn’t find this in print. Perhaps it was never in print? I was able to find an audiobook from both my library and Audible as well as an ebook version through Kindle.
5. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but this is one of my favorite series and I wish so many more people read them. So delightful. If you pick any one of them up, you’re in for a treat.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story that manages to develop both plot and characters in this demanding format. Before the war, Fingal O’Reilly was an assistant to Dr. Flanigan. Now, released from his service as a naval surgeon, Fingal has bought the old doctor’s practice and is looking to establish himself in Ballybucklebo. While advances in medicine have moved on and Dr. O’Reilly with them, the villagers still hark back to a more primitive form of medical care. Bertie Bishop, in particular, is convinced that he has the qualifications for both self-diagnosis and prescribing his own treatment. A satisfying addition to the series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charming little book was lurking at the bottom of a list of available audiobooks from my local library. It had been there just about every time I was on this particular page and I finally clicked to see what it might be about. It sounded like a lovely short read to finish off the day while I was preparing for bed.

I read ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL by James Herriot when I was much younger and found it to be not only lovely but also lively. This is similar but it is o medical practice for humans. I’m so charmed I’m now thinking about reading the full length novels from this author.

[Garth Mailman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irish Country #8.5
Home is the Sailor
Patrick Taylor, John Keating (Narator)

A short story in the series mould. Once more we jump back in time to Fingal first days setting up a practice after buying it from his predecessor’s estate. Before state run medicine doctors were often paid in kind but that didn’t put money in the bank to help make payments on his loan and a run in with that overbearing counsellor didn’t help a wit.

[Sam Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic and comforting to read, an odd place to accidentally enter an established series but all the same it felt like a welcome to the series - I can only guess there’s more depth offered to those who are well versed in the canon of the series - a nice short read to enjoy with a cup of something comforting.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable novella that describes the return of Dr. O'Reilly to his new medical practice just after he leaves his Naval service in WWII. Kinky is strongly represented in this sweet story, and adds to her appeal.

[Bianca Orellana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone who has yet to read this series (but really, really wants to!) this was a great little introduction to Taylor's Irish Country world! I listened to the audiobook, and John Keating's narration made this story come alive for me. Great work.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel

This is a great insight into how Dr. O’Reilly got started in his practice in Ballybucklebo after he returned from the war. It was interesting to see that some residents of the little town you meet in previous books were living there when Dr. O first opened his practice.

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story I tried out to see if I thought I’d like the series of books. I like the audiobook because of the Irish accents. The stories may remind you of James Herriot’s village life though this is a human doctor not a vet.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a time, shortly after arriving in Ballybucklebo, that Dr. O'Reilly was not widely accepted by the villagers. This touching short story tell of how O'Reilly, with a little help, began to overcome their objections.

[Anna-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a snippet

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. If you enjoyed reading or watching All Creatures Great and Small, you would enjoy this series about an Irish Country GP (general practitioner) and the ups and downs of life in old country Ireland.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read. It was nice to get the back story about how O'Reilly got started in the practice and how he got the town to accept him as the new doc in town...even if by a slightly cringe-worthy method ;)

[Kristjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story tracing Dr. O'Reilly's return to Ballybucklebo after the war, his taking over the practice, and struggle with earning the trust of the locals. Appearances by some of the regulars at a different age made this an enjoyable read (or, listen, as it were).