Tales From A Country Practice

by Arthur Jackson

When the phone rings in the middle of the night, Dr Arthur Jackson leaves the warmth of his bed without hesitation. Tending to his peculiar flock of patients - including the blind cobbler with a surprising taste for hard liquor, the accident-prone butcher and the young woman with an unusual phobia - is his first priority, whether their illness is critical or they simply need a comforting hand to hold. The whole community turns to the young doctor for advice . . . and not all of it medical.

Meanwhile, Dr Jackson's family are settling into their new home, a rambling manor house complete with uncooperative ducks and a ghost. This delightfully nostalgic tale follows their progress as the negotiate the highs and lows, the hilarious ups and downs, of life in a country practice.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Liz Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The It-Shouldn't-Happen-To-A-Vet of doctor books. But a bit over-ducky.

[Allan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about so much more than a doctor's practice. It contains a full range of conditions from comedy to tragedy. I loved it.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to in audio format.

I enjoyed this book but it was mostly about Dr Jackson and duck keeping.

My favourite story was the elderly widow who had developed dementia due loneliness. The doctor knew a newly married couple with a baby who lived in poverty. He persuaded the widow to let the young family l lodge with her which gave her a new purpose in life.

I also liked the story of one his patients, a minor crook who provided him with duck pens. This was an enjoyable book in a village community.

[LAURA JONES · Rating 1 out of 5]

i do like stories about the real life and the careers or jobs people follow so when i saw this was about a country practice i expected great stories of farmers and country folk but straight off the book didnt give an idea when it was set unless i missed it! there was not much introduction about family and if you want a book about poultry keeping this would be for you or a book about the trials of owning a country house it would be ideal! though there were a few stories about patients it was mainly about the personal life of this Dr an ok read but not one i would particularly recommend

[Catherine Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave this book 4 stars because it kept me reading and was well written and entertaining. I find it hard to get interested in a book these days. Otherwise I would have probably given it 3 stars because of sexist bits. A bit less about the ducks and more about country characters would have been nice.

[Janet Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it and also there's a ghost story!