An Irish Country Family

Irish Country #14

by Patrick Taylor

The instant USA Today bestselller!


An Irish Country Family is a charming entry in Patrick Taylor's beloved internationally bestselling Irish Country series.

Before Doctor Barry Laverty joined Doctor Fingal O'Reilly's practice in the colorful Irish village of Ballybucklebo, he was an intern, working long hours, practicing new medical techniques, falling in love, and learning what is most important in the medical field for a family physician--the bonds of family, friendships, and human kindness.

Years later, Barry practices everything he has learned in Ballybucklebo, a lovely village where neighbor looks after neighbor. And while his own efforts to start a family with his wife Sue have been frustrated, the community around him couldn't be stronger as they work together to show their solidarity.

Shifting effortlessly between the two time periods, bestselling author Patrick Taylor continues the story of these beloved characters while vividly bringing the daily joys and struggles of this delightful Irish village to life.

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

368 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2019

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

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading this series from the beginning and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The story follows the life of an Irish country village called Ballybucklebo in the 1960s. The main protagonist is Fingal Flaherty O’Reilly, M.D., the village physician. Also, added early in the series is Barry Laverty, M.D., who joins O’Reilly’s practice.

The book is well written and researched. The story follows the daily life of an Irish Village. It is mainly a heart-warming story. It makes a great change of pace book after reading some heavy non-fiction books.

I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and one minute. John Keating does and excellent job narrating the story; in fact, he makes the book. He is so good at all the various Irish regional accents. Keating is an Irish actor and is an award-winning audiobook narrator.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening Patrick Taylor's latest novel in his 'Irish Country' series, is like settling yourself in your comfiest armchair with a cup of hot chocolate and a warm rug across your lap. At number 14 in the series, the fictional little Irish village of Ballybucklebo (County Down, Northern Ireland) is very familiar, as are its villagers and the two resident doctors, Dr Fingal O'Reilly and young Dr Barry Laverty as they go about dispensing medical treatment and compassion.

It's 1969 and while 'the troubles' are escalating around the country, the residents of Ballbucklebo are determined to continue living in peace and harmony. The doctors and the catholic priest and protestant minister get together to hatch plans to keep Protestants and Catholics living together as a community. Now six years since Barry completed his medical training and joined Fingal's practice, he reminisces about his year as a Houseman and plans for the future as he and his wife struggle to conceive a child. No big plots here, just a warm-hearted, gentle tale of a charming village and the everyday lives of its people - the perfect comfort read.

With thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge Books for a copy to read

[Obsidian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ta-dah! And here we have it. The last book in my Irish Country re-read. My rating for this one (3 stars) still holds. I think the book skipping forward 18 months was probably not a good idea. It feels like a lot of things got left out. The book is very repetitive too. At this point we don't need to read about how Fingal and Kitty met. No one cares about Barry's old romance with Patricia Spence. He's now married to Sue and has been for almost 2 years at the start of this new book. I just got really bored and started to skim in places. I am a bit worried about the next book in the series. I hope Taylor doesn't keep throwing crap at Barry and Sue. I would not be shocked if he has her die or something and somehow Barry gets back together with Patricia. See below for my original comments.

Previous review.
Not too much to say. This one was just boring. There's some slight tension because of a new character who just disappears into the ether. Taylor really needs to stay in the present day in his books. Him jumping back a few years to show Barry on rotation was not needed and was boring. I don't know how much longer these books can go. This used to be one of my favorite series because Taylor actually didn't just have happily ever after endings for people all of the time. These books usually surround a big problem in the village that O'Reilly really doesn't need to get involved with and then it's solved in like 5 chapters while we readers get flashback scenes that no one asked for. Here's hoping the next one self corrects.

"An Irish Country Family" deals a bit with the Troubles in Ireland (it's 1969) and with Barry and Sue trying and failing to get pregnant. Taylor also has Doctor O'Reilly dealing with a new arrival to Ballybucklebo who seems focused on preventing the village into making a nearby location into a place for men and women to listen to music and dance. Taylor also has readers following Barry back a few years prior to the start of "An Irish Country Doctor" to watch him during his medical rotation.

The characters are the same in this one really. We have Barry and Sue both getting frustrated that she can't get pregnant. I liked that Taylor had them discussing adoption, but you know that flamed out quickly.

O'Reilly still wants Kitty to retire but apparently he's not going to? I don't know, that whole plot-line needs to be dropped. It's annoying. Also I wonder why everyone goes to O'Reilly about things they can do without him. We had the whole surprise that took forever to unfold. We had the Marquis asking O'Reilly to accompany him when he honestly didn't need him.

I loathed the newcomer to the village and once again we have a man that does something horrible to a woman and it's just ignored? I don't know what to say here. It's a weird choice.

The writing was just okay in this one. I think I just got frustrated because the book seem to be moving at a glacial pace. Seeing the dates in the chapter headings made me feel impatient.

The flow of the book was off. Why Taylor decided to show Barry 6 years in the past made zero sense. Thankfully his chapters were short, however, they were not necessary. I hope this is the last flashback of his we get. Taylor kept doing this with O'Reilly and it soon wore out its welcome for me as a reader.

With regards to the setting, I think it's weird that Taylor wants to have Ballybucklebo be this perfect place in Ireland where Catholics and Protestants get together. There are some mentions of the fighting going on, but that's it. It's a weird choice and I don't know if he will ever get into more details or what in the series.

The book ends on a happy note, but also I had some confusion about things since we hear about a character who is moving but it's not mentioned before and I went wait what and then decided to move on because I didn't care a whit.

I still say "An Irish Country Girl" is the best book in this series. Taylor would do better to write more like that instead of the mismash between characters and past and present that isn't really working that well anymore.

[Almira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Patrick Taylor has brought the village of Ballybuckleboo to life.
It is very important to read the Author's Note, which is at the front of the book, as it will explain quite a few very important facts regarding note only medical terms used, medical procedures that were "discovered" during this time frame and those involved in their discoveries, but also about "The Troubles" the civil unrest of the 1960's - 1970's in Northern Ireland.

The story "flips" back and forth between 1969, when Barry Laverty is in practice with Dr. Fingal O'Reilly, and 1963-64 when Barry is a "houseman" at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital.
During the "houseman" time frame, we watch Barry become close to of one of his patients - considered a "no-no" in the medical profession, especially when the outcome might not be positive. During the years in practice, we watch Barry and Sue struggle with the fact that they are unable to conceive, and the heartbreak Sue suffers with this.

A new character is added to the mix, an unpleasant braggart, John Mullan, who is making trouble for the locals.
The irrepressible Donal Donnelly and his family are in for the surprise of a lifetime when the villagers band together to help them after their home was destroyed by fire. I always enjoy Donal and his antics.

No book would be the same without Dr. Fingal O'Reilly, Kitty and Kinky, who all have roles in this delightful story.

[Linden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was disappointed in the previous book in the Irish Country series, since it talked so much about the violence in Northern Ireland. I’m happy to say this one was Patrick Taylor at his storytelling best. The narrative alternates between 1969 Ballybucklebo, and Barry Laverty’s medical training and hospital residency in the early sixties. In the village, everyone helps Donal and his family after their home burns to the ground, funds are raised to send children to a camp where Protestant and Catholic children both attend, and a surly newcomer is exposed as a fraud. At the hospital, Barry has to decide on a specialty, and one experience in particular shows him the best choice. The author achieved a balance between mentioning historical events in the late sixties and showing how the denizens of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland find common ground, whether Protestant or Catholic, loyalist or republican, “showing the rest of the world how one little Ulster community can forget its differences and get along.”

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dull story about Barry Laverty current medical practice and trying to start a family and his past of becoming a doctor.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heart warming story of life in a small village in Northern Ireland. It is told between 1963 and 1969 and the story of becoming a doctor, particularly a GP. There was an interesting history of CPR and a defibilitator. A big cast of familiar and lovely characters make an appearance. It's a book that will make you smile and warm your heart.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Irish Country Family by Patrick Taylor is a wonderful and heartwarming addition in his long-running Irish Country Village series. This book, while laced with humor, is often poignant and explores the true and multiple meanings of “family.” Set primarily in the mythical near-paradise of Ballybucklebo, the book features most of the characters that have been featured in previous books, including Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, the lynchpin of both Ballybucklebo and the series. As Taylor has occasionally done before, this book utilizes flashbacks to enlighten readers about a main character’s backstory, in this case, Dr. Barry Laverty during his final year of training before he becomes a fully licensed doctor.

The book is comprised of a series of overlapping arcs that Mr. Taylor masterfully meshes together to form a cohesive novel. The backdrop is Northern Ireland’s Ulster region in 1969, a time when sectarian unrest was widespread, with bombings and riots not uncommon, Ballybucklebo is the exception, an area unto itself where the citizens strive to live together in peace and unity. One arc explores the efforts made by several leading citizens to foster and continue this “live and let live” spirit not necessarily found elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Another arc explores the growth of Barry Laverty from newly minted doctor who easily falls in love to a now-married, somewhat older and wiser doctor quite capable of dealing with the challenges of being a country general practice physician.

I loved this book. I quickly became wrapped up in the characters and storylines, and appreciated how the book, even with its flashbacks, so ably maintained an interesting and satisfying progression as different issues arose and were dealt with. I am not sure how long the series will continue but, if this were to be the final entry, it would be a fitting ending. I highly recommend this book, which is a standalone. That said, I highly recommend that the reader read the entire series in chronological order. Five stars.

I (gratefully) received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was a not compensated nor required to write a positive review. The opinions stated are solely my own.

[Elena Mikalsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story, the history, the details, the characters. The writing drew me immediately in and I found I was still thinking about it after I finished.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that is quite nostalgic for a slightly older reader, and for the younger ones may be a book that will make them question whether places and people like this actually existed. Set in a not very far off time of the 1960s Ballybucklebo (the name itself sounds quirky) seems to be idyllic place peopled by very fine upright characters with just the odd man out to throw a spanner in the works literally.


Set amidst for the great part in a doctor community both in a hospital and outside the hospital the story covers freshman during their internship and how they plan their futures and how best to integrate into the Irish community at large. The question of migration also looms because promotion is painfully slow in Ireland and those wanting to make their mark in the world seem to be looking elsewhere.


Add to the hospital background which even to a layman was not very technical and quite interesting was the vagaries of life and death which faced everyone in this small village.


Very well told, unfolding gradually, with its ups and downs this was a very pleasant read.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll start by saying the 3 star rating isn't indicative as to how good parts of the book are. I had hoped the technique of shifting between time periods had ended once the reader was caught up with Dr. O'Reilly's past. Unfortunately, the technique is employed again, this time in regard to Barry. And my rating for "An Irish Country Family" dropped because I really feel the look back to only six years previous was unnecessary. We don't really learn anything new about Barry. His reasons for becoming a GP are the same as we've learned already. He continues to mope when things don't go his way. He falls in love too easily. All the same MO with him during the time we've come to know him in Ballybucklebo. Even the closeness he shares with a patient is evident through Anne Galvin and is only being rehashed with Rusky Peters. Maybe the real reason Patrick Taylor decided on the flashback scenes was in order to find a way to insert himself into the narrative. Ugh. Also, a great deal of medical jargon and procedures bogged down the narrative. I usually find the author's medical information interesting, but there was just too much here.

I also thought Sue came off a little high strung in this one. It was a little unbelievable to me how worried she was about being infertile since she's only 25/26 and had been trying to conceive for less than two years. Her distress might have been more believable if she were pushing thirty and had been trying for four or five years.

Colin Brown is also starting to annoy me. I'm sorry, but if the author is going to speed up Colin's aging from 6 to 16 in a five-year span, then at least have him act and talk like he's 16 not 6.

I did enjoy the scenes set in Ballybucklebo of 1969 very much (Sue and Barry's worrying notwithstanding). I enjoyed the camaraderie of the townsfolk very much. I'm happy to see Emer will be staying on. The story line with Alice and Ronald Fitzpatrick was sweet, if expected. Fingal seems to be mellowing a bit with age and Kitty's influence. I'm very interested to see how the lives of our favorite characters continue to progress. I'm also glad Alan Hewitt did not disappoint and acted in accordance with his character. I look forward to the next book. My only hope is it does not rely heavily on flashbacks as this one did.

[Betty Strohecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to return once again to the Irish town of Ballybucklebo and catch up with its inhabitants. Flashbacks to 1963-64 find Barry and his fellow medical colleagues in their Houseman's year of training, spending 3 months on various wards, which gives them the experience they need. This book addresses the beginning of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, something which is far more advanced today. One of the aspects I enjoy in this series is seeing how medicine has evolved. Taylor is a doctor , himself, and takes great pains in his research, giving acknowledgement to colleagues who are experts in the fields he addresses.

Present day is May, 1969, and the town is gearing up to surprise the Donnelly family with the completed restoration of their home which was devastated by a fire in the previous book. Although, the community experiences the struggles and high points in life, they band together to help those in need. Taylor deals with emotions realistically, so the reader laughs and cries with the people who have become like family. This continues to be an enjoyable series.

[Sharone Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this installment of the series, we alternate between seeing Barry as an intern and the present in Balleybucklebo. The present deals with Sue's and Barry's inexplicable infertility. I suspect Patrick Taylor saw quite a few of these during his career and wanted to write about it, but it feels like it goes on forever (three books already). But we do see the end of this storyline here (I won't share any spoilers).

Not much else is going on that's new or really interesting. Once again we see the proof that Taylor's books that alternate between two timelines aren't as good as ones that stick to one timeline, IMO.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in the Irish Doctor series. The country practice in Ballybucklebo continues to expand necessitating an increase in doctors. It takes place during the struggle in Ireland between the Catholics and the Protestants. Ballybucklebo is a mixture of both and set out to demonstrate that the two groups can live in harmony. The story also includes some personal triumphs in some of the doctor's lives. A satisfying read.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Jan Karon's Mitford series...You'll fall in love with the town of Ballybucklebo and it wonderful host of characters! Fingal, Kitty, Kinky, Barry, Sue, Donnal, and so many more loveable, quirky, caring characters! This book was not without sadness, hardship, and strife, but...in the end, all is well :) Because, if all is not well, then it is not the end. I'm already looking forward to the next installment on this series!

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020 bk 208. A gentle novel, a novel of every day life and the joys and angst of every day living - but shown between two different time periods, 1963 and 1969. In the long range of time, not much appears to be different, but for the main characters, it is the time between their final year of medical school education (residency for the U.S.) and the time when they have been in practice for awhile and are coming to know if they choose wisely. It is also the difference between life in a busy city and life in a small rural town. An enjoyable read, the author knows how to hook and then draw his audience in to his books.

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Lynnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm happy to say that this installment brings us back to what we've come to expect from Ballybucklebo and its residents.

[MTD · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader’s copy from Netgalley.

I’ve dipped in and out of this series over the years; Goodreads tells me I’ve read 6 of the main novels and 1 novella. The things I enjoy about the series are the consistency and depth of the character development, the Irish setting and the pace of life in the village. I also appreciate the author’s ability to tell a different story every time, though the rhythms of village life and the cast of characters change little. Those trends continue in this book and made it a pleasure to read. That said, the last two books I’ve read (13 and this one) seem to be veering more toward didacticism than holds my interest. Because the book isn’t published yet, I will keep it general: Some sections of the book, mostly descriptions of protocol, procedure and the process by which students become doctors, are dropped into the narrative without sufficient integration through character dialogue or thoughts. I find that pretty jarring and it gets in the way of the flow for me. This feels like a possible trend rather than a draft in need of polishing. This won’t stop me from reading further titles, but I’ll go back and read the older ones first, and probably wait for the published versions of the new ones.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely installment is the annals of Ballybucklebo. If this is your first exposure to Ballybucklebo and you find the town and its inhabitants charming, I strongly suggest to begin at the beginning and work your way through the entire series. If, like me, you follow Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, Barry Laverty, and company as though they were relatives, you will likely be content with the outcomes and looking forward to seeing our friends into the 1970’s. In some ways, Ballybucklebo has similarities with Gloccamoora or other made up Celtic villages - the people are charming, the land is beautiful, and their camaraderie is enviable. Unlike Gloccamoora, Ballybucklebo deals with real problems that faced remote small towns in every country. They lose their youth to big cities and to North America because of limited opportunity at home. They know one another’s business, and some bear grudges that are decades old. Their lives lack certain amenities that most of Patrick Taylor’s readers consider essential. To their credit, the folk of Ballybucklebo are resourceful, caring, funny, and down to earth.

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I am fine with Taylor's resolve not to hide from The Troubles. As I mentioned about the previous book, Ballybucklebo is NOT Brigadoon, and the things to come may not be pleasant, but they really happened.
and if you don't want to read about that, go back to Jan KaronMitford, which is set in the more recent world, but just enough so that it predates the current nasty world.
I can't help but wonder how Mitford is handling _rump, Black Lives Matter (considering the Louella is about the only black character and is pretty stereotypical) and corona virus.

What I am NOT okay with is the uneasy feeling that Taylor is merely churning these babies out to make more money, and is padding out the late 60s story with flashbacks to Barry Laverty's days in training. While with Fingal's story there was really something to tell, AND the flashbacks meshed smoothly with the more modern material, this stuff is pretty pointless.

I have a DRC of the latest book in this series and will be reading it, and hoping that Taylor can bounce back.

[Paula Dembeck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read each installment in this popular series that takes place in the sixties in Northern Ireland. Its focus is on the rural medical practice of Dr. Fingal O’Flaherty in the fictional town of Ballybucklebo. The town with the quirky name is a tightly knit community where everyone knows one another. The men meet regularly at the local pub to enjoy a pint, families regularly attend the religious services of their faith and although there may be occasional misunderstandings, everyone makes an effort to get along and look after one another.

Barry Laverty began his rural practice as a GP a few years ago as an assistant to Fingal, but now has a partnership in the practice. He settled in the area, married local teacher Sue Nolan and bought a home. The couple are now planning a family but are having difficulty conceiving a child.

In this installment, Taylor’s narrative moves between two time periods, with Barry looking back on his one-year internship at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital in 1963 before becoming a fully qualified physician and the second period with events in Ballybucklebo in 1969, a few years later.

In 1963, Barry begins his internship with his first assignment in Casualty and the Emergency Room. It is a busy place with large numbers of men, women and children lined up in the waiting room to be seen for minor ailments such as twisted ankles, cuts bruises and sore backs. They are not serious medical problems but require prompt attention. Occasionally an ambulance arrives and the doctors are diverted to handle an emergency. The experience is exhausting as Barry and his colleagues are faced with long lines of patients, work long shifts, miss meals and get little sleep. It is not an experience Barry enjoys, with little time allowed to get to know his patients before they are dispatched either home with bandages, medications and instructions on how care for themselves or admitted to the hospital for further care by the medical and nursing staff. His next rotation is on the medical unit where he has an exciting role on the cardiac team that is beginning to use the new defibrillator to manage cardiac arrests.

Barry’s experience as a houseman teaches him some difficult lessons. He learns there is a fine line between compassion and getting too close to his patients and to walk that line wisely and carefully. He also discovers what it is like to be at the other end of the stethoscope when he becomes ill himself and discovers how tough it is to be a doctor and a patient at the same time. The uncertainty of his diagnosis sends him into a tailspin and he learns a valuable lesson about a patient’s anxiety when faced with uncertainty. During this time Barry also solidifies his decision to direct his career to a rural medical practice where as a GP he can take the time to get to know his patients. He also learns what a busy career may cost him in relationships as a romance with a third-year nursing student ends because of his busy schedule, shift work and unexpected emergencies.

The second time period, which Taylor alternates with Barry’s past, occurs in 1969. It is a difficult time in Northern Ireland with sectarian violence becoming more prevalent as each day passes. Noisy marches evolve into riots, bombs explode destroying lives and property, there are sniper shootings and a general feeling of tension and unrest hangs in the air. The Protestant and Catholic villagers in Ballybucklebo still maintain good relationships with one another, led by the example of Reverend Robinson and the Catholic priest Father O’Toole who work together and model how despite their differences, they are all worshipping the same God.

Another initiative to further the idea of Catholics and Protestants living together peacefully has been started by Bertie Bishop. He is suggesting they open the local Sportsman Club to non-members on Saturday nights as a place everyone in the community can meet and enjoy each other’s company. They could hold dances, talent contests and band performances, charge admission and collect seed money to fund good causes such as sending children of both faiths to a summer camp. The only one objecting to this effort is Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Mullan, a new resident in town who has moved to the country to enjoy the quiet and write his memoirs. He doesn’t want the noise interrupting his work and has made a complaint to the county council. John MacNeil, the Marquis and president of the club, decides to meet with the Lieutenant to try and convince him to change his mind and discovers he may have some unexpected leverage to get the man to change his views.

There are also sections of the narrative which describe the work on Donal Donnelly’s cottage which was destroyed by fire and which the villagers are rebuilding. They plan to help the family move in and are organizing a welcoming home party to celebrate. Bertie Bishop would also like to work with Donal in the future and has a surprise in store for him.

These sections in the later part of the sixties also cover Fingal’s efforts to find employment for his latest trainee Emer McCarthy, whose time with him is quickly coming to an end. She is ready to begin an independent practice but so far is not having any luck finding a job. It also includes Barry’s care of Annie Galvin, a patient diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago and a young interfaith couple who want to marry. Barry and Sue meanwhile go through the difficult experience of trying to start a family, coping with visits to specialists and medical procedures, trying to uncover the problem. And then there is everyone’s favorite character Kinky, Fingal’s housekeeper and cook extraordinaire, who finds a gentle way to teach Maggie MacCorkle the proper way to make a plum cake without hurting her feelings.

These stories are always filled with humour, warm spirited feelings and philosophy about friendship, getting along and working together to make a better world. It always ends on a happy note with a “hooley”, a gathering with food and drink to which all are invited and during which Taylor ties up all the plot lines to present a pleasant end to his story.

Readers have different opinions about Taylor’s decision to describe two alternating time periods in the narrative. Some find the sections from the past have too many technical terms and medical information to be enjoyed. On the other hand, I found this the best section and was less impressed by the period in 1969 during which it seemed not much happened.

I do believe it may be a good time to end this series as there are probably few new stories left in Ballybucklebo. I have enjoyed their easy-going style, rustic charm and pleasant humour. They always have a happy ending and we all need some of those every once in a while.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a new book by Patrick Taylor. His delightful series centres on Dr. Fingal O’Reilly and his assistant, Dr. Barry Laverty who run a medical practice in the interesting Irish village of Ballybucklebo. This book shifts between Barry’s internship at a hospital in Northern Ireland in 1963 and his work in the village’s rural general practice in 1969. The author, Patrick Taylor, a doctor, was born and raised in Northern Ireland and practised in Northern Ireland and Canada. His books include real and fictional characters. In this book, one example is Dr. Geddes, with whom Taylor worked on portable cardiac defibrillators. In the author’s notes, he does say that he had Dr. Geddes vet the information in this novel. One theme running through this novel is the village efforts to encourage and maintain harmony between the Catholics and Protestants despite rising civil unrest in Northern Ireland. It would be best for one to start this series with the first novel, An Irish Country Doctor. Patrick Taylor resides on Saltspring Island, B.C.

[Merryellen Towey Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy the books in Patrick Taylor's Irish Country series. I've been to Irish villages that remind me a bit of Ballybucklebo. The people of the village are all connected and care about each other. There is a lot of humor, quite a bit of medical and historical information, and several good stories within one novel. It would definitely be best to read the books in the series in order as the story does carry over from one book to the next.

[Julian King · Rating 1 out of 5]

I find that I come to this series of Novels very late: as Dr Doctor Taylor so modestly takes care to tell us, through the voice of Mrs Maureen 'Kinky' Auchileck, one of his most charming characters, this is the FOURTEENTH occasion on which he has delighted us with his tales from the life of 'Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly'.

I am not sure as to the dramatic date of Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly's first appearance in the pages of the literature of Northern Ireland, but by Episode 14, we have reached 1969, and to prove it are presented with a veritable slew of real-life details, vividly bringing to life the author's hours spent online with newspaper archives of the period. But in Ballybucklebo it's good news: Catholics and Protestants get on so well here that before long, in the interests of political harmony, like Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, it's a case of 'Hey Kids, let's put the show on right here!'

I think that what Patrick Taylor has created here is one of the very sharpest parodies I have read in recent years. But it doesn't do the obvious, finding humour in the events and characters of North Down in the late 1960s: Taylor is much too clever for that. No, Taylor's target - and it's a bullseye every time - is the sentimental novelist of small-town nostalgia and feel-good blarney: he spikes him repeatedly, relentlessly, and utterly without mercy, until the reader can take it no longer. The writing is sheer, pitch-perfect bliss: no noun need feel the want of an adjective, no verb an adverb, no institution escapes mention without a potted wikipedia definition. And Taylor's take on lesser authors' tin-eared dialogue is delicious: it was in Chapter 3, when I came upon the following 'conversation' between two old friends (from their days as medical students at - where else? - Queen's University Belfast) that I really thought I'd died and gone to heaven:

"[My exams are] behind me now. One early basic sciences exam called the Primary, four years training under supervision after our houseman's year, then the big one in London, written papers, practical cases at Saint Bart's, then orals at the Royal College itself."
"And you passed. You can put FRCS, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, after your name, drop 'Doctor' and adopt the honorific 'Mister'."
Jack laughed. "All because of some mediaeval academic dispute between physicians who demanded to be called 'Doctor' and barber surgeons who had to make do with 'Mister'." ... and so on, and so on, and on, and on. Priceless.

As a child, I read an Enid Blyton bedtime story in which a lazy little boy was given garden chores to do during 'bob-a-job' week. To his dismay, the owner of the garden refused to pay him when he came to collect his 'bob'. It seemed that the boy had failed properly to stack the shelves: had he done so, he would have found the money hidden there; instead of washing each flower-pot, he had merely sprayed the pile with the hose - thus missing the money hidden amongst the pots; you get the idea.

Taylor is playing a similar game here: for lazy little boys who don't care to read this book with due care and attention, only bemused disappointment will result; but for the good scouts among us prepared to read it closely and to see it for what it is, the wondrous gift of laughter lies in store.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay! I have been a reader of Patrick Taylor's IRISH COUNTRY series sinec the first book, AN IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR. They carry the same warm, comfy vibe as the James Herriot books as well as the Miss Read books. They have in common that they are rambling tales of local people in specific locales, here it is the fictional village of Ballybucklebo, set in County Down, Northern Ireland. Most of the 13 previous books have rated a solid 3-stars; they are easy reads, they inform the reader about medical history and practice as it was 50+ years ago in a rural pocket of Ireland, lastly, they relate the foibles of recurring characters whom we come to know and care about. All that said, they hardly ever resonate deeply, at least, not with me. I enjoy them on a surface level and I know what to expect and don't really miss anything more profound.

Until now.

In book number 14, the author manages to strike several chords. Such as: love of family, as seen from several viewpoints and relationships, from parent-child, between siblings, husband-wife, and young lovers. Then he addresses the strife that can exist when division arises between convictions of religion, politics and nationalism. He also shows a way to strive to live together in harmony, yet with respect to conflicting opinions. He presents us with several serious diseases and the ways in which the medical community, through-out the world, is learning to combat them. Yet he doesn't shy away from the failures, frustrations and fears that persist. He touches on class and society issues. He pokes gentle fun at some of the characters to whom we can all relate and cast with faces from our own lives.

There are a few things the author still struggles with. Mainly, he remains very awkward in portraying women in love. He does fine with most of his female characterizations, but when it comes to romance, Mr. Taylor is out of his depth! I think he channels young Doctor Laverty's discomfort through his own.

One evolution that has come about in the overall plot of life in Ballybucklebo, has been the transformation of former enemies, the town bully ( Bertie Bishop) and the town clown (Donal Donelley) into the best of friends.

If you haven't read any of the other IRISH COUNTRY books, I believe this could stand alone anyway, but I recommend reading at least a few of the previous ones, if only to be able to truly appreciate this one!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Held on to this book for over a year-- just did not want to read it too soon, knowing that there is only one more book in the series. Taylor decided to stop because the time line had brought him to the turbulent Troubles and he did not want to ignore them, nor did he want his characters to become embroiled in them. So, in this book, he focuses on Barry Laverty's last year as Houseman alternately with is current status as a married man in Balleybucklebo. He and Sue are in the throes of seeming infertility and much of the advances in female medicine are explained as the tests and physician confersations ensue to determine why this young couple does not seem able to conceive.

Time is moving on for the residents and their families and friends in this volume. Some of our favorites die, some marry, some find new positions, others new homes but through it all the news of conflict between Catholics and Protestants cannot be ignored. Yet, the nastiness and violence of it has not reached this little village and the residents wish to celebrate their closeness and ability to rise above this difference. As one man tells his Protestant beau of his Catholic daughter, I cannot let the fact that our two families worship the same God in different ways come between you two. Not a direct quote but close enough to relay the gist of this story.

I've come to love these people and though my Catholic Irish grandmother and her son, my father, would not exactly share that sentiment, having a more personal experience with the British Protestants in their Irish life, I am removed from that and love the way Patrick Taylor has created a fictional place where all is serene and accepting. I will miss it and its inhabitants very much.
Now to the final book, alas!

[The Hobbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entry in the series started slowly with technical descriptions of Barry Laverty's last year in medical school as a houseman. Alternating chapters were set in 1969 when the Troubles were occurring in Northern Ireland. Ballybucklebo was spared the sectarian violence. In their village the Catholic priest, Father Hughes, and the Presbyterian minister, Rev Robinson, appeared at functions together. Loyalists and Republicans drank together at the Mucky Duck and the Sports Club. Mayor Bertie Bishop wants to show the rest of Ulster how the inhabitants of Ballybucklebo get along with each other. He proposes opening the private Sports Club to non-members each Saturday night for dances, talent shows, and other gatherings. Winning over detractors of the proposal becomes a focus of the book. Also Donal Donnelly and his family return to their newly built cottage after a devastating fire. The doctors in O'Reilly's practice deal with the illnesses of the village. Sue and Barry Laverty try to start a family. In flashbacks, Barry's final year in med school is highlighted by a special patient who becomes a good friend, Barry's own bout with a blood disease, and the decisions each of the medical students must make as they end their education. An idealized view of what Northern Ireland could have been in 1969 with a feel-good ending.

[Gail Amendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm several books behind in this series, so I decided to binge on the three most recent books to bring me up to date on the lives of my many friends in Ballybucklebo, Northern Ireland. This fourteenth installment in the series finds us in 1969. The Troubles in Northern Ireland continue, but not in Ballybucklebo, which prides itself on friendship and acceptance between the religions. In fact, the good citizens have decided to hold regular events to promote togetherness, and serve as an example to their countrymen. Along with this feel-good storyline, we also are treated to flashbacks six years prior, to Dr. Barry Laverty's internship days before he joined the medical practice in Ballybucklebo, and learn of some of the events that shaped the doctor he later became. The author even inserted himself as a character in this story line, or at least someone sharing his name and medical specialty. The only way I can describe these books is cozy, like wrapping up in a warm blanket by a fire with a warm drink. Perhaps that is why I keep coming back to this series in the dark days of winter. I'm ready to dive right into the next one to spend more time in simpler days with my old friends.

[Cheryle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this 14th entry in the Irish Doctor series because of the use of dual timelines. While they intersect into the building of a new doctor into one who is caring and careful the vehicle of dual timelines is disruptive to me and I am not a fan.
Before Doctor Barry Laverty joined Doctor Fingal O'Reilly's practice in the colorful Irish village of Ballybucklebo, he was an intern, working long hours, practicing new medical techniques, falling in love, and learning what is most important in the medical field for a family physician--the bonds of family, friendships, and human kindness.

Years later, Barry practices everything he has learned in Ballybucklebo, a lovely village where neighbor looks after neighbor. And while his own efforts to start a family with his wife Sue have been frustrated, the community around him couldn't be stronger as they work together to show their solidarity.

Shifting effortlessly between the two time periods, bestselling author Patrick Taylor continues the story of these beloved characters while vividly bringing the daily joys and struggles of this delightful Irish village to life.