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Irish Country #2
An Irish Country Village
Patrick Taylor first charmed readers with An Irish Country Doctor, a warm and enchanting novel in the tradition of James Herriot and Jan Karon. Now Taylor returns to the colorful Northern Ireland community of Ballybucklebo, where there's always something brewing beneath the village's deceptively sleepy surface.
Young Doctor Barry Laverty has only just begun his assistantship under his eccentric mentor, Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, but he already feels right at home in Ballybucklebo. When the sudden death of a patient casts a cloud over Barry's reputation, his chances of establishing himself in the village are endangered, especially since the grieving widow is threatening a lawsuit.
Not all their challenges are medical in nature. When a greedy developer sets his sights on the very heart of the community, the village pub, it's up to the doctors to save the Black Swan (affectionately known to the locals as the "Mucky Duck") from being turned into an overpriced tourist trap. After all, the good citizens of Ballybucklebo need some place to drink to each other's health….
Whether you've visited in the past, or are discovering Ballybucklebo for the first time, An Irish Country Village is an ideal location for anyone looking for wit, warmth, and just a touch of blarney.
Young Doctor Barry Laverty has only just begun his assistantship under his eccentric mentor, Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, but he already feels right at home in Ballybucklebo. When the sudden death of a patient casts a cloud over Barry's reputation, his chances of establishing himself in the village are endangered, especially since the grieving widow is threatening a lawsuit.
Not all their challenges are medical in nature. When a greedy developer sets his sights on the very heart of the community, the village pub, it's up to the doctors to save the Black Swan (affectionately known to the locals as the "Mucky Duck") from being turned into an overpriced tourist trap. After all, the good citizens of Ballybucklebo need some place to drink to each other's health….
Whether you've visited in the past, or are discovering Ballybucklebo for the first time, An Irish Country Village is an ideal location for anyone looking for wit, warmth, and just a touch of blarney.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
723 people are currently reading
3858 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Taylor
87 books1,371 followersThere 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...
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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 960 reviews
March 15, 2019
"Sometimes," he said, staring out the window, "I think I should just stick to doctoring but . . . this bloody place gets under your skin. You end up being part of it."
Yeah, yeah, I know these are stock characters:
- the inexperienced young doctor
- his crusty, older mentor
- the motherly housekeeper who keeps them both fed and clothed
- the villainous rich sod who values money over the well being of the town
- etc, etc . . .
(Really all that's missing is the hooker with the heart of gold!)
BUT, this was still a fun and charming, nostalgic waddle. If you long for the days when doctors made house calls, and there were no greedy insurance companies, OR even if you're just looking for a feel-good, comfort read - this could be the book for you.
Yeah, yeah, I know these are stock characters:
- the inexperienced young doctor
- his crusty, older mentor
- the motherly housekeeper who keeps them both fed and clothed
- the villainous rich sod who values money over the well being of the town
- etc, etc . . .
(Really all that's missing is the hooker with the heart of gold!)
BUT, this was still a fun and charming, nostalgic waddle. If you long for the days when doctors made house calls, and there were no greedy insurance companies, OR even if you're just looking for a feel-good, comfort read - this could be the book for you.
May 15, 2016
The effortless charm of the first book was not as present here, at least not in full. The characters were much the same, and often that was a lovely thing. The rhythms of the village and its small concerns are soothing and relaxing. I think Taylor started to hint at how fragile this peace is in this book, too, lest we not appreciate that low stakes and quiet as every interaction seems to be, for people with very little, the web of comfort these doctors weave is vitally necessary and helping to hold together something appears to be old and permanent, but is in fact in eternal danger, and always has been. I also don't think we appreciate realistic, emotionally stable characters enough when we see them- characters who seem like people we could actually encounter every day.
However, I think that Taylor's actual writing had more obvious problems here. The problems were often repetitive and the jokes even more so. He overexplains nearly everything, from humor to character motivations, that no one needs to have explained. His characters are realistically dated but occasionally in an off putting way that jolts you out of the idyllic atmosphere which, after all, is the book's major selling point. Many readers will also find Barry's preoccupation with a problem we have no doubt will work out a bit tiresome.
However, overall I don't regret reading it. I got what I signed up for- just not as well done as the last time. I'd be curious to see whether things improve as Taylor's series goes on and he got into a groove of writing one book a year, or got even more repetitive. I might try one more- the next one's a Christmas themed one so that excuse is probably going to be just too easy in a few months.
However, I think that Taylor's actual writing had more obvious problems here. The problems were often repetitive and the jokes even more so. He overexplains nearly everything, from humor to character motivations, that no one needs to have explained. His characters are realistically dated but occasionally in an off putting way that jolts you out of the idyllic atmosphere which, after all, is the book's major selling point. Many readers will also find Barry's preoccupation with a problem we have no doubt will work out a bit tiresome.
However, overall I don't regret reading it. I got what I signed up for- just not as well done as the last time. I'd be curious to see whether things improve as Taylor's series goes on and he got into a groove of writing one book a year, or got even more repetitive. I might try one more- the next one's a Christmas themed one so that excuse is probably going to be just too easy in a few months.
May 24, 2024
If you enjoyed An Irish Country Doctor; then you will no doubt love this continuation that starts less than a week after that book ends.
This is a tale of life in Northern Ireland in the 1960s. We follow new doctor, Barry Laverty, as he takes his first private practice job working for/with Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly in the colorful village of Ballybucklebo. The idiosyncrasies of each member of the village are on full display with both humor and sensitivity. The doctors slowly get to know each other, bonding over their mutual love of literature and care for their patients. There are births, injuries, internal plumbing disorders and even a case of myasthenia gravis. There are crises of the heart and commerce interspersed but all stirred with a significant amount of humor.
Young Dr. Laverty must establish his credibility in the community and his mentor, Dr. O’Reilly, gives him some advice on how to go about it. Each patient (resident of Ballybucklebo) is treated with a combination of medical and psychological insights.
An entertaining and cozy read.
This is a tale of life in Northern Ireland in the 1960s. We follow new doctor, Barry Laverty, as he takes his first private practice job working for/with Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly in the colorful village of Ballybucklebo. The idiosyncrasies of each member of the village are on full display with both humor and sensitivity. The doctors slowly get to know each other, bonding over their mutual love of literature and care for their patients. There are births, injuries, internal plumbing disorders and even a case of myasthenia gravis. There are crises of the heart and commerce interspersed but all stirred with a significant amount of humor.
Young Dr. Laverty must establish his credibility in the community and his mentor, Dr. O’Reilly, gives him some advice on how to go about it. Each patient (resident of Ballybucklebo) is treated with a combination of medical and psychological insights.
An entertaining and cozy read.
November 18, 2020
Book on CD narrated by John Keating
4****
Book two in the popular Irish Country Doctor series, relating the trials and tribulations of young Dr. Barry Laverty as he begins his practice as a country GP in the mid-1960s in Ballybucklebo, a fictitious community in Northern Ireland full of eccentric and memorable residents.
The entire book takes place over just a few weeks, immediately following the events of book one. Dr Laverty is faced with a possible malpractice suit, damaging his reputation and forcing him to return to apprentice role under senior physician Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly. That’s bad enough but his relationship with Patricia Spence has hit a snag. But their devoted housekeeper, Mrs Kincaid (a/k/a Kinky) assures young Barry that everything will work out.
Taylor has a gift for making his character so alive they fairly jump off the page. Whether the exuberance of a bellowing O’Reilly, or the quiet pleading of the elderly Sonny, I felt I knew these people. I also love the descriptions he gives of the landscape; makes me feels that I’ve actually been to Northern Ireland.
I came late to this party, having only read the first book last year. But I was completely delighted, and I’ll keep reading this series. They lift my heart and bring laughter into my world.
The audiobook is performed by the talented John Keating. Whether voicing O’Reilly, Patricia, Barry, Kinky or any of the many other characters, he brings them to life and gives each a unique voice. Fantastic performance!
4****
Book two in the popular Irish Country Doctor series, relating the trials and tribulations of young Dr. Barry Laverty as he begins his practice as a country GP in the mid-1960s in Ballybucklebo, a fictitious community in Northern Ireland full of eccentric and memorable residents.
The entire book takes place over just a few weeks, immediately following the events of book one. Dr Laverty is faced with a possible malpractice suit, damaging his reputation and forcing him to return to apprentice role under senior physician Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly. That’s bad enough but his relationship with Patricia Spence has hit a snag. But their devoted housekeeper, Mrs Kincaid (a/k/a Kinky) assures young Barry that everything will work out.
Taylor has a gift for making his character so alive they fairly jump off the page. Whether the exuberance of a bellowing O’Reilly, or the quiet pleading of the elderly Sonny, I felt I knew these people. I also love the descriptions he gives of the landscape; makes me feels that I’ve actually been to Northern Ireland.
I came late to this party, having only read the first book last year. But I was completely delighted, and I’ll keep reading this series. They lift my heart and bring laughter into my world.
The audiobook is performed by the talented John Keating. Whether voicing O’Reilly, Patricia, Barry, Kinky or any of the many other characters, he brings them to life and gives each a unique voice. Fantastic performance!
February 9, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This had an All Creatures Great and Small vibe to it, but instead of vets we follow two 1960's era GPs in a rural Irish village. Lovely enjoyable read.
May 3, 2008
This simple, absorbing book begins where the previous "An Irish Country Doctor" ended. Young Doctor Laverty, a recent medical school graduate, has decided to accept an apprenticeship with the crusty Fingal O'Reilly, GP. The WWI naval veteran and former Rugby star proves to be gruff and wise, yet uncommonly patient and intuitive with his eccentric "customers," psychic housekeeper, and petulent pets.
The residents of Ballybucklebo, a small, rustic community in mid-1960's County Down, are true Irish country folk, and proud of it. The good doctors O'Reilly and Laverty deal with the symptoms, both medical & cultural, of their small community with wit, wisdom and humor.
There are no explosions or car chases or political intrigue in Ballybucklebo. No murders or natural disasters. There are however, dogs that steal, cats that seem possessed, young men who dream, old women that scream, and some fine spirits to wash it all down. Mostly though, there's an abundance of the simple pleasures and treasures of life in a small Irish village.
The good news for fans of this warm and very Irish story is that the third book in the series, "An Irish Country Christmas," is due to be published in November 2008.
The residents of Ballybucklebo, a small, rustic community in mid-1960's County Down, are true Irish country folk, and proud of it. The good doctors O'Reilly and Laverty deal with the symptoms, both medical & cultural, of their small community with wit, wisdom and humor.
There are no explosions or car chases or political intrigue in Ballybucklebo. No murders or natural disasters. There are however, dogs that steal, cats that seem possessed, young men who dream, old women that scream, and some fine spirits to wash it all down. Mostly though, there's an abundance of the simple pleasures and treasures of life in a small Irish village.
The good news for fans of this warm and very Irish story is that the third book in the series, "An Irish Country Christmas," is due to be published in November 2008.
January 22, 2012
This second book in the series is much the same as the first – its slow and comfortable pace of storytelling reflecting that of life in Ballybucklebo. Not only that, the way the story is told gives readers the sense that everything will turn out ok in the end. If so, what is it about “An Irish Country Village” that makes it worth reading?
Sure, this book cannot compare with the mystery, paranormal and horror books in terms of excitement and thrills. The lack of solid, adrenaline-pumping action in "An Irish Country Village" bothered me a little at first. However, every genre has its own merits. As I settled down into the story proper, I enjoyed the warmth and humour of the Ballybucklebo life and its residents. The author gets into the characters very well, giving readers snapshots of their lives, habits and culture. Not only that, the author’s good insight into human character and emotions is eloquently expressed through his storytelling, so much so that everytime Dr Barry Levarty goes through the ups and downs in his professional and love life, I find myself nodding in empathy with his thoughts and feelings. The character of Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly also gave very practical and useful advice to Dr Laverty – words of wisdom which can apply to everyone in our real world. In fact, that is the thing I like best about this book.
I recommend this series for those who like a comforting read involving interesting and quirky characters. But for those who like action-packed books giving lots of thrills and chills, this book is a definite no-no! Exact rating : 3.5
Sure, this book cannot compare with the mystery, paranormal and horror books in terms of excitement and thrills. The lack of solid, adrenaline-pumping action in "An Irish Country Village" bothered me a little at first. However, every genre has its own merits. As I settled down into the story proper, I enjoyed the warmth and humour of the Ballybucklebo life and its residents. The author gets into the characters very well, giving readers snapshots of their lives, habits and culture. Not only that, the author’s good insight into human character and emotions is eloquently expressed through his storytelling, so much so that everytime Dr Barry Levarty goes through the ups and downs in his professional and love life, I find myself nodding in empathy with his thoughts and feelings. The character of Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly also gave very practical and useful advice to Dr Laverty – words of wisdom which can apply to everyone in our real world. In fact, that is the thing I like best about this book.
I recommend this series for those who like a comforting read involving interesting and quirky characters. But for those who like action-packed books giving lots of thrills and chills, this book is a definite no-no! Exact rating : 3.5
July 18, 2018
3.5
Another leisurely visit to the bucolic setting of Ballybucklebo, Ireland as Doctors O'Reilly and Laverty attend to both the medical and personal ills of the small town's residents. I could do without the step-by-step descriptions of the various medical procedures though. I could also do without Patricia, young Doctor Laverty's love interest. I'm hoping the new status quo signals a change for them. I listened to the audiobook for this one and the narrator did a great job, so much so that I'll likely continue with the series in that format.
Another leisurely visit to the bucolic setting of Ballybucklebo, Ireland as Doctors O'Reilly and Laverty attend to both the medical and personal ills of the small town's residents. I could do without the step-by-step descriptions of the various medical procedures though. I could also do without Patricia, young Doctor Laverty's love interest. I'm hoping the new status quo signals a change for them. I listened to the audiobook for this one and the narrator did a great job, so much so that I'll likely continue with the series in that format.
December 29, 2018
I enjoy these books a lot. They remind me a little of the TV series Doc Martin.
March 9, 2017
A continuation of the Irish Country Doctor. A down to earth novel full of human interest, occasional humor and the citizens of Ballybucklebo, Ireland.
June 5, 2022
Feel good o cozy es como se llaman ahora a estos libros que leo con una sonrisa en los labios y me dejan el corazón tranquilo y el alma feliz, que buena falta me hace.
Es la segunda parte de "Aventuras de un médico rural en Irlanda" que leí hace poco y os dejé un post en el que os contaba lo mucho que había disfrutado con esa lectura.
Pues con esta segunda parte me ha pasado lo mismo. Lo he disfrutado muchísimo. Una historia bonita, tranquila, sencilla, divertida, costumbrista y que te da pena terminar porque destila ternura, sensibilidad y dulzura.
El doctor Barry Laverty sigue en Ballybucklebo haciendo sus practicas como médico de familia con el doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. Todo va bien hasta que un paciente fallece y la viuda amenaza con demandarlo. Barry sufrirá lo indecible hasta que lleguen los resultados de la autopsia y tendrá que luchar para mantener en algunos casos y recuperar en otros la confianza de sus vecinos.
Siempre apoyado por el doctor O'Reilly y la siempre dispuesta señora Kincaid se verán inmersos en el dia a dia de esta aldea irlandesa ocupados en ayudar a sus vecinos cuidando de ellos y solucionando no sólo los problemas médicos que normalmente surgen sino todo tipo de problemas como un misterioso sarpullido, un embarazo conflictivo, el temor a que desaparezca el pub local o la rehabilitacion de una casa.
Una delicia.
Es la segunda parte de "Aventuras de un médico rural en Irlanda" que leí hace poco y os dejé un post en el que os contaba lo mucho que había disfrutado con esa lectura.
Pues con esta segunda parte me ha pasado lo mismo. Lo he disfrutado muchísimo. Una historia bonita, tranquila, sencilla, divertida, costumbrista y que te da pena terminar porque destila ternura, sensibilidad y dulzura.
El doctor Barry Laverty sigue en Ballybucklebo haciendo sus practicas como médico de familia con el doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. Todo va bien hasta que un paciente fallece y la viuda amenaza con demandarlo. Barry sufrirá lo indecible hasta que lleguen los resultados de la autopsia y tendrá que luchar para mantener en algunos casos y recuperar en otros la confianza de sus vecinos.
Siempre apoyado por el doctor O'Reilly y la siempre dispuesta señora Kincaid se verán inmersos en el dia a dia de esta aldea irlandesa ocupados en ayudar a sus vecinos cuidando de ellos y solucionando no sólo los problemas médicos que normalmente surgen sino todo tipo de problemas como un misterioso sarpullido, un embarazo conflictivo, el temor a que desaparezca el pub local o la rehabilitacion de una casa.
Una delicia.
July 20, 2016
This is the second book in the seven part series of "An Irish Country" books. This story begins where we left off in the last book. Dr. O'Reilly has offered to Dr. Laverty to become a partner in his practice. Dr. Laverty is becoming comfortable in the quaint town of Ballybucklebo, and his relationship with Patricia finds him head over heels "in love." Dr. O'Reilly's home is endearing. Both doctors and Mrs. Kinky Kinkaid live like an everyday family. Kinky scolding Dr. O'Reilly for eating too much dinner, and not saving anything for Dr. Laverty. As well as all the other family members -- nasty, white cat named Lady MacBeth; and Arthur Guiness, the beer drinking, wellington boots stealing, dog.
Unfortunately a patient dies unexpectedly and Dr. Laverty's reputation could be ruined, since the widow threatens to sue him. Dr. Laverty is concerned about his practice and about Patricia, who has applied for an engineering scholarship that would take her to Cambridge /England, putting more distance between them. The delivery of a baby to one woman, and the loss of a child to another gives the reader the perspective of what GPs went through in those days. Regarding the woman who lost her child, the story is so detailed that it is as though you are in the room with her and the doctor. It was heart breaking regarding the loss of her child. Dr. O'Reilly's residence is also his office and at times is a very busy place which reminds me of my pediatrician as a child. In the end, it is discovered that the greedy local councilor threatens to turn the Black Swan (a local pub) into a kitchi tourist trap. I look forward to the next book -- An Irish Country Christmas!
Unfortunately a patient dies unexpectedly and Dr. Laverty's reputation could be ruined, since the widow threatens to sue him. Dr. Laverty is concerned about his practice and about Patricia, who has applied for an engineering scholarship that would take her to Cambridge /England, putting more distance between them. The delivery of a baby to one woman, and the loss of a child to another gives the reader the perspective of what GPs went through in those days. Regarding the woman who lost her child, the story is so detailed that it is as though you are in the room with her and the doctor. It was heart breaking regarding the loss of her child. Dr. O'Reilly's residence is also his office and at times is a very busy place which reminds me of my pediatrician as a child. In the end, it is discovered that the greedy local councilor threatens to turn the Black Swan (a local pub) into a kitchi tourist trap. I look forward to the next book -- An Irish Country Christmas!
Read
July 17, 2010Last summer I enjoyed Taylor’s first book, An Irish Country Doctor. It was a hybrid of James Herriot (strong sense of place), Maeve Binchy (good character development), and Marcus Welby, MD. An Irish Country Village is a continuation of this story. A young doctor goes to a rural Irish village, Ballybucklebo, to apprentice with an older and experienced physician. The young doctor learns a lot about medicine, life, and the human spirit. Descriptions of the Irish countryside are wonderful and there’s a lot of humor mixed in along the way.
Recently I listened to an interview with Patrick Taylor on NPR. It made me a bit curious about him so I found his webpage which led me to an interview with him that is available on YouTube. The webpage includes the same humor as the books: "So, you’ve found my home page. Come in and make yourself at home. It’s a pity I can’t pour you a pint, but I can tell you what you can find in here. There’s a bit about meself, mostly lies written by a publicist, but sure flattery will get you anywhere. If you’d like to know more about my novels about Ballybucklebo, Doctors Laverty and O’Reilly, and the rest of the eejits who live there, there’s stuff about that."
Watch for An Irish Country Christmas later this year and An Irish Country Ghost Story next year. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
From ICPL Staff Picks Blog
Recently I listened to an interview with Patrick Taylor on NPR. It made me a bit curious about him so I found his webpage which led me to an interview with him that is available on YouTube. The webpage includes the same humor as the books: "So, you’ve found my home page. Come in and make yourself at home. It’s a pity I can’t pour you a pint, but I can tell you what you can find in here. There’s a bit about meself, mostly lies written by a publicist, but sure flattery will get you anywhere. If you’d like to know more about my novels about Ballybucklebo, Doctors Laverty and O’Reilly, and the rest of the eejits who live there, there’s stuff about that."
Watch for An Irish Country Christmas later this year and An Irish Country Ghost Story next year. ~~Enjoy~~ --Kara
From ICPL Staff Picks Blog
August 4, 2009
This was a delightful read! The author, Patrick Taylor, introduces you to the loving, quirky, wise villagers of Ballybucklebo, Ireland. This novel (borrowing from the book jacket)is "in the tradition of James Herriot and Jan Karon". The story goes something like this; Barry Laverty, a young doctor, has just begun his assistantship under Dr.Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly in the village of Ballybucklebo, Ireland. To say Dr.O'Reilly is a bit unorthodox and even eccentric is putting it mildly. He is also a wise and learned GP. A patient of Dr.Laverty's dies unexpectedly and endangers Dr.Laverty's infant-like relationship with his new patients. He is forced to await the results of postmortem tests that will hopefully exonerate him from any wrong doing and at the same time re-establish his credibility with the community one patient at a time. This book is full of Irish wit and witticisms. Absolutely a delight to read.
May 21, 2020
An entertaining, sweet book.
January 5, 2021
It is just a nice book to relax with.
May 15, 2024
Charming, effortless but very enjoyable read.
At this point, I can clearly picture the cast of delightful characters. A wonderful series to become engrossed in!!
At this point, I can clearly picture the cast of delightful characters. A wonderful series to become engrossed in!!
February 6, 2023
Really enjoying listening to this series!
December 26, 2024
I want 1 million more
March 4, 2010
Reading for the group, We Love Lisa Kleypas, Reading Challenge for March 2010... All Things Irish. This is my 2nd book of the challenge. Categories that the book falls in to: "Ireland" as the setting, "Green" in the cover art, "Irish" characters in the story, and "Patrick" in the author's name.
To be a part of this challenge, go to All Things Irish Challenge.
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DNF. This is not my type of book. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would love it, but not me. It seems to be a snapshot of a small town in Ireland and the people who live there. Too slow for me to listen to (without falling asleep) on my way to/from work every day.
To be a part of this challenge, go to All Things Irish Challenge.
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DNF. This is not my type of book. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would love it, but not me. It seems to be a snapshot of a small town in Ireland and the people who live there. Too slow for me to listen to (without falling asleep) on my way to/from work every day.
July 6, 2017
Although this story was very entertaining and lovely in it's own way, I found that the excessive cussing and misuse of the Lord's name distasteful. I'm sure in part the use of such language is just the way that Ulstermen talk, but I still found it too much. Also distasteful were the normalcy of pre-marital adultery and some bedroom humor. Other than these things, the story was very interesting. It was exciting to see the day-to-day lives of two country doctors in Ireland during the '60s. The writing was engaging, although initially was difficult to get into (which may be due to the fact that I've not read the first one).
February 15, 2019
dit boek begint letterlijk daar waar het eerste deel stopte en toch zou het idd prima los te lezen zijn.
maar toch ben ik blij dat ik ze beiden (en in de juiste volgorde) gelezen heb.
Het is moeilijk uit te leggen waarom het boek zo boeit want echt veel gebeuren doet er niet maar anderzijds zit het boek zo vol kleine dingen dat het wel betekenisvol is.
Het gaat letterlijk over het leven van 2 plattelandsdokters in 1964. Kleine dingen, minder kleine dingen maar gewoon het leven zoals het toen was. En dat,.... dat leest als een trein.
maar toch ben ik blij dat ik ze beiden (en in de juiste volgorde) gelezen heb.
Het is moeilijk uit te leggen waarom het boek zo boeit want echt veel gebeuren doet er niet maar anderzijds zit het boek zo vol kleine dingen dat het wel betekenisvol is.
Het gaat letterlijk over het leven van 2 plattelandsdokters in 1964. Kleine dingen, minder kleine dingen maar gewoon het leven zoals het toen was. En dat,.... dat leest als een trein.
December 27, 2019
I haven't fallen in love with a series like this in years. As good as (or even better than) "All Creatures Great and Small"! I am an RN and I must say that the medical details are spot on. I love both the print books (because of the Irish glossary and recipes at the back), but I also LOVE the audible versions for the great dialects! Possibly THE best audiobook I've ever listened to. I love these books so much that I do both the print AND audio versons of each! I am so delighted that there are 13 or so books in the series!
June 4, 2022
A simple, sweet story at a leisurely pace, set in a rural Irish village. Things seem much easier then (in the 60s) with 1 doctor taking care of pediatrics, gynaecology, orthopedics, dermatology, ophthalmology etc. It was interesting how the 2 docs went about their business, diagnosing various ailments and reaching out to specialists only when absolutely required.
July 9, 2019
Such a fun book, and read by someone with a great Irish accent. I can't wait to listen to all the other audiobooks. My only complaint is that there's not much of a plot except Barry just living his life. Luckily, it's a hilarious and endearing life, so I don't mind over much.
May 21, 2020
These books do have a Jan Karin's "Mitford" kind of vibe, but Father Tim never witnessed, much less treated, an old man with a prostate issue, or gritty childbirth straight out of "Call the Midwife." These books are about 2 doctors serving their community. Bear that in mind when reading them
February 20, 2018
I am really just loving this series so far. So cute & makes me chuckle often. Audio book reader is fantastic.
October 26, 2018
I couldn’t finish because of the language. It could be such a wonderful book (I love the stories), but the swearing was too much for my taste.
July 28, 2023
Go on and chase yourself . It was a grand wee yarn, so it was !
I’m looking for ward to the next
I’m looking for ward to the next
August 9, 2020
Stars: 4 / 5
Recommendation: A pleasant sequel into the lives of two Irish Country Doctors, making their mark in the lives of the village people while taking care of them. An easy read, pleasant with less dangers however, weaved with surprises in handling various human nature, entertaining the readers thoroughly.
Happy National Book Lover's Day! For this book day, I am posting the next book in this cute little series that is getting charmer and charmer as the series progresses.
An Irish Country Village is the second book in the historical fiction, Irish Country Series, written by Patrick Taylor. first published February of 2008. The plot begins the day after where the story in the first book, An Irish Country Doctor ends (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...).
The series is set in the fictional village, Ballybucklebo, in rural Northern Island, in the late 1960s, based on some of music of that time that the author refers to in the book. It follows the life and adventures of the novice doctor, Dr. Barry Laverty, and his partner and boss, Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly.
While writing the review of the first book, I had mentioned that the two doctors - O'Reilly and Laverty - and their practice in a rural town, all reminded me of my father's second brother, who used to be an RMP (Rural Medical Practitioner) doctor himself in a little village he lived in India. He is no more now, but I have tons of memories of him.
However, while reading this second book, if not the plot, the doctors reminded me of Doctor Lucien Blake from The Doctor Blake Mysteries, an Australian television show set in late 1950s, which I started watching recently. A series that has the titular character working with the local law enforcement to solve murders and mysterious cases. You can find more about that series here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doc....
All seems to be going well for Dr. Laverty as Dr. O'Reilly's apprentice and potential prospect of becoming his partner in near future. Then their one-time patient, Major Fotheringham passes away, and the entire town of Ballybucklebo thinks Dr. Laverty's hand has a curse. Now he has to work doubly hard to re-cultivate the lost bridges; create confidence again; and bring back their patients before they lose their practice. And that is not all they face. Rest of the plot continues on how the two doctors work in tandem to save their practice and their village too.
Dr. Laverty is seen settling into his role of the country GP at Ballybucklebo; his love life proceeding along peacefully and happily. Dr. O'Reilly pleased and happy with having an assistant to share his burdens. And the rest of the Ballybuklebo moves on with it's ups and downs; some funny, some tragic, some expectant and some unexpected. Patrick weaves a pleasant tale around this fictional village and it's inhabitants.
It is so easy to fall in love with the village and people, for the resemble your everyday life; people who you might have come across daily; or incidents from your very own life. A different kind of fiction for me, I must say, that only keeps charming me at every turn of the page.
The author uses plenty of Ulster language weaved in with regular Irish / British English. With the glossary he provides at the end of the book, explains several of the Ulster dialect, it's phrases and idioms. He also weaves some idioms and phrases from Irish English as well within.
Patrick's love for literature and entertainment comes across clearly by the way he infuses the dialogues by both the doctors in the plot quoting lines from poems, novels and movies, referencing TV Shows, at every turn of the page. This definitely added more weight to the humor layer.
Hidden behind that humor, he shows how the two doctors address serious issues that come their way - a difficult delivery; an abortion; a rash caused by sheer tension for which no cure they can give; an accident on a rainy night calls for quick treatments on the fly; and saving the town from a selfish and stingy town councilor. During the process he manages to give the doctors solutions to their own problems.
This book however, is plain history mingled with life's truths, set in a time when modern medicine and technology progress was just beginning. New inventions of modern medicine are clearly seen. And future inventions and discoveries are hoped for - for instant Dr. O'Reilly wishes for someone to create a wireless phone like the one they used on battleships, but the long range so its easier to get messages from patients.
The love for Bushmills Irish Whiskey that Dr. O'Reilly has and rubs it onto Dr. Laverty in the book comes close to my love for this whiskey. Although I don’t drink anymore, it is still one of my favorites too. Incidentally in the book it is shown that the whiskey is made in Bushmills distillery in County Atrim, the next county from where the book is set in. And indeed there is an oldest Bushmills Distillery along the north coast of Ireland. More can be found about it here: https://bushmills.com/distillery/
Aptly to bring it up, the only local joint that the town of Ballybucklebo has is a bar called The Black Swan AKA The Mucky Duck or simply The Duck. Recently I was watching another of the British TV Series, Shakespeare and Hathaway, about a pair of private investigators and their cases (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakesp...). The town they live in has a bar called The Mucky Mallard. Although not exactly named the same, both bars reminded me of each other.
As with the last book, Patrick included three Ulster recipes at the end of this book - two non-meat kind and one meat kind. I am tempted to try one of the non-meat recipes in my kitchen. May be I will. I am yet to try the ones from the previous books. If I do, you may as well see about them in my blog.
A pleasant sequel into the lives of two Irish Country Doctors, making their mark in the lives of the village people while taking care of them. An easy read, pleasant with less dangers however, weaved with surprises in handling various human nature, entertaining the readers thoroughly.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Donal talks about watching an American movie in which all the villagers rally together to raise a bar. Having recently watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I am guessing Donal is referring to that film.
b. Patricia Spence completes her exam and wins a seat at the prestigious Cambridge Architectural college.
c. Seems to be a history between Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly and Sister Caitlin "Kitty" O'Hallorhan, which they seem to resume in this book.
d. Sonny and Maggie get married at the ripe age of 60 years.
e. Author has several references to literature and entertainment in this book:
i. Books - The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton; Treasure Island; Hamlet; Tweedledum and Tweedledee from Through the Looking Glass; The Cry and the Covenant by Morton Thompson; Of Revenge, an essay by Sir Francis Bacon; Woman's Own Magazine; Bram Stoker's Dracula; Tennyson's Ulysses, Charge of the Light Brigde; James Bond novel From Russia with Love; Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (specially about Turtle Soup in Chapter 10); C. S. Forester's Hornblower books;
ii. Music - The Beatles; The Rolling Stones; I'm a Freeborn Man by Liam Clancy; The Galway Races by The Dubliners; My Lagan Love; The Mountains of Mourne by Percy French; Forty Shades of Green by Johnny Cash; Lord Cornwallis' ballad The World Turned Upside Down; old Irish song Maid in a Garret; Irish song The Star of County Down;
iii. Movies / Plays - 1958 film South Pacific alluding to the song Some Enchanted Evening with the specific lines "Once you have found her, never let her go,"; 1954 film White Christmas; 1964 My Fair Lady (Barry watches it while waiting for Patricia); 1964 A Hard Day's Night (Beatles movie); 1963 film The Great Escape (imagine Arthur Guinness the dog cast as in the role of Tunnel King portrayed by Charles Bronson in the film!, Hilarious!); The Old Bachelor (1693) and The Mourning Bride (1697) by William Congreve;
iv. TV / Radio: The Goon Show;
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Dr. O'Reilly's family - Mrs. "Kinky" Kincaid, the housekeeper; Arthur Guinness, his very enthusiastic dog.
b. Dr. Barry's friends and family - Jack Mills, his friend at Campbell College; Patricia Spence, love interest; colleagues from Royal Victoria Hospital where he worked before (Mandy, nurse's unit clerk; Professor Malcolm Faulkner, his previous boss; Doctor Bereen; Connie, cafeteria cashier; Harry Sloan, pathologist; Dr. Ruth, Professor Charley Greer);
c. Other characters: Archibald Auchinleck, the mailman & his son Rory; Donal Donnelly & Julie MacAteer; Maggie MacCorkle & Sonny, & General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, Maggie's one-eyed cat; Councillor Bertie Bishop & his wife Florence; Seamus & Maureen Galvin, their infant boy Barry Fingal Galvin; Mrs. Brown & her son Colin; Fergus Finnegan, a jockey; Paddy & Myrtle MacVeigh, their brood Peter, Lucy, three triplets named Three Rhythm Boys; Kieran & Ethel O'Hagan; Declan & Melanie Finnegan; Helen Hewitt; Miss Moloney, owner of Ballybucklebo Botique; Will Dunleavy & his daughter Mary, run the local pub The Black Swan aka "the Mucky Duck"; Hughey & Doreen; Mr. Coffin, the village mortician; Miss Haggerty, district midwife; Captain O'Brien-Kelly; Turlough Donnelly, Donal's brother; The Marquis of Ballubucklebo & his son Sen; Honest Sammy Dolan; Constable Mulligan; Agnus Arbuthnot;
3. Grammatical / Character / Location / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 144, Line 9 from bottom, there is a missing closing quote right before "said Jack"
b. The original lines from the poem Turtle Soup by Lewis Carroll are "Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!". But on Pg. 315, Line 1 from bottom, Dr. O'Reilly phrases it as "Soup of the noontime, beautiful Soup!". Is he parodying the poem? Or did Patrick erred?
c. On Pg. 329, Dr. O'Reilly quotes "Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn'd" to which Dr. Barry automatically responds "Congreve. The Old Bachelor". But he quote is from the 1967 play The Mourning Bride, again by William Congreve.
d. On Pg. 338, Line 2 from bottom, missing the opening quote before "Thanks for the call"
Recommendation: A pleasant sequel into the lives of two Irish Country Doctors, making their mark in the lives of the village people while taking care of them. An easy read, pleasant with less dangers however, weaved with surprises in handling various human nature, entertaining the readers thoroughly.
Happy National Book Lover's Day! For this book day, I am posting the next book in this cute little series that is getting charmer and charmer as the series progresses.
An Irish Country Village is the second book in the historical fiction, Irish Country Series, written by Patrick Taylor. first published February of 2008. The plot begins the day after where the story in the first book, An Irish Country Doctor ends (https://inspirethoughts.livejournal.c...).
The series is set in the fictional village, Ballybucklebo, in rural Northern Island, in the late 1960s, based on some of music of that time that the author refers to in the book. It follows the life and adventures of the novice doctor, Dr. Barry Laverty, and his partner and boss, Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly.
While writing the review of the first book, I had mentioned that the two doctors - O'Reilly and Laverty - and their practice in a rural town, all reminded me of my father's second brother, who used to be an RMP (Rural Medical Practitioner) doctor himself in a little village he lived in India. He is no more now, but I have tons of memories of him.
However, while reading this second book, if not the plot, the doctors reminded me of Doctor Lucien Blake from The Doctor Blake Mysteries, an Australian television show set in late 1950s, which I started watching recently. A series that has the titular character working with the local law enforcement to solve murders and mysterious cases. You can find more about that series here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Doc....
All seems to be going well for Dr. Laverty as Dr. O'Reilly's apprentice and potential prospect of becoming his partner in near future. Then their one-time patient, Major Fotheringham passes away, and the entire town of Ballybucklebo thinks Dr. Laverty's hand has a curse. Now he has to work doubly hard to re-cultivate the lost bridges; create confidence again; and bring back their patients before they lose their practice. And that is not all they face. Rest of the plot continues on how the two doctors work in tandem to save their practice and their village too.
Dr. Laverty is seen settling into his role of the country GP at Ballybucklebo; his love life proceeding along peacefully and happily. Dr. O'Reilly pleased and happy with having an assistant to share his burdens. And the rest of the Ballybuklebo moves on with it's ups and downs; some funny, some tragic, some expectant and some unexpected. Patrick weaves a pleasant tale around this fictional village and it's inhabitants.
It is so easy to fall in love with the village and people, for the resemble your everyday life; people who you might have come across daily; or incidents from your very own life. A different kind of fiction for me, I must say, that only keeps charming me at every turn of the page.
The author uses plenty of Ulster language weaved in with regular Irish / British English. With the glossary he provides at the end of the book, explains several of the Ulster dialect, it's phrases and idioms. He also weaves some idioms and phrases from Irish English as well within.
Patrick's love for literature and entertainment comes across clearly by the way he infuses the dialogues by both the doctors in the plot quoting lines from poems, novels and movies, referencing TV Shows, at every turn of the page. This definitely added more weight to the humor layer.
Hidden behind that humor, he shows how the two doctors address serious issues that come their way - a difficult delivery; an abortion; a rash caused by sheer tension for which no cure they can give; an accident on a rainy night calls for quick treatments on the fly; and saving the town from a selfish and stingy town councilor. During the process he manages to give the doctors solutions to their own problems.
This book however, is plain history mingled with life's truths, set in a time when modern medicine and technology progress was just beginning. New inventions of modern medicine are clearly seen. And future inventions and discoveries are hoped for - for instant Dr. O'Reilly wishes for someone to create a wireless phone like the one they used on battleships, but the long range so its easier to get messages from patients.
The love for Bushmills Irish Whiskey that Dr. O'Reilly has and rubs it onto Dr. Laverty in the book comes close to my love for this whiskey. Although I don’t drink anymore, it is still one of my favorites too. Incidentally in the book it is shown that the whiskey is made in Bushmills distillery in County Atrim, the next county from where the book is set in. And indeed there is an oldest Bushmills Distillery along the north coast of Ireland. More can be found about it here: https://bushmills.com/distillery/
Aptly to bring it up, the only local joint that the town of Ballybucklebo has is a bar called The Black Swan AKA The Mucky Duck or simply The Duck. Recently I was watching another of the British TV Series, Shakespeare and Hathaway, about a pair of private investigators and their cases (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakesp...). The town they live in has a bar called The Mucky Mallard. Although not exactly named the same, both bars reminded me of each other.
As with the last book, Patrick included three Ulster recipes at the end of this book - two non-meat kind and one meat kind. I am tempted to try one of the non-meat recipes in my kitchen. May be I will. I am yet to try the ones from the previous books. If I do, you may as well see about them in my blog.
A pleasant sequel into the lives of two Irish Country Doctors, making their mark in the lives of the village people while taking care of them. An easy read, pleasant with less dangers however, weaved with surprises in handling various human nature, entertaining the readers thoroughly.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Plot Reveals:
a. Donal talks about watching an American movie in which all the villagers rally together to raise a bar. Having recently watched Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, I am guessing Donal is referring to that film.
b. Patricia Spence completes her exam and wins a seat at the prestigious Cambridge Architectural college.
c. Seems to be a history between Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly and Sister Caitlin "Kitty" O'Hallorhan, which they seem to resume in this book.
d. Sonny and Maggie get married at the ripe age of 60 years.
e. Author has several references to literature and entertainment in this book:
i. Books - The Anatomy of Melancholy by Robert Burton; Treasure Island; Hamlet; Tweedledum and Tweedledee from Through the Looking Glass; The Cry and the Covenant by Morton Thompson; Of Revenge, an essay by Sir Francis Bacon; Woman's Own Magazine; Bram Stoker's Dracula; Tennyson's Ulysses, Charge of the Light Brigde; James Bond novel From Russia with Love; Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (specially about Turtle Soup in Chapter 10); C. S. Forester's Hornblower books;
ii. Music - The Beatles; The Rolling Stones; I'm a Freeborn Man by Liam Clancy; The Galway Races by The Dubliners; My Lagan Love; The Mountains of Mourne by Percy French; Forty Shades of Green by Johnny Cash; Lord Cornwallis' ballad The World Turned Upside Down; old Irish song Maid in a Garret; Irish song The Star of County Down;
iii. Movies / Plays - 1958 film South Pacific alluding to the song Some Enchanted Evening with the specific lines "Once you have found her, never let her go,"; 1954 film White Christmas; 1964 My Fair Lady (Barry watches it while waiting for Patricia); 1964 A Hard Day's Night (Beatles movie); 1963 film The Great Escape (imagine Arthur Guinness the dog cast as in the role of Tunnel King portrayed by Charles Bronson in the film!, Hilarious!); The Old Bachelor (1693) and The Mourning Bride (1697) by William Congreve;
iv. TV / Radio: The Goon Show;
2. Sub-Plots:
a. Dr. O'Reilly's family - Mrs. "Kinky" Kincaid, the housekeeper; Arthur Guinness, his very enthusiastic dog.
b. Dr. Barry's friends and family - Jack Mills, his friend at Campbell College; Patricia Spence, love interest; colleagues from Royal Victoria Hospital where he worked before (Mandy, nurse's unit clerk; Professor Malcolm Faulkner, his previous boss; Doctor Bereen; Connie, cafeteria cashier; Harry Sloan, pathologist; Dr. Ruth, Professor Charley Greer);
c. Other characters: Archibald Auchinleck, the mailman & his son Rory; Donal Donnelly & Julie MacAteer; Maggie MacCorkle & Sonny, & General Sir Bernard Law Montgomery, Maggie's one-eyed cat; Councillor Bertie Bishop & his wife Florence; Seamus & Maureen Galvin, their infant boy Barry Fingal Galvin; Mrs. Brown & her son Colin; Fergus Finnegan, a jockey; Paddy & Myrtle MacVeigh, their brood Peter, Lucy, three triplets named Three Rhythm Boys; Kieran & Ethel O'Hagan; Declan & Melanie Finnegan; Helen Hewitt; Miss Moloney, owner of Ballybucklebo Botique; Will Dunleavy & his daughter Mary, run the local pub The Black Swan aka "the Mucky Duck"; Hughey & Doreen; Mr. Coffin, the village mortician; Miss Haggerty, district midwife; Captain O'Brien-Kelly; Turlough Donnelly, Donal's brother; The Marquis of Ballubucklebo & his son Sen; Honest Sammy Dolan; Constable Mulligan; Agnus Arbuthnot;
3. Grammatical / Character / Location / Geographical / Historical / Mythological Errors:
a. On Pg. 144, Line 9 from bottom, there is a missing closing quote right before "said Jack"
b. The original lines from the poem Turtle Soup by Lewis Carroll are "Soup of the evening, beautiful Soup!". But on Pg. 315, Line 1 from bottom, Dr. O'Reilly phrases it as "Soup of the noontime, beautiful Soup!". Is he parodying the poem? Or did Patrick erred?
c. On Pg. 329, Dr. O'Reilly quotes "Nor hell a fury, like a woman scorn'd" to which Dr. Barry automatically responds "Congreve. The Old Bachelor". But he quote is from the 1967 play The Mourning Bride, again by William Congreve.
d. On Pg. 338, Line 2 from bottom, missing the opening quote before "Thanks for the call"
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