Publication
New York : Forge, a Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2014.
Collection
Call number
Fiction T
Physical description
446 p.; 21 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
"Fans of Taylor's bestselling Irish Country novels know Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly as the irascible senior partner of a general practice in the colorful Irish village of Ballybucklebo. Newly married to his once long-lost sweetheart, he's ready to settle into domestic bliss, but there's always something requiring his attention, be it a riding accident, a difficult patient with a worrisome heart condition, a spot of grouse-hunting, or even some tricky shenanigans at the local dog races. The everyday complications of village life are very different from the challenges Fingal faced nearly thirty years earlier, when fresh out of medical school, the young Dr. O'Reilly accepts a post at the Aungier Street Dispensary, tending to the impoverished denizens of Dublin's tenement slums. Yet even as he tries to make a difference, Fingal's tireless devotion to his patients may cost him his own true love.... Shifting back and forth between the present and the past, Patrick Taylor's captivating new novel brings to life both the green young man O'Reilly once was and the canny village doctor readers have come to know and admire"--… (more)
Subjects
Series
User reviews
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
This isn't a great work of literature but it is very enjoyable. Just the thing to read as winter sets in.
Dr. Taylor has now written 8 books about the Irish G.P., Fingal O'Reilly, who practises in a fictional small town, Ballybucklebo, in Northern Ireland. O'Reilly got married to his first love,
Dr. Taylor has a great ear for the various Irish accents and that made it seem like I was sitting right in Ireland (wish I was). The Irish do have a wonderful way with words. I didn't discover until I finished the book that Taylor has included a lengthy glossary of the words that North American audiences might not be familiar with. There are also a few recipes from Mrs. Kincaid, O'Reilly's wonderful cook.
Very enjoyable.
Dr. Taylor has now written 8 books about the Irish G.P., Fingal O'Reilly, who practises in a fictional small town, Ballybucklebo, in Northern Ireland. O'Reilly got married to his first love,
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Kitty O'Halloran, in the previous book to this one (which I haven't read). They dated in Dublin just after O'Reilly qualified as a doctor in 1936. Fingal went to practise with confirmed bachelor, Dr. Corrigan, who operated as a dispensary doctor in the slums of Dublin. Something happened between Kitty and Fingal and they parted until they met and married thirty years later. In this book we finally learn what went on in Dublin so long ago but we also keep tabs on the happenings in Ballybucklebo in 1965. It would have been helpful if the chapters would have had the date at the beginning. Sometimes it wasn't immediately clear if the chapter was in the past in Dublin or later in Ballybucklebo. However, that is a minor quibble.Dr. Taylor has a great ear for the various Irish accents and that made it seem like I was sitting right in Ireland (wish I was). The Irish do have a wonderful way with words. I didn't discover until I finished the book that Taylor has included a lengthy glossary of the words that North American audiences might not be familiar with. There are also a few recipes from Mrs. Kincaid, O'Reilly's wonderful cook.
Very enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member scoutmomskf
It has been awhile since my last visit to Ballbucklebo, and being there again was lovely. This book hops back and forth between Fingal in his current life and Fingal as a new doctor working in the slums of Dublin. The transitions are handled smoothly, with each trip to the past instigated by
In the portions that take place in Dublin, Fingal has taken a post as a GP (general practitioner), helping an older doctor in the Liberties section of Dublin. The poverty and disease there are terrible and Fingal feels a calling to help alleviate as much as he can. As we have seen in previous books, Fingal's personality is such that he gets deeply involved in the lives of his patients. I loved the way that each one was brought to life, making me feel as if I were standing right at his elbow watching what happens. Fingal also stays close to his medical school friends, which include fun times and also times of great intensity. There are also some interesting bits of medical history slipped in, such as the development of antibiotics and the enormous difference they make, and the later advances in cardiology, such as the invention of the portable defibrillator. On a personal side, Fingal's romance with Kitty continues, but it isn't all smooth sailing. In the end, we finally find out what parted them for so many years.
Back in Ballbucklobo, Fingal and Kitty are back from their honeymoon and settling into married life. It's really sweet to see how happy they are together. Fingal is settling back into his practice after being away on his honeymoon, and catching up on the lives of his patients and neighbors. Besides the day to day illnesses, there are a few more intense moments. A riding accident that causes a broken leg, a mysterious chest pain, and heart trouble for our irascible councilman bring a bit of excitement to the practice.
While Dr. Barry Laverty is away, studying to be an OB/GYN, Fingal has a temporary doctor helping out. She's a lovely young lady doctor, which has some of the residents pretty stirred up. It's a reminder that female doctors were few and far between, and not always readily accepted. I enjoyed seeing Jenny win people over. Fingal is torn because, if Barry elects to return to Ballbucklebo, he will have to let Jenny go, as there isn't enough business for three doctors. As he is a man who likes to fix things, he agonizes over what to do. There's an interesting twist to the end that solves everyone's problems.
Also running through the modern side of the story is housekeeper "Kinky" Kincaid's romance with the local milkman. Their courtship was sweet and I loved following along. There's a great scene with Kinky confessing her worry over what would happen to the household if she marries and leaves the O'Reillys. I also loved her sweetheart's conversation with Fingal near the end of the book.
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next four books and catching up. Some of them cover his time in the navy and I can't wait to read all about it.
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something that is happening in the present.In the portions that take place in Dublin, Fingal has taken a post as a GP (general practitioner), helping an older doctor in the Liberties section of Dublin. The poverty and disease there are terrible and Fingal feels a calling to help alleviate as much as he can. As we have seen in previous books, Fingal's personality is such that he gets deeply involved in the lives of his patients. I loved the way that each one was brought to life, making me feel as if I were standing right at his elbow watching what happens. Fingal also stays close to his medical school friends, which include fun times and also times of great intensity. There are also some interesting bits of medical history slipped in, such as the development of antibiotics and the enormous difference they make, and the later advances in cardiology, such as the invention of the portable defibrillator. On a personal side, Fingal's romance with Kitty continues, but it isn't all smooth sailing. In the end, we finally find out what parted them for so many years.
Back in Ballbucklobo, Fingal and Kitty are back from their honeymoon and settling into married life. It's really sweet to see how happy they are together. Fingal is settling back into his practice after being away on his honeymoon, and catching up on the lives of his patients and neighbors. Besides the day to day illnesses, there are a few more intense moments. A riding accident that causes a broken leg, a mysterious chest pain, and heart trouble for our irascible councilman bring a bit of excitement to the practice.
While Dr. Barry Laverty is away, studying to be an OB/GYN, Fingal has a temporary doctor helping out. She's a lovely young lady doctor, which has some of the residents pretty stirred up. It's a reminder that female doctors were few and far between, and not always readily accepted. I enjoyed seeing Jenny win people over. Fingal is torn because, if Barry elects to return to Ballbucklebo, he will have to let Jenny go, as there isn't enough business for three doctors. As he is a man who likes to fix things, he agonizes over what to do. There's an interesting twist to the end that solves everyone's problems.
Also running through the modern side of the story is housekeeper "Kinky" Kincaid's romance with the local milkman. Their courtship was sweet and I loved following along. There's a great scene with Kinky confessing her worry over what would happen to the household if she marries and leaves the O'Reillys. I also loved her sweetheart's conversation with Fingal near the end of the book.
I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next four books and catching up. Some of them cover his time in the navy and I can't wait to read all about it.
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LibraryThing member Diana_Long_Thomas
This book is a great addition to a wonderful series, once I started it I couldn't put it down. These books are very entertaining, and I'm glad they were recommended to me. If you enjoy James Herriot or Richard Gordon these books are for you.
Re-read 2018
This book alternates between the current
Re-read 2018
This book alternates between the current
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timeline of the books of the mid-1960's, and the late 1930's when Dr. O'Reilly first becomes a practicing doctor. We're starting to get some of the original storylines wrapped up and new ones beginning. The most interesting storyline for me was the small look into how a female doctor was treated as a General Practitioner during the 60's, both the good and the bad. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Another entry in his Irish Country Doctor series, Fingal O’Reilly by Patrick Taylor continues his story set in 1960’s Northern Ireland. The younger doctor is off deciding whether he sees himself continuing as a general practitioner in the small Irish village of Ballybucklebo or whether he would
As Fingal carries out his duties he muses on his past, his first year as a doctor working in the slums of Dublin in 1936. At this time he was also dating the woman who has now become his wife, Kitty. The trips down memory lane are handled smoothly and give us an insight into how Fingal and Kitty drifted apart. Meanwhile in the present Fingal realizes that he is both a very happy and very lucky man with his only concern being whether young doctor Barry will decide to come back to Ballybucklebo.
It’s been sometime since I have read one of these books and I enjoyed my trip to this small corner of Ireland. The stories flow easily and the author inserts plenty of humor. Many of the quirky characters that we have been introduced to in the other books make an appearance, and overall, this eighth book was a very good addition to the series.
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rather specialize in obstetrics. Fingal, the senior doctor is enjoying his first few months as a married man. As Fingal carries out his duties he muses on his past, his first year as a doctor working in the slums of Dublin in 1936. At this time he was also dating the woman who has now become his wife, Kitty. The trips down memory lane are handled smoothly and give us an insight into how Fingal and Kitty drifted apart. Meanwhile in the present Fingal realizes that he is both a very happy and very lucky man with his only concern being whether young doctor Barry will decide to come back to Ballybucklebo.
It’s been sometime since I have read one of these books and I enjoyed my trip to this small corner of Ireland. The stories flow easily and the author inserts plenty of humor. Many of the quirky characters that we have been introduced to in the other books make an appearance, and overall, this eighth book was a very good addition to the series.
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LibraryThing member jennybeast
Fingal's earlier life and main perspective gives these books a sweetness that I'm really enjoying -- far more than the Barry-centered ones. It's very very good to hear his life story, and the flashbacks work well for keeping the main plot moving along as well. Very nice.
Language
Original publication date
2013
ISBN
9780765335258