Publication
New York : Forge, 2007.
Collection
Call number
Fiction T
Physical description
351 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: An Irish Country Doctor from bestselling author Patick Taylor is a charming and engrossing tale that will captivate readers from the very first page�??and leave them yearning to visit the Irish countryside of days gone by. Barry Laverty, M.B., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical degree and little else in the way of worldly possessions, Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice. At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colorful and endearing residents, including: A malingering Major and his equally hypochondriacal wife; An unwed servant girl, who refuses to divulge the father of her upcoming baby; A slightly daft old couple unable to marry for lack of a roof; And a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor. Ballybucklebo is long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about the quirks and traditions of country life. But with pluck and compassion and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life�??and love�??than he ever imagined back in medical sch… (more)
Subjects
Series
User reviews
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Patrick Taylor does for small town Northern Ireland what James Herriot did for Yorkshire. The village of Ballybucklebo and its somewhat eccentric inhabitants come alive through the eyes of young doctor Barry Laverty, who has just landed his first job as an assistant to the town's resident general
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practitioner, the larger-than-life Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. The two doctors are faced with some daunting cases in the course of the book -- a seriously ill patient without adequate housing or any family to care for him, an unmarried and possibly pregnant young woman, and a chronic hypochondriac who for once just might have something wrong with him. Somehow everything comes out all right in the end. This is just the sort of novel that might inspire armchair travelers to book that trip to Ireland that they've always dreamed of. Show Less
LibraryThing member EscritoraSarita
I started casting the movie version of this book just a few pages into it - Liam Neeson and Jonathan Rhys Meyers as the two doctors. (Okay, so I'd watch those two in just about anything - but I do think they fit the characters.)
This was published as adult fiction, but it's both appropriate and
What stuck with me: Really well-done characters. And dialect that's both easy to read and easy to "hear." My mother, who read the book before me, described it as James Herriot with people, and I can't really improve on that.
Where the book is going next: I think it's off to the hands of a former bookstore coworker, who will absolutely adore it.
Makes me want to read: This is the first of four books, so I'm waiting for my turn with An Irish Country Village. I've spent the past few weeks listening to James Herriot books on my commute, and this one makes me want more Yorkshire dialect, too. Oh, and one more thing - a Gaelic pronunciation guide. That's one language I just can't sound out.
Makes me want to reread: A Cap for Mary Ellis - the two books have almost nothing to do with each other, but both touch on the question of the time and emotional commitment needed to work in medicine.
This was published as adult fiction, but it's both appropriate and
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interesting for a younger reader. (I'm basing this, of course, on my own childhood reading, which I can't even pretend was typical.)What stuck with me: Really well-done characters. And dialect that's both easy to read and easy to "hear." My mother, who read the book before me, described it as James Herriot with people, and I can't really improve on that.
Where the book is going next: I think it's off to the hands of a former bookstore coworker, who will absolutely adore it.
Makes me want to read: This is the first of four books, so I'm waiting for my turn with An Irish Country Village. I've spent the past few weeks listening to James Herriot books on my commute, and this one makes me want more Yorkshire dialect, too. Oh, and one more thing - a Gaelic pronunciation guide. That's one language I just can't sound out.
Makes me want to reread: A Cap for Mary Ellis - the two books have almost nothing to do with each other, but both touch on the question of the time and emotional commitment needed to work in medicine.
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LibraryThing member connect2jamie
Cozy Irish read--reminds me of James Herriot, but with human patients! Sweet.
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
I intended to read this before St. Patrick's Day but the first half of March was hectic so here I am a little late. This was a charming book. I really liked how the young doctor, Barry Laverty, came to love working in Ballybucklebo, a small town in Ulster. He had his doubts at first, especially
This book reminded me a lot of James Herriot's books except the patients here are human. There is the same admiration for country life and country people. And there is the same humour, well-intentioned and never contemptuous. For a light read I recommend it. (As an added bonus, there are some delicious looking recipes at the back.)
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about the senior doctor, Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. Dr. O'Reilly seems rather old school but Barry learns a lot from him. And to give Barry credit he teaches Dr. O'Reilly a few things too.This book reminded me a lot of James Herriot's books except the patients here are human. There is the same admiration for country life and country people. And there is the same humour, well-intentioned and never contemptuous. For a light read I recommend it. (As an added bonus, there are some delicious looking recipes at the back.)
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LibraryThing member ccayne
Laugh out-loud funny moments, eccentric characters, great rural flavor and a wonderful dog who drinks his own brand of ale, Smithwicks. This is a light enjoyable book - sometimes a bit too cute towards the end, but a perfect diversion.
LibraryThing member lamour
This is the first full novel chronicling the adventures of Doctor Fingal Flahertie O;Reilly who is a GP in the North Ireland village of Ballybucklebo. The focus of this novel is arrival of his new assistant Dr. Barry Laverty and how he adjusts to working in a small village with the eccentric
There is much humour as one would expect in a novel set in small village with many strange characters and there is romance with Laverty meeting the love of his life by accident on a train. Not all medical issues end well as both doctors miss diagnose ;medical issues which lead to death and injury but they also save lives and are both loved and respected by the village inhabitants. Great fun to read.
Taylor followed this effort with a series of novels set in the Ballybucklebo which also give the background on the doctors including how O'Reilly lost his wife in WW II which is hinted at in this novel.
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O'Reilly and how he realizes what a wonderful teacher the older man is.There is much humour as one would expect in a novel set in small village with many strange characters and there is romance with Laverty meeting the love of his life by accident on a train. Not all medical issues end well as both doctors miss diagnose ;medical issues which lead to death and injury but they also save lives and are both loved and respected by the village inhabitants. Great fun to read.
Taylor followed this effort with a series of novels set in the Ballybucklebo which also give the background on the doctors including how O'Reilly lost his wife in WW II which is hinted at in this novel.
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LibraryThing member maddingcrowd
I agree with several of the other reviewers -- Taylor does skate awfully close to twee, but reined it in enough to save the book. There are the episodes familiar to the readers of any novel of the early career of a doctor – the eccentric old lady, the outdated but brilliant mentor, the
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hypochondriac who is, of course, really sick the one time he is ignored. But the episodes are put together very well, and it was a funny, fast read full of great characters including Dr. O’Reilly and especially his priceless housekeeper and her recipes (included in the end of the book). It IS vaguely reminiscent of Herriot without the animals, but crossed with an episode of St. Elsewhere. The clearest echo of All Creatures comes from Taylor’s admiration of the countryside and nostalgic depiction of lost time (in this case rural Ulster just before the “troubles” reignited). Show Less
LibraryThing member Dnorthup
I stumbled on this title while browsing in the bookstore. I actually saw the second book in the series [An Irish Country Village] and saw that there was a first title. The book jacket compared it to Jan Karon and I have been seeking something similar to that series. I really enjoy series titles
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that you can get in to and follow over many years. Obviously, this is set in Ireland and in the early 1960's. I strugggled at first with some of the language, but the author provides a glossary of terms to help clarify the Irish dialect. The characters of Ballybucklebo are warm and charming. Taylor does a geat job of developing them and elliciting the reader's feelings for each. At the halfway point, I didn't plan on reading the second title, but as I finished it, I couldn't wait to start the next. I really wanted to know more about all of the characters and even more about Ballybucklebo. Show Less
LibraryThing member eawsmom
An entertaining and enjoyable tale about a young Irish doctor just setting out to practice medicine. He agrees to give a trial run to practicing with an established doctor in the town of Ballybucklebo and learns a great deal about human nature and how to handle patients with patience and humor. I
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was reminded quite strongly of the James Herriot books, only with human patients instead of animal ones. And since I love the Herriot books, this was a good reminder! Show Less
LibraryThing member tututhefirst
This is the first in this really fun series. Think James Herriott without the animals. It's the story of Dr. O'reilly, the curmudgeonly but loveable small town GP who knows everyone and their secrets, and who isn't afraid to use placebos when he thinks they'll solve the problem. He is getting on in
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years, however, and the workload is increasing, so he advertises for an assistant. Enter Dr. Barry Laverty, fresh from medical school, full of book learning and under-tested people skills. The two strike up an immediate if grudging respect for their different styles, and Dr. L settles in. Like most small GPs of the era (probably mid 70's) the office (or surgery as it is called in Ireland) is co-located with the living quarters, ably presided over by the housekeeper-cook, Kinky Kincaid. The story is one of love, respect for people, and small town life. The adventures of the "Doctors Dear" as Kinky calls them, are heartwarming and just the things for a quick, loving read. If you liked Jan Karon's Mitford series, you'll love these. Show Less
LibraryThing member bremmd
This is a completely charming book. When young Doctor Barry Laverty comes to interview with Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reily, little does he know what he's getting into.
Welcome to Ballybucklebo (if you can pronounce it you're one up on me), a small village in Northern Ireland in the mid 1960s.
It really was a little Irish vacation reading "An Irish Country Doctor". I felt I was there in the room as we got to know each person you came to the doctor's surgery for medical help or just a kind ear. The story really captured how a small town GP is more than just a doctor, he really cares for all parts of his patients life.
I can't wait to read the next in the series to find out what happens next in Ballybucklebo.
Welcome to Ballybucklebo (if you can pronounce it you're one up on me), a small village in Northern Ireland in the mid 1960s.
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Full of all the quirky characters you would expect in a small Irish village. From the old Major and his wife who keep crying wolf to the young woman who finds herself in the family way all the odd-bodkin inhabitants are covered in this book.It really was a little Irish vacation reading "An Irish Country Doctor". I felt I was there in the room as we got to know each person you came to the doctor's surgery for medical help or just a kind ear. The story really captured how a small town GP is more than just a doctor, he really cares for all parts of his patients life.
I can't wait to read the next in the series to find out what happens next in Ballybucklebo.
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LibraryThing member KathyTotten
Colorful characters, satisfying, glimpse of Irish culture
LibraryThing member SophieCale
It took me surprisingly long to read this, things seemed to just keep getting in the way, but the good thing was that I could jump in and out of the story with no problem. It was a light, easygoing novel with a predictable (but fun) plot. Its a shinning example of an enjoyable read. And the
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medicine angle is pretty entertaining as well, not the entire focus of the story but vivid enough that it is like a character in itself. Characterization is the strong point of this novel; all the characters are vivid and believable, if not entirely original or super complex. A big part of their charm IS their simplicity; they are recognizable and believable people in an old time and out of the way place. It really captures the Spirit of not just the Irish Country side, but the country side in general. It makes you glad you were fortunate enough to visit it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lindseyrivers
A predictable but fun read. The character's are so endearing and Taylor's writing sucks you into the story.
LibraryThing member ILSBecky
I've read all of the books in this series by Patrick Taylor. They are all easy reads that provide a glimpse to the Ireland of the 1960's and small town life. All of the characters are well developed and add a lot of charm and humor to the book, even his large, sloppy dog that accompanies him to the
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local pub. Show Less
LibraryThing member kellifrobinson
For those who enjoy quirky 1990s European films like "The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain" and "Waking Ned Divine," this may be the book for you. Like those films, this book focuses on life's minutia and finds humor in the everyday. Although the lessons set forth are not new,
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there is no doubt that these are lessons worth being reminded of and there is no better way to be reminded then in a gentle novel such as this. Show Less
LibraryThing member Siobhon
I am ALL about all things Irish and for that reason I really wanted to like this book....*sigh* Is it Patrick Taylor's fault that I was expecting...something more. More feeling, more attachment. I guess I was expecting an Irish James Herriot with human patients rather than animal patients.
Rather
Rather
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it was the authors fault or my own, I can say that I was disappointed in this book and will probably not be picking up another by Patrick Taylor. Show Less
LibraryThing member ritaer
Pleasant, not particularly challenging, novel about a young doctor and the eccentric, slightly irrasible mentor he finds in a quaint N. Ireland village. Set in early 1960s, before the outbreak of the Troubles, which are slightly foreshadowed.
LibraryThing member lycomayflower
Light and predictable, but pleasant. Covers a good deal of the same sorts of things as James Herriot's books, but with people patients rather than animals: learning the ways of the country folk, dealing with difficult patients, becoming fond of the area, the patients, the practice. Generally
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enjoyable, though at parts more than others--and I have to say that the country doctor in question--Barry Laverty--was sometimes incredibly slow on the uptake. Show Less
LibraryThing member cyderry
Dr. Barry Laverty has finished medical school and searching for a location to hang out his shingle, answers an advertisement and heads to a small village in Ulster called Ballybucklebo. There Dr. Laverty is confronted with the town doctor who is looking for an assistant. Dr. O'Reilly is a larger
The amusing tales highlight the gentleness of the area - reverberating with the simple setting and the lack of the urban rush of most of our everyday lives. The characters and situations make you smile and often laugh - just a wonderful summer read. Highly recommended.
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than life character who proceeds to teach the younger man the nuances of treating the village residents.The amusing tales highlight the gentleness of the area - reverberating with the simple setting and the lack of the urban rush of most of our everyday lives. The characters and situations make you smile and often laugh - just a wonderful summer read. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member thornton37814
Barry Laverty takes a position as an assistant to Dr. Fingal O'Reilly in the Irish village of Ballybucklebo. He is shocked by O'Reilly's unorthodox style but comes to understand the doctor's ways. He learns a few lessons about being a doctor and about love as he gets to know the colorful characters
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who reside in the village. It's a delightful visit to a small village in Northern Ireland. Show Less
LibraryThing member jgillin
Author attempts a James Herriot-ish tale, but doesn't succeed.
LibraryThing member m.belljackson
An Irish Country Doctor offers many famous literary quotes with chances to guess the author or book.
It is rowdy and funny with informative dialogue and odd happy endings.
It is rowdy and funny with informative dialogue and odd happy endings.
LibraryThing member bead-nut
great series! wish there were more books :)
LibraryThing member Maydacat
Ballybucklebo is small but charming Irish village filled with quirky characters. They are not all lovely people, but they all add to the strange mixture that is Ballybucklebo. When a young doctor seeks employment there as an assistant to an established doctor, he is somewhat taken aback not only at
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life there, but also at the other doctor’s methods. Soon, however, he comes to embrace the life of the small village and sees the value of his mentor’s methods. Sprinkled with humor and liberally dosed with delight, there is much to enjoy in this wonderfully written tale. Show Less
Awards
BC and Yukon Book Prizes (Shortlist — Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize — 2005)
Language
Original publication date
2007-02-06
ISBN
9780765316233