****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
It's 1964, and Dr. Barry Laverty, the ink barely dry on his degree, takes a job out in the country with Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. The old doctor's reputation precedes him as, when Barry asks for directions to the doctor's residence in Ballybucklebo the young man he's asking flees away on his bicycle. Dr. O'Reilly is a big man with a florid face, who's nose turns alabaster when his temper is up. His surgery (Office) is attached to his house on Main Street, and ran by the irascible Mrs. Kinky Kincaid. Kinky is a battleship of a woman, "large and in charge" one might say. She runs the household and schedules the patients with iron determination, and cooks up irresistible meals. The household also consists of a daft, beer-drinking black Labrador named Arthur Guiness, and most recently a saucy white cat named Lady Macbeth.Barry accepts the job as O'Reilly's assistant, and takes up residence in the attic room of the household. It was a time when country doctors still made house calls; a time when the degreed residents of the township (such as doctor, teacher, minister, priest, or town council) were looked up to as leaders of the community. Barry discovers his work with O'Reilly includes a lot more than simply treating physical complaints and ailments. There's the personal problems of the residents to look after, like old Maggie MacCorkle and her old beau Sonny who lives in his car since nasty Councilor Bertie Bishop hasn't finished his roof for twenty years. There's a young, unwed pregnant girl to whom O'Reilly promises things will turn out (much to Barry's chagrin); and the old doctor does his research on her to discover the best way to help. O'Reilly manages to show Barry that there's more to small town treatment than what comes out of a medical text.On a trip to Belfast, Barry makes the acquaintance of a young college girl named Patricia Spence, who limps from the residue of her childhood polio, and Barry falls madly in love with her. Balancing his time at the clinic, only two pairs of trousers that Arthur Guiness is intent on ruining, and his desire to see more of Patricia becomes a full time worry for young Barry. Does he have what it takes to survive the boisterous and quick-tempered O'Reilly, managing small town medicine, and unrequited love? You'll have to read the novel to find out."Quaint" and "Cozy" are the best words to describe 'An Irish Country Doctor'. There are three books in the series right now. I found myself reading the third book first, 'An Irish Country Christmas', and simply had to purchase the first two books. This beginning of the life and times of the village of Ballybucklebo and it's temperamental doctor is highly entertaining, and like me you'll find yourself wanting more. Despite it's laid-back country appeal, you'll find yourself unable to put down the book. While reading, I felt like I was a part of the community, deep in Ireland back in the 60's. Taylor's writing really involves the reader; you'll be entirely "sucked into" the atmosphere. His characters are fully fleshed out, real people you feel like you know, each with unique personalities and quirks. Following the story is a quick note with some recipes by Kinky Kincaid, and a glossary of terms for those who wish to know more of the language spoken in the book. I'm on to the second novel now, 'An Irish Country Village'. I highly recommend this book and the series. Enjoy!
