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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Young Barry Laverty has just finished his medical training when he seeks out a position in general practice in the small village of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland. He joins up with the older, more experienced Fingal O'Reilly and at first is startled by what he sees as Dr. O'Reilly's lack of professional ways. However, over the course of several weeks he comes to admire the man as they deal with some unique situations in the community.
This book was funny and touching and all together pleasant read. On a number of occasions I laughed out loud as Laverty discovered that book learning isn't always as critical as life learning. In many ways it reminded me of James Herriot's "All Things Bright and Beautiful" series, but with people rather than animals. Although, this is definitely more geared to adults.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
This book was funny and touching and all together pleasant read. On a number of occasions I laughed out loud as Laverty discovered that book learning isn't always as critical as life learning. In many ways it reminded me of James Herriot's "All Things Bright and Beautiful" series, but with people rather than animals. Although, this is definitely more geared to adults.
Can't wait to read the next in the series.
Libby audio. A cross between James Herriot and Jan Karon’s Mitford series.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Supremely pleasurable escapism, with characters I want to get to know better. I didn’t think of myself as the kind of reader to appreciate “gentle” reads, but I guess it can’t be all sabotage and murder and nihilism all the time, can it?
Honestly, reading this book reminded me of the way I read during summer when I was a kid, unheeding of wider opinion and caring only for a good story (usually one checked out of the adult section of the library). The kind of reading where the words sort of disappear and the characters start to feel like real people. Reading that leaves you dreamy and restless with a longing to go to a place that never existed, or to a time that no longer does.
Whereas Taylor could have succumbed to mindless nostalgia, there is in this book an implicit awareness that some things improve over time (especially in regards to medical interventions) and that not all was rosy in the past. There have always been heartbreaking losses and drunk husbands and petty people with too much money and power. Looking back, the reader knows that violence looms over the characters, though they don’t know it, themselves: It’s the mid-1960s in Northern Ireland, and there remain but a handful of years before the Troubles.
But Taylor imbues his writing with humor and with a faith in the goodness of most people and in the ability for things to work out in the end that in my fouler moods I might find obnoxiously naïve, but which today I find charming and heartening.
Honestly, reading this book reminded me of the way I read during summer when I was a kid, unheeding of wider opinion and caring only for a good story (usually one checked out of the adult section of the library). The kind of reading where the words sort of disappear and the characters start to feel like real people. Reading that leaves you dreamy and restless with a longing to go to a place that never existed, or to a time that no longer does.
Whereas Taylor could have succumbed to mindless nostalgia, there is in this book an implicit awareness that some things improve over time (especially in regards to medical interventions) and that not all was rosy in the past. There have always been heartbreaking losses and drunk husbands and petty people with too much money and power. Looking back, the reader knows that violence looms over the characters, though they don’t know it, themselves: It’s the mid-1960s in Northern Ireland, and there remain but a handful of years before the Troubles.
But Taylor imbues his writing with humor and with a faith in the goodness of most people and in the ability for things to work out in the end that in my fouler moods I might find obnoxiously naïve, but which today I find charming and heartening.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Funny and sweet stories of a newly minted physician, Dr Barry Laverty, who decides to take a position under country physician Dr Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly in the village of Ballybucklebo.
I’ve loved watching the newest All Creatures Great and Small series on PBS and this reminds me very much of that, except the setting is in a picturesque village in Ireland rather than England, and the care is of people rather than animals and livestock.
Impressions:
Some laugh out loud moments between Barry and O’Riley.
I like the budding romance between Patricia and Barry, and especially interesting that she’s a career girl who’s studying to be a civil engineer.
It’s fun to read about the various persons who live in the village and their relationships with each other.
Looking forward to book #2
I’ve loved watching the newest All Creatures Great and Small series on PBS and this reminds me very much of that, except the setting is in a picturesque village in Ireland rather than England, and the care is of people rather than animals and livestock.
Impressions:
Some laugh out loud moments between Barry and O’Riley.
I like the budding romance between Patricia and Barry, and especially interesting that she’s a career girl who’s studying to be a civil engineer.
It’s fun to read about the various persons who live in the village and their relationships with each other.
Looking forward to book #2
What a breath of fresh air this book was! It wasn't overly dramatic or intensely page-turning, but I immediately loved each and every character enough to want to find out what happened. It was a charming novel and I will relish reading more from this author.