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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A good start to the series. (I started with a later book in the series that wasn't as satisfying as this one.) I sympathized with the young doctor, loved the gruff older one. The wide cast of characters were interesting and quirky and the plot moved forward realistically.
What a sweet, fun read. I think I'm going to enjoy this series.
Oh my goodness, did I enjoy this book! I wasn't expecting the humor and the laugh out loud moments.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good story about the many different types of people who make up a rural small town. It's a good light-hearted read and I can't wait to continue in the series.
I listened to the audiobook and John Keating was phenomenal! I think I would have missed a lot of the color in the book by just reading it. Definitely worth a read or listen if you need something to read.
And on a funny note, my ten year old son LOVED to listen to this audiobook, even if he had no idea what was going on, plot-wise, because he loved Keating's voice so much. Of course, the remainder of the day, he spoke in an Irish accent. Gotta love it.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good story about the many different types of people who make up a rural small town. It's a good light-hearted read and I can't wait to continue in the series.
I listened to the audiobook and John Keating was phenomenal! I think I would have missed a lot of the color in the book by just reading it. Definitely worth a read or listen if you need something to read.
And on a funny note, my ten year old son LOVED to listen to this audiobook, even if he had no idea what was going on, plot-wise, because he loved Keating's voice so much. Of course, the remainder of the day, he spoke in an Irish accent. Gotta love it.
Kind of like James Herriot‘s books- stories of life in rural Ireland. Little stories but never boring. I love books like this.
The book jacket says this tale of a young new doctor learning from the wisened country practitioner Fingal O'Reilly in the backwards Ballybucklebo: "a warm and enchanting novel in the tradition of James Herriot and Jan Karon".
My interest in reading this book was sparked by many things: my father was from Northern Ireland, the author was a professor at my alma mater and I do enjoy reading humourous novels and those relating to medicine (though rarely the twain shall meet). I listened to the audiobook, and enjoyed hearing expressions that my father used to use, in accents that must have been what his had sounded like (he deliberately lost his accent after moving to North America in the 1950s, because better employment opportunities in his field were more plentiful for those without an Irish accent. So sad.) This was a sweet book, and I'll probably listen to further books in the series.
I really wanted to love these books and they have so much potential - the characters are great. The scenery is lovely- but the writing is only so-so. Overuse of quotes, repeating things over and over as if the reader were stupid....I read two and couldn't do it again.
3.5 stars, rounding up
An enjoyable visit to a quaint, Irish village circa the early 1960s as young medical school graduate tries to figure out if he's cut out for general practice in a rural setting. This made for a light and humorous vacation read. I'll be trying the next book in the series on audiobook.
An enjoyable visit to a quaint, Irish village circa the early 1960s as young medical school graduate tries to figure out if he's cut out for general practice in a rural setting. This made for a light and humorous vacation read. I'll be trying the next book in the series on audiobook.
3.5* sweet story- similar to a James Herriot of Ireland, caring for people instead of animals. The audio was great, giving listeners a lovely Ulater accent (northern Ireland).