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In An Irish Country Christmas, the third book in Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Books, Barry Laverty, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holidays. That unhappy prospect dampens his spirits somewhat, but Barry has little time to dwell on his romantic disappointments. Christmas may be drawing nigh, but there is little peace to be found on earth, especially show more for a young doctor plying his trade in the emerald hills and glens of rural Ireland.Along with his senior partner, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Barry has his hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, as well as the occasional medical emergency. To add to the doctors' worries, competition arrives in the form of a patient-poaching new physician whose quackery threatens the health and well-being of the good people of Ballybucklebo. Can one territory support three hungry doctors? Barry has his doubts.
But the wintry days and nights are not without a few tidings of comfort and joy. Between their hectic medical practice, Rugby Club parties, and the kiddies' Christmas Pageant, the two doctors still find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen. . . .
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This is the third Irish Country book and this one has a lot of moving parts. It's still one of my favorites though. Not going to lie, though I initially felt for Doctor Barry Laverty in this one, I ended up losing all of my sympathy after a while due to how he was treating the woman he is dating (Patricia Spence). Him acting as if her studies or meeting new people, seeing new things is not as important as coming home to spend a few days with him during the holidays got old after a while. The star of this one really is Doctor Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly and his second chance romance with Sister (meaning nurse) Kitty O'Hallorhan. It's so weird though, the first couple of books acts as if O'Reilly and Kitty didn't really have much of show more anything until you read the later books. I am shocked that O'Reilly didn't look her up ages ago or at least get why she felt the way she did about him.
"An Irish Country Christmas" has the village of Ballybucklebo waiting for the Christmas season. Unlike in the first two books, we have Taylor switching between Doctor Barry Laverty and Doctor Fingal O'Reilly. Both men have the holidays and romance on their mind in this one.
Barry was an ass in this one. I can't say much more than this. I get that the book takes place in 1964 and of course men's attitudes about equality among the sexes had not set in yet, but good grief. Barry got involved with Patricia Spence in book #1 with the understanding that she was attending Cambridge. Him all of a sudden acting put upon because she is studying and meeting people got old fast. Barry I realized was quite selfish when it came to his relationship in this book.
I swear, after a while I started just sighing heavily and speeding past Barry's sections.
Fingal has a lot of thinking to do in this one. Kitty throws it out there that she could care for Fingal again, but she won't wait forever for him. Fingal is still haunted by his first wife's death.
The doctors are still doing what they can to take care of the villagers in Ballybucklebo. We get another antagonist in this one besides Bertie, we have an introduction to a former classmate of Fingal's, Doctor Roland Hercules Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was awful in these earlier books and one wonders why Taylor ended up getting rid of all of the doctors antagonists in this series. It has started to make things dull in these books.
The writing in these earlier works was good to me. Taylor explains diagnosis and what people did back then with regards to labor and other things.
The flow wasn't great though. I always tell people if you read these books be prepared for some repetition and slowness to things. It's not a bad way to spend an afternoon inside.
The happy ending was funny to me based on what ends up happening next in the series with regards to Barry and Fingal's romances. show less
"An Irish Country Christmas" has the village of Ballybucklebo waiting for the Christmas season. Unlike in the first two books, we have Taylor switching between Doctor Barry Laverty and Doctor Fingal O'Reilly. Both men have the holidays and romance on their mind in this one.
Barry was an ass in this one. I can't say much more than this. I get that the book takes place in 1964 and of course men's attitudes about equality among the sexes had not set in yet, but good grief. Barry got involved with Patricia Spence in book #1 with the understanding that she was attending Cambridge. Him all of a sudden acting put upon because she is studying and meeting people got old fast. Barry I realized was quite selfish when it came to his relationship in this book.
“The same family own property with a big wood, and that was the very spot A. A. Milne called the Hundred Acre Wood in the Pooh stories.”
“Really?” He started to let his tone show his disinterest. He was certain she was using all this trivial chitchat as a smoke screen to avoid having to tell him she wasn’t coming home. “That’s interesting."
"Barry took a deep breath. “Look, Patricia, it’s great to chat, but I need to know so I can work out on-call schedules with Fingal . . . are you coming home?” He heard the edge of irritation creep into her voice. “I still don’t know.” Barry tried not to let his own disappointment show. “If you still don’t know, why did you call?” “Because, Barry, I like to hear your voice”—her tones were measured—“and I knew Jenny’s dad wouldn’t mind. I miss you, and I was happy we would be able to talk.”
I swear, after a while I started just sighing heavily and speeding past Barry's sections.
Fingal has a lot of thinking to do in this one. Kitty throws it out there that she could care for Fingal again, but she won't wait forever for him. Fingal is still haunted by his first wife's death.
The doctors are still doing what they can to take care of the villagers in Ballybucklebo. We get another antagonist in this one besides Bertie, we have an introduction to a former classmate of Fingal's, Doctor Roland Hercules Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick was awful in these earlier books and one wonders why Taylor ended up getting rid of all of the doctors antagonists in this series. It has started to make things dull in these books.
The writing in these earlier works was good to me. Taylor explains diagnosis and what people did back then with regards to labor and other things.
The flow wasn't great though. I always tell people if you read these books be prepared for some repetition and slowness to things. It's not a bad way to spend an afternoon inside.
The happy ending was funny to me based on what ends up happening next in the series with regards to Barry and Fingal's romances. show less
What James Herriot did for the country veterinarian, Patrick Taylor does for the country doctor. In this charming tale, it’s Christmas, and if things tend to work out for the best, it can be forgiven in the spirit of the season. All the characters in the tale, from the two doctors to their housekeeper and the villagers are all well developed with their own quirky personalities. Reading about these delightful people as they go about their days is pure entertainment. But don’t make the mistake of thinking the the book is all light-hearted fluff; it has real depth in its plot. Highly recommended.
It's the Christmas season in 1964, and young Dr. Barry Laverty has been in his first practice in Ballybucklebo for several months now. He's more at ease with the patients and with his mentor, the colorful Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly. Christmas in the small Northern Ireland town, with all of the seasonal good will, would be perfect – if only Barry's girlfriend, Patricia, would come home from her first semester at Cambridge. While Barry fears his relationship with Patricia might be coming to an end, Dr. O'Reilly is contemplating a new romance with an old flame.
Patrick Taylor's Irish Country series is uplifting, yet never unrealistically optimistic about life. While most of the time the patients quickly recover from minor illnesses or show more injuries, there are also patients whose prospects are grim. Young Dr. Laverty is gradually realizing how satisfying it is to provide comfort for those who suffer and to celebrate with those who rejoice.
It's best to read this series in order, since each subsequent book in the series contains spoiler information about events in the previous books. show less
Patrick Taylor's Irish Country series is uplifting, yet never unrealistically optimistic about life. While most of the time the patients quickly recover from minor illnesses or show more injuries, there are also patients whose prospects are grim. Young Dr. Laverty is gradually realizing how satisfying it is to provide comfort for those who suffer and to celebrate with those who rejoice.
It's best to read this series in order, since each subsequent book in the series contains spoiler information about events in the previous books. show less
The third book I've listened to in this Irish country doctor series...might just he my last. The premise is charming and the characters are well done especially when listening to them on audiobook. But the repetition, Barry's whining about Patricia not revolving around his desires, and the lack of plot gets old. Plus the weird sexual bits seem really ill fitting with the book like Barry checking out his bosses' girlfriends ass. I don't know. This might be the end of the series for me. The books are entertaining but I don't know if it's enough to override the annoying stuff.
A thoroughly enjoyable cozy read about two doctors who love their patients, who live in a big rambling house with their surgery in the same building, who are lovingly cared for by one of the most delightful characters- Mrs, Kinky Kincaid- I've met in a long time. Both docs are suffering from unrequited love, which lends some depth to their characters and the story. Not great lit, but a fun read.
I seem to have failed to review this one somehow. What I remember of it was that it mostly consisted of a LOT of Barry whining at Patricia and trying to be autocratic about getting her to come back to visit. While his attitudes are completely accurate for the time and place they are set in, I mostly found it deeply annoying and wanted Patricia to dump him already, because they are clearly not well suited. In the mean time, of course, Barry is noticing other attractive women and going out with Jack to a nurse's dance, so I think his drama is even more annoying. Ah, youth.
This is the first book I've read by Patrick Taylor, and I was nicely surprised! I buy Christmas books every year as my own little tradition, to take a break from the fast paced reading that is my norm. I tend to read everything available, with a lot of thrillers, scifi and hot paranormal romance for fun. I love page turners.
An Irish Country Christmas is a true delight. I was drawn to the book after my recent vacation in Ireland, and I'm happy to report that Taylor captured the magnificent Irish beautifully.
Why do I love this book? It meanders along in such a beautiful way telling a lovely Christmas story. Dr. Barry Laverty is the young, new doctor in Ballybucklebo (I love that name!), and works with senior partner Dr. Fingal Flaherty show more O'Reilly. These are the men I want for my own doctors - smart, friendly, and caring. The glimpse into small town medical practices makes me yearn for a slower life.
Kinky Kincaid, Dr. O'Reilly's housekeeper and so much more than that. Amazing cook, a touch of the sight, and a caring/knowing way about her. I'd listen too what Kinky has to say, always.
There are love stories in this book, but they aren't the highlight. The people of Ballybucklebo are the real story. Times can be hard, and people come together during the holidays to make things better. The children in the story will make you laugh out loud!
Take a break from your hectic life, slow down a bit and enjoy a truly wonderful book. show less
An Irish Country Christmas is a true delight. I was drawn to the book after my recent vacation in Ireland, and I'm happy to report that Taylor captured the magnificent Irish beautifully.
Why do I love this book? It meanders along in such a beautiful way telling a lovely Christmas story. Dr. Barry Laverty is the young, new doctor in Ballybucklebo (I love that name!), and works with senior partner Dr. Fingal Flaherty show more O'Reilly. These are the men I want for my own doctors - smart, friendly, and caring. The glimpse into small town medical practices makes me yearn for a slower life.
Kinky Kincaid, Dr. O'Reilly's housekeeper and so much more than that. Amazing cook, a touch of the sight, and a caring/knowing way about her. I'd listen too what Kinky has to say, always.
There are love stories in this book, but they aren't the highlight. The people of Ballybucklebo are the real story. Times can be hard, and people come together during the holidays to make things better. The children in the story will make you laugh out loud!
Take a break from your hectic life, slow down a bit and enjoy a truly wonderful book. show less
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Author Information
33+ Works 6,842 Members
Patrick Taylor is a medical researcher and best-selling novelist. He was born in 1941 and brought up in Bangor, Northern Ireland, Taylor studied and practiced medicine in Belfast and rural Ulster before immigrating to Canada in 1970. He has received three lifetime achievement awards including the Lifetime Award of Excellence in Reproductive show more Medicine of the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society. He has written or contributed to 170 academic papers and six textbooks and also served as editor-in-chief of the Canadian Obstetrics and Gynaecology Journal, as well as writing a monthly medical humour column and serving as book reviewer for Stitches: The Journal of Medical Humour. Taylor has also published six books of creative writing, all set in Northern Ireland: a short-story collection entitled Only Wounded: Ulster Stories, and three novels: Pray for Us Sinners and its sequel Now and in the Hour of Our Death, and The Apprenticeship of Doctor Laverty (short listed for the BC Book awards fiction prize for 2005). In 2007 The Apprenticeship of Doctor Laverty was reprinted in hardcover under the title, An Irish Country Doctor; it was the Novel of the Month in March 2007. It then became a NY Times bestseller. It has currently been translated into nine other languages. Two sequels were published, An Irish Country Village (March 2008), and An Irish Country Christmas (Oct 2008). Taylor is working on the fourth book in this series. Taylor now lives in Ireland. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- An Irish Country Christmas
- Original title
- An Irish Country Christmas
- People/Characters
- Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly; Dr. Barry Laverty; Mrs. Kinky Kincaid; Donal Donnelly; Julie McAteer; Dr. Ronald Hercules Fitzpatrick (show all 8); Patricia Spence; Kitty O'Hallorhan
- Important places
- Ballybucklebo, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK
- Dedication
- To Dorothy
- First words
- Barry Laverty--Doctor Barry Laverty--slammed the door of Brunhilde, his elderly Volkswagen Beetle.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And happy and at peace with the world, Barry Laverty sipped his wine, and inside he smiled.
- Disambiguation notice
- Not to be confused with book by the same name by Alice Taylor.
Classifications
- Genres
- General Fiction, Fiction and Literature, Historical Fiction
- DDC/MDS
- 813.54 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American fiction in English 1900-1999 1945-1999
- LCC
- PR9199.3 .T36 .I74 — Language and Literature English English Literature English literature: Provincial, local, etc.
- BISAC
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 19
- ASINs
- 12
