An Irish Country Christmas

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.

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.

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

I can be persuaded to read almost any book that is set in Ireland. This series by Patrick Taylor about the general practitioners in the little village of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland is no exception. The first book in the series An Irish Country Doctor got me hooked and I have read a few more since then. I picked this one up earlier this year and took it with me on holidays. Somehow reading about December in Northern Ireland while sitting in 30 deg. C. dry heat in the interior of BC was appealing.

As can be guessed from the title this book takes place in December in the lead up to Christmas. Everyone is getting ready for the big events of the season but junior doctor Barry Laverty has a few concerns that keep him from fully enjoying show more the experience. For one thing a new doctor has taken over a practice in the neighbouring town and Barry is worried that the region can not support three doctors. Then the woman he loves, Patricia, is studying in Cambridge and doesn't know when or even if she will make it home to Ireland for Christmas. Meanwhile health crises and personal crises call for the attention of Drs. O'Reilly and Laverty right up until Christmas Eve.

The doctors have a wonderful housekeeper and cook, Mrs. Kinky Kincaid, and the descriptions of meals are lavish. Fortunately Kinky has added some of her recipes at the back of this book. It is not too early to make Christmas cake or Christmas pudding and you could do worse than follow her recipes. show less

Reading An Irish Country Christmas was like easing on my favorite warm robe and slippers and settling down in front of a nice cozy fire. Warm, familiar, and, yes, cozy. This is the third book in the series and held no real surprises, just the usual tales of living and doctoring in a quaint Irish village during the 1960’s.

Young Dr. Barry Laverty is missing his girlfriend, Patricia as she is away at school in Cambridge. Unfortunately his plans for a romantic reunion are put awry when he learns that she won’t be coming home for Christmas. Meanwhile senior partner, Dr. Fingal Flaherie O’Reilly is having some romantic complications of his own. They are also battling competition as a new doctor, with some rather strange views, has moved show more into the district. These distractions, along with their many eccentric patients, and Christmas preparations, keep them busy during the cold month of December.

This is a perfect book to read at a busy time in your own life, as the chapters are not overly long and each one tells it’s own story, making it an easy book to pick up for short reads. Well written and engaging, a great escape to a different time and place. show less

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