Book Review: An Irish Country Doctor

If you would like to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with something more than corned beef and cabbage, why not try An Irish Country Doctor, a novel by Patrick Taylor? Dr. Barry Laverty is fresh from medical school in Belfast when he takes a position as an assistant to Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly in the rural village of Ballybuckleboo. Dr. O’Reilly has his own unconventional ways of dealing with his patients; his motto is to “never let the patient get the upper hand.” Life is changing rapidly in the 1960’s, even in Northern Ireland, and Dr. O’Reilly’s methods often conflict with young Barry’s “modern” medical knowledge. An eccentric but endearing cast of characters blend together to teach Barry lessons not only about medicine and healing but life and death as well.

The author is a doctor who had a practice in rural Northern Ireland before becoming a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He also wrote a medical humor column in addition to numerous scientific and medical literature. This well written novel has great character development and wonderful descriptive elements. Taylor’s attention to detail includes a bit of Irish slang which is explained in a glossary. Also in the back of the book are authentic Irish recipes provided by Mrs. Kinkaid, the housekeeper. By the time you’re done with the book, you’ll be craving that corned beef and cabbage and wanting to hop on the next plane to Ireland.

Following An Irish Country Doctor (2007), Patrick Taylor has continued the series with An Irish Country Village (2008), An Irish Country Christmas (2009) and An Irish Country Girl which was released in January. An Irish Country Courtship will be released at Christmas. -Linda (Downtown)