An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country Books) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: rugby club, primrose roots, wee minute, Doctor O'Reilly, Doctor Laverty, Patrick Taylor (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Taylor's delightful holiday update to the Irish Country series returns to Ballybucklebo, where Dr. Fingal O'Reilly and junior partner Barry Laverty are still practicing their humorous brand of country medicine. As Christmas draws closer, the two men contend with a variety of comical village ailments and the usual array of Ballybucklebo characters, as well as romantic troubles. O'Reilly is trying to decide if he will allow himself to love again with the vivacious Kitty O'Halloran, and Laverty is distraught because his girlfriend can't seem to make it home for the holidays. Then a new doctor comes to town and causes a ruckus by poaching their patients and prescribing ludicrous cures. This has all the charm of Taylor's previous books and adds Christmas warmth without sacrificing credibility. (Nov.)
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Review

"One part A.J. Cronin's 1920s Dr. Finlay, one part Jame Herriot's 1930s veterinarians, one part Jan Karon's Mitford series, and one part BBC-TV's Ballykissangel."--The Detroit News on An Irish Country Christmas

“Full of stories and vivid characters, the novel recalls a good night in a pub. Its greatest charm lies in homey Ulster idioms. . . . Good, light entertainment.”--Booklist on An Irish Country Village

“Highly readable.”--Publishers Weekly on An Irish Country Village

“This book is written with compassion and hilarity about a community whose inhabitants are as wonderful and loony as any on earth.”--Malachy McCourt, New York Times bestselling author on An Irish Country Doctor

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (October 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0765320703
• ISBN-13: 978-0765320704
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,685 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #40 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Irish
  #56 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Medical

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm cuddle with a book that promises to bring joy, October 26, 2008

By	Carole J. Cox "DrivingMs.Haflinger" (West Virginia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This was one of those rare books that one hates to have end. You will wish to stay in this place and continue with the setting, the characters and the mood. "An Irish Country Christmas" is certain to shoot to the top of every best seller list with this engaging tale everyone will wish to call their own. Having not read the others in the series this reviewer is anxious to order them and continue the charmed escape to the Irish countryside. If not already thought of, this series cries to be a boxed set full of lovely illustrations. In troubled times, this writing is just what the soul needs!

Patrick Taylors' fictional accounts of the life of a pair of Irish country doctors in a day before modern medicine had created a gap between patient and practitioner are continued in this story that leads up to their shared Christmas. It is a Christmas full of all the happiness and goodwill that has been left behind in modern fractionated culture.I'm certain this book has re-read qualities when after a hard played day, a reader just wants to go somewhere that is simple and good. The reader will feel the warmth of Jameson after a cold walk in the snow and hear the sound of carolers when engaged by this worthy read.

Erveryone will be left anxious to find out about what a happens to Barry and Patricia or is it Barry and Sue? There is certainly a lot more in store for us in The Irish Country! Patrick Taylor has created something that is not only a worthy read but would make a nice movie or a BBC-Ireland series such as Ballykissangel.

Want to take a holiday but can't afford it? Try the Irish Country Series!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Yarn with Quiet Humor and Eccentric Characters, January 9, 2009

By	Laurie Jenkins "Laurie-J" (Murchison, TX USA) - See all my reviews

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If, like me, you like the writing styles and stories of Patrick McManus The Grasshopper Trap and James Herriot All Creatures Great and Small then you will truly enjoy An Irish Christmas. Often humorous, it's a heart-warming story set in the idyllic, fictional town of Ballybucklebo, Ireland in the 1960's. It is chocked full of eccentric and loveable characters who help to remind us that the simple pleasures are absolutely the best pleasures.

This is the first book I have read by Patrick Taylor but I now want to read the two previous ones, as well. I loved it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rural charm at its best, November 17, 2008

By	S. Barrett (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

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An Irish Country Christmas (Irish Country Books)

An Irish Country Christmas is the third book in Patrick Taylor's series that features new doctor Barry Laverty and his senior partner Dr. Fingal O'Reilly. Set in the rural Northern Irish village of Ballybucklebo, Barry looks forward to his first Christmas in the little village. However, when his girlfriend Patricia informs him that she may not be coming to spend the holiday with him, his disappointment mounts. At the same time, Dr. Fingal, who has vowed not to fall in love again, finds himself enormously attracted to the lovely Kitty O'Hallorhan. Meanwhile, Barry has his hands full with seasonal ailments and the occasional medical emergency. Still, they find time to play Santa to a needy mother with a sick child and make the rounds of rugby parties and kiddie Christmas festivities.

When a new doctor arrives in the village, Barry wonders if there can possibly be enough business to support three doctors, but that's not his only worry. It seems Dr. Fitzpatrick, in spite of apparent quackery and questionable cures, is quite adept at stealing Barry's and Fingal's patients.

The charm of rural Ireland shines in this story of these two engaging doctors who find time to help the villagers in many ways. Ballybucklebo is rife with interesting, comedic characters. The story is chock full of humorous episodes, an array of odd village ailments, and romantic troubles. Despite a tendancy to over-explain, Taylor's wit and charm shine through. An Irish Country Christmas has all the ingredients for a satisfying winter's read. Enjoy.