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An Irish Country Christmas: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,639 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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 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 was an enjoyable book! You will get a warm fuzzy feeling after reading about the Irish Country Doctors, Fingal O'Reilly and Barry Laverty. They live in a small country community where everyone knows everybody and they all know each others business. It was well worth the time to read the book and I look forward to reading the newest addition to the series, An Irish Country Girl. The books are written by a doctor and capture the essense of the Irish."
— Mary (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“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 -
John Keating's readings of Patrick Taylor's previous "Irish Country" novels are as charming as the books themselves…As in an opera where the story is secondary to the sound, Keating's lilting brogue is a delight to the ear.
— The Roanoke Times -
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 -
John Keating's reading adds the music of an Irish brogue, and the individual voice he gives each character heightens the charm. You don't really need a pint to enjoy the listening of this one...but the good doctors of Ballybucklebo deserve a toast.
— The Roanoke Times -
The unabridged audio edition was narrated by John Keating, whose rendition of the Ulster-Scots language and accents draws you in and gives life to the characters.
— Beth Fish Reads
Awards
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Selected for the December 2008 Indie Next List
An Irish Country Christmas Listener Reviews
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" This book is bringing me out of my reading slump. It is a gentle story about two doctors practicing in Northern Ireland. Great characters and a wonderful setting. A happy read. "
— Janet, 2/18/2014 -
" A delightful book to read during the Christmas season - a sweet story with truly nice people in a charming setting. Comfort reading for sure! "
— Toni, 2/14/2014 -
" Really enjoying this series :) "
— Lori, 2/4/2014 -
" I did not enjoy this one as much as the other two. Barry is kind of annoying in his insecurities surrounding Patricia. But overall, it is a cute story of a time and town that would never work in today's world...sadly. "
— Guin, 1/26/2014 -
" Charming, And a wonderful Christmas read. "
— Keepitreal, 1/21/2014 -
" Oh this storyline was pretty predictable. I love Taylor's sense of humor. It was a fun book to read for the holidays. I have read the previous two in the series and I'm not sure if it would be a waste of my time to read the last two. "
— Diane, 1/18/2014 -
" author is a word artist in describing the village scene - story was somewhat disorganized but this was the first book of his that I read - good escape fiction. "
— Jan, 1/14/2014 -
" Love the slow country pace and the leisurely way Patrick Taylor writes of Ireland. "
— Nancy, 12/29/2013 -
" Nice calm read, but is almost a repeat of the first two. "
— Janet, 12/17/2013 -
" 10/26 Just started this book today while traveling and I all ready love it. I bought the first two books in this series for my mother-in-law and she loves the series too and wants this book for Christmas. "
— Debbie, 11/29/2013 -
" I was born in Belfast but have lived in Canada for 41 years - this book took me home...loved it. "
— Linda, 11/25/2013 -
" Loving this series!! This one got better as it went along. "
— Lisa, 10/20/2013 -
" I love the Irish Country Doctor series! This is the third book about the young doctor Barry Laverty and his senior partner Dr. Fingal O'Reilly. Set in the rural Northern Irish village of Ballybucklebo, the characters come to life with humor and creativity. A very fun read! "
— MaryO, 10/19/2013 -
" Easy to read prose that merrily rolls along. Nothing stimulating, but the perfect book to fall asleep to. "
— Allison, 10/13/2013 -
" It was my Christmas book this year and I was disappointed with the ending. "
— Janelle, 9/12/2013 -
" Charming...cozy...delightful. A gentle and humorous read for a cold December evening. "
— Faye, 9/4/2013 -
" Think James Herriot without the veterinary angle and in Ireland, not northern England. This was a delightful Christmas read - rather old-fashioned, some quirky characters and an easy pace that was just right for me over the holidays. "
— Lori, 9/1/2013 -
" What a fantastic read! It has no politics, no deep message, just a really great story! So refreshing! "
— Speedtrap63, 8/22/2013 -
" Fun series of books. Easy reads. I enjoy the characters. "
— Shelly, 7/18/2013 -
" A book cozy as a Christmas fire, reminiscent of Herriot stories. "
— Margaret, 4/29/2013 -
" Finished this one just before Christmas so found it very timely. "
— Denise, 4/18/2013 -
" I really love these books - especially the audiobooks... His voice is wonderful! Wish there were more at my library... "
— Jill, 12/8/2012 -
" An easy read that made me want to go to Ireland for the holidays. "
— Nan, 11/6/2012 -
" This is the 3rd book in this series and enjoyed this one as well. "
— Pat, 10/13/2012 -
" If I wanted to travel overseas.. Ireland is the place I would want to go.. I love these stories. "
— Dan, 6/2/2012 -
" What a lovely, flowing story. Not complex, not challenging, just a simple lovely heartwarming read. "
— Tracy, 4/14/2012 -
" This is the fourth one I have read. I am enjoying learning about the daily life of the village as well as what being a GP in a village in Ireland was like in the 60s. I wish I could feel that kind of trust in the medical profession now. "
— Pat, 11/5/2011 -
" A well-written, slowly paced book that will appeal to readers of Jan Karon, sans the religious overtones. Set in Ireland, it main characters included a gruff country doctor and his new protege, with a good assortment of odds and ends characters. Several books in the series are available. "
— John, 9/18/2011 -
" I love this series! It reminds me of how I grew up. I love the accent he writes with! I love the characters. I can't wait to see what they do in the next book! "
— Linda, 6/2/2011 -
" Not quite a good as the others, but still above average, and so "comfortable" to read. "
— Joan, 3/23/2011 -
" I enjoy this series so much, and this book as well. It's nice to go back to Ballybucklebo now and again, and check in with the quirky characters. And the medical situations are interesting, particularly the breech delivery. Will be ready for the next installment. "
— Thatsrite, 3/10/2011 -
" Lovely read. Thanks Mom for lending us these. "
— Maegan, 3/6/2011 -
" My book club chose this book. It's set in Ireland so we read it over St. Patrick's Day. Not the type book I would typically choose, but I enjoyed it. Sort of a nice old-fashioned book. "
— Tricia, 3/5/2011 -
" Another wonderful book (3rd in the series) about two doctors and their patients who live in Bally Buckle Bow in Ireland in the mid-60s. "
— Sandy, 3/4/2011 -
" I really love these books - especially the audiobooks... His voice is wonderful! Wish there were more at my library... "
— Jill, 2/28/2011 -
" I enjoy this series. Lots of fun stories with a medical side to it. "
— Aimee, 2/21/2011 -
" I am not going to finish it. "
— Georgina, 2/18/2011 -
" It is just a delighful series of books about Ireland...love all of them so far. "
— Christine, 2/1/2011 -
" Love the slow country pace and the leisurely way Patrick Taylor writes of Ireland. "
— Nancy, 1/10/2011 -
" A book cozy as a Christmas fire, reminiscent of Herriot stories. "
— Margaret, 1/9/2011 -
" What a lovely, flowing story. Not complex, not challenging, just a simple lovely heartwarming read. "
— Tracy, 1/5/2011 -
" I was born in Belfast but have lived in Canada for 41 years - this book took me home...loved it. "
— Linda, 1/3/2011 -
" Nice easy read over the holidays! I had read the 2 previous books in the series, and find them very enjoyable for a casual read. "
— Deb, 1/3/2011 -
" Enjoyed this...the characters reminded me of All Creatures Great and Small. "
— Pamela, 12/31/2010
About Patrick Taylor
Patrick Taylor is the author of the Irish Country novels, including the New York Times bestseller An Irish Country Wedding. He was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. He is a retired medical researcher and a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia.
About John Keating
John Keating is an actor, voice talent, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. His numerous acting credits include Roundabout Theatre’s production of Juno and the Paycock and La Mama ETC’s production of Cat and the Moon, as well as various parts with the Irish Repertory Theater and the Irish Arts Center. He can also be seen in the HBO miniseries John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.