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An Irish Country Courtship: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.03) - 1,022 listener ratings
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Welcome to Patrick Taylor's Irish Country Books and the colourful Ulster village of Ballybucklebo, where two doctors work hand in hand to mend the bodies and spirits of the town's diverse and engaging inhabitants. But who is looking after the wounded hearts of the doctors? In An Irish Country Courtship, after less than a year, young Barry Laverty, M.B., is settling in to the village, with only a few months to go before he becomes a full partner in the practice. He's looking forward to becoming a fixture in the community, until an unexpected romantic reversal gives him second thoughts. Will he truly be happy tending to routine coughs and colds for the rest of his career? After all, even when a more challenging case comes along, like a rare tropical disease, all he can do is pass it on to a qualified specialist or big-city hospital. As much as Barry enjoys the rough and tumble of life in County Down, is running a humble GP's shop all he wants out of life? Barry's mentor, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, is going through some personal upheavals as well. After mourning his deceased wife for decades, he's finally allowed a new woman into his life. But this budding courtship is not going over well with Kinky Kincaid, the doctors' redoubtable housekeeper, who fears having her position usurped by O'Reilly's new flame. Tact, diplomacy, and a fair amount of blarney may be required to restore peace to the household. Meanwhile, life goes on in Ballybucklebo, presenting both doctors with plenty of distractions from their own troubles. From a mysterious outbreak at the local school to a complicated swindle involving an unlucky racehorse, the two partners will need all of their combined wit and compassion to put things right again--just in time for their lives to change forever.
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"I love this author! The books are about a doctor in rural Ireland in the mid 1960's. For those of us that live in small, rural villages, the quirky characters are funny because we can easily relate. We know people like this! At this point in history that the book covers major vaccinations are just beginning to be used or have recently been discovered. Practicing medicine by a GP was still very much by knowledge acquired rather than the tools they had available."
— Colleen (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The Ulster villagers of Ballybucklebo are happy with their two country doctors, but the physicians themselves seem to be growing restless…As the doctors untangle their respective dilemmas, problems medical and otherwise are popping up everywhere in this rustic enclave, much to the delight of confirmed Patrick Taylor fans.”
— Barnes&Noble.com -
“This gentle slice-of-life novel is the fifth in a series about life in the colorful Ulster village of Ballybucklebo…stocked with a Hollywood-worthy cast of supporting characters, including busybodies, eccentrics, and a beautiful schoolteacher.”
— Booklist -
“Taylor’s fifth novel…is a warm, friendly tale about an idealized way of life…[enchanced by] an exquisite sense of place and Taylor’s authentic medical…Readers who adore novels set in rural Ireland (and fans of Jan Karon’s US.based Mitford books) will enjoy settling in again with Taylor.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Medical cases, described in suitably gruesome detail (a long-festering liver abscess being only one example), will satisfy the most voyeuristic armchair physician. Fear not—in the cozy world of Ballybucklebo, hearts may be on the line but lives seldom are. Nostalgia for a simpler time, plus an idyllic depiction of universal health coverage in action.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Taylor masterfully charts the small victories and defeats of Irish village life.”
— Irish America magazine, praise for the series -
The cozy village of Ballybucklebo and its eccentric inhabitants make the holidays bright.
— Library Journal on An Irish Country Christmas -
Full of stories and vivid characters, [An Irish Country Village] recalls a good night in a pub. Good, light entertainment.
— Booklist -
Taylor masterfully charts the small victories and defeats of Irish village life.
— Irish American magazine on An Irish Country Christmas -
“Taylor . . . is a bang-up storyteller who captivates and entertains from the first word.
— Publishers Weekly on An Irish Country Girl
An Irish Country Courtship Listener Reviews
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" I loved this one! New directions for both the characters and it was fresh and intriguing! "
— Melanie, 2/12/2014 -
" I have enjoyed all of Patrick Taylor's Irish Country novels. This was not my favorite, but still fun! "
— Barbara, 2/3/2014 -
" Wonderful! This series is a keeper for me. I will read ANY further adventures of Dr. O'Reilly and Dr. Laverty. Thanks Patrick Taylor for such a wonderful escape to the beautiful Irish countryside and all it memorable inhabitants! "
— Patti, 2/3/2014 -
" You'd be a buck eejit not to enjoy this series! "
— Ellie, 1/30/2014 -
" These books are an easy read and I love the idea of the community caring about one another. Plus living is a small place where everyone knows each other. "
— Sandy, 1/26/2014 -
" Good read. Not my typical read, but enjoyable characters who redeem your faith in humankind. "
— Cathie, 1/24/2014 -
" A fairly good, but predictable story about a doctor in Ireland. "
— Edb, 1/20/2014 -
" I must admit to being a fan of this series. It reminds me of James Herriott's "All Creatures Great and Small" series. "
— Mark, 1/20/2014 -
" I really loved this book. I felt as if I too were part of the small town. I didn't want it to end. The other Irish Country books are going on my to read list. "
— Amy, 1/10/2014 -
" It's very similar to the first books, but an enjoyable read. You feel like they are old friends. "
— Grace, 12/25/2013 -
" I love all the books in this series. They are wonderful. "
— Anna, 11/29/2013 -
" Had trouble putting this one down ... all the elements of a good book! Just enough "sadness" to bring a tear to the eye, lots of romance, fun, and humor, and the "bad guy" gets his justice! A feel good book all around! "
— Joy, 11/26/2013 -
" I enjoy this kind of storytelling as it reminds me of James Herriot's style. Love the glossary and recipes included at the back. "
— Lori, 10/15/2013 -
" Not my fav type of story "
— Tru, 6/7/2013 -
" Loved the continuation of my favorite characters. "
— Annie, 2/9/2013 -
" Not as much doctoring in this book as in the others. Fun nonetheless, and building up to some big changes for both the doctors of Ballybucklebo. "
— Deb, 12/17/2012 -
" I so enjoy this little fictional town in Ulster! Although Mr. Taylor had better get to writing once again as this book left me hanging! What ever will the future hold for Dr. Barry Laverty? "
— Karyn, 9/19/2012 -
" Perfect light reading for the holiday week - at least for those Gaelophiles among us. "
— Adriana, 7/29/2012 -
" I enjoyed reading this book. It was a pleasant read. "
— Amber, 6/21/2012 -
" I enjoy these books. I find the daily life of a gp in Ireland in the 1960s to be interesting. It is amazing how far and fast the world has come from this in the last 50 years. These books also make me laugh out loud, so any book that can do that usually gets my vote. "
— Debbie, 3/15/2012 -
" Reading a new adventure involving Ballybucklebo's two country doctors is like sitting down in the village pub and catching up with old friends. Patrick Taylor left the tale in a very interesting spot, so I hope the next installment comes out soon! "
— "Aubri"/Lisa, 3/5/2012 -
" Charming in an irritating way. "
— Gail, 6/2/2011 -
" I've read several of this series, and I'm trying to keep them in approximate chronological order. This one is the least interesting of the series so far. "
— Steve, 5/10/2011 -
" Having read the entire series up to this point, I must say that I do enjoy Patrick Taylor's accounting of rural Irish life in the 1960's. It's a light read, but fits the bill perfectly when I'm ready for a break away from something more meaty. "
— Sandra, 4/18/2011 -
" Charming in an irritating way. "
— Gail, 4/14/2011 -
" <br/><br/>Another enjoyable Patrick Taylor novel. Many funny moments within. Recommend that it be put on everyone's to read list along with all of his books. "
— Ray, 4/12/2011 -
" Not as much doctoring in this book as in the others. Fun nonetheless, and building up to some big changes for both the doctors of Ballybucklebo. "
— Deb, 4/12/2011 -
" I loved it, it is a great series. Fun reading with colorful characters. "
— Amy, 3/13/2011 -
" A charming book, written with the Irish lilt. Humorous at times. I could easily visualize all the people and places. An armchair visit to Ireland. "
— Kathy, 2/8/2011 -
" Reading a new adventure involving Ballybucklebo's two country doctors is like sitting down in the village pub and catching up with old friends. Patrick Taylor left the tale in a very interesting spot, so I hope the next installment comes out soon! "
— "Aubri"/Lisa, 1/31/2011 -
" I so enjoy this little fictional town in Ulster! Although Mr. Taylor had better get to writing once again as this book left me hanging! What ever will the future hold for Dr. Barry Laverty? "
— Karyn, 1/9/2011
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.