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An Irish Country Doctor: A Novel Audiobook, by Patrick Taylor Play Audiobook Sample

An Irish Country Doctor: A Novel Audiobook

An Irish Country Doctor: A Novel Audiobook, by Patrick Taylor Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: John Keating Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Series: The Irish Country Novels Release Date: June 2009 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781427207050

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

120

Longest Chapter Length:

07:02 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:31 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

05:27 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

20

Other Audiobooks Written by Patrick Taylor: > View All...

Publisher Description

An Irish Country Doctor from bestselling author Patick Taylor is a charming and engrossing tale that will captivate readers from the very first page—and leave them yearning to visit the Irish countryside of days gone by.

Barry Laverty, M.B., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical degree and little else in the way of worldly possessions, Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice.

At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly.

The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can't decide if the pugnacious O'Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for. Through O'Reilly Barry soon gets to know all of the village's colorful and endearing residents, including:

A malingering Major and his equally hypochondriacal wife;

An unwed servant girl, who refuses to divulge the father of her upcoming baby;

A slightly daft old couple unable to marry for lack of a roof;

And a host of other eccentric characters who make every day an education for the inexperienced young doctor.

Ballybucklebo is long way from Belfast, and Barry is quick to discover that he still has a lot to learn about the quirks and traditions of country life. But with pluck and compassion and only the slightest touch of blarney, he will find out more about life—and love—than he ever imagined back in medical school.

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"Another entertaining episode in this delightful series. Here we get the back story of O'Reilly's student days and his beginnings with Kitty. We find out about his family -- especially his relationship with his father -- and how things developed on his path to becoming the man and doctor he is by 1964 when we first meet him (in The Irish Country Doctor). However, there are still many unanswered questions will be fodder for more installments....... looking forward to the next one."

— Dell (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • Welcome to the colorful Northern Ireland community of Ballybucklebo where there's always something brewing beneath the Village's deceptively sleepy surface. Fans of Karon's Mitford series will enjoy this.

    — Smoky Mountain Sentinel
  • “Narrator John Keating has a field day with the humor, long-winded stories, and colorful accents...[Keating] skillfully presents the unique and sometimes-hilarious Irish take on joy, sorrow, illness, and death.

    — AudioFile

An Irish Country Doctor Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 54.035714285714286 out of 5 (4.04)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — hannah koonce, 9/19/2023
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A gentle read. "

    — Tracey, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I did not know this was the prequel to a poular series about an Irish country doctor. It was a decent enough read but sometimes I had to force myself to continue reading it. I found the medical part of the novel more interesting than the characters. "

    — Lynn, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " this was a great story about a young lad and his mates growing up in dublin, going to medical school. good family story, love story, and success story. apparently the previous books should have been read first so now i will start at the beginning! lol. "

    — leigh, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The previous one of this series, Irish Country Girl, was not very enjoyable. I felt perhaps the series had run its course for me, but I liked this book. It filled in a lot of background for Dr. O'Reilly. Yes, there was perhaps more about medical cases then I needed to hear, but since my dad was a doctor, I was used to that. "

    — Lartemis, 1/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Charming, interesting & heart warming. "

    — Robin, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A good addition to the series and great background to Dr. O'Reily; really enjoyed it! "

    — Matthew, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent series, like Herroitt except with people. "

    — Evonne, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved it, as I have all the Irish Country novels. "

    — Amy, 11/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Enjoyed all Irish country series , just started 6tg one today. "

    — Barb, 9/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great to see how Dr. O'Reilly got his start. Medicine sure has changed since he trained. :) "

    — Kathy, 9/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The Best of the Irish Country novels so far. It filled in a lot of holes in the Dr. Fingal O'Reilly history. I'm hoping the next one will cover his WWII years. "

    — Janelle, 8/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " nice story; intend to read more of Patrick Taylor. "

    — Kathy, 8/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Starts off with a bang. I hung on page by page as the story drew me in to see what happened next. I am honestly wondering what the next installment will bring. "

    — Lisa, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another great book by Mr. Taylor. This one, while written in 2011, goes back in time to tell the story of the young doctor as a student. Basically, what made him into the doctor he is today. Love the Irish...love this book. "

    — Sue, 7/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book that adds to the story line behind all the Irish County books. Great to get some background on a character. "

    — Dona, 11/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a great book. think am going to reread the ones i have already enjoyed "

    — Louie, 9/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was my first foray into the world of Irish doctors and I enjoyed it. Planning on reading some of the other books in the series! "

    — Carolyn, 9/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Easy reading. I know Dublin well so I liked being able to visulise the different areas "

    — Iris, 5/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A bit long with lots of medical explanation, but fun to read after having read the rest of the series. Also interesting to read about medicine just prior WWII, no penicillin, just learning about new surgical procedures and antiseptics, etc. "

    — Mickie, 3/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'll be really sad when I catch up to Patrick Taylor -- very wonderful, comforting books. "

    — Terry, 12/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Done. They are gentle reads with some irritating characters. "

    — Mary, 7/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " not one of his better books "

    — Sue, 12/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Enjoyed the series. Awaiting the next chapter in this series. "

    — Denise, 10/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Delightful and thought provoking story of a young man studying to be a physician. he learns to see the patient as more than just symptoms and acknowledges that their surroundings and lifestyle can affect their health. he uses his influence to help some of them rise up to a higher station in life. "

    — Rena, 9/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " My favorite in the series so far!! "

    — Angela, 11/9/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I thoroughly enjoyed this book of Patrick Taylor's. The Irish County Wedding is out in hardback, but alas, I will wait for a paperback version. I just can't get enough of my Irish Country Doctors. Splendid chaps! "

    — Kathleen, 7/23/2009
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Mr. Taylor had better be in the middle of writing the next book! :-) This book left me with more questions than answers. I'm eagerly awaiting the next in the series. "

    — Karyn, 6/26/2009

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.