Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor (Irish Country #8) by Patrick Taylor

Fingal O'Reilly, Irish Doctor (Irish Country #8) Reviews

• 
  Paul Weiss

  Before and after with Kitty O’Halloran!
  
  FINGAL O’REILLY, IRISH DOCTOR resumes the story of the much-loved family doctor of 1960s Ballybuckleboo , Ireland, after his recent marriage to Kitty O’Halloran, his long-lost Dublin sweetheart.
  
  The format of alternating present day in 1960s Northern Ireland with flashbacks to 1930s Dublin when O’Reilly was a keen medical student allows Taylor to use the technique of “compare and contrast” between O’Halloran’s life as a student vis-à-vis his career as a successful, much-loved general practitioner; his courting days with O’Halloran versus his much delayed married life with a lover thought lost forever; current techniques and technological advances in general practice and family medicine; and even the sadly ongoing state of endemic misogyny against females who dare to enter the male bastion of medicine.
  
  FINGAL O’REILLY, IRISH DOCTOR is the eighth entry in this popular Canadian series that now extends to fourteen novels and, at least at the end of this one, there is no reason to think the rose’s bloom is fading. Indeed, the list of positives one could use to describe the story remains lengthy indeed – heartwarming, evocative, compelling, instructive, informative, and amusing, among others, come very quickly to mind. An enjoyable series that is easy to recommend.
  
  Paul Weiss
• 
  Jean

  I enjoyed the Irish Doctor series and thought it was finished a number of years ago. I was pleasantly surprised to discover it is still on going. This book is the first one out after I had stop reading the series.
  
  In this book the author flashes back and forth between the past and present of O’Reilly’s life. Taylor goes back to O’Reilly’s early days just after graduating from medical school. In 1936, he goes to work in the Dublin tenements in a street dispensary (medical clinic). It is here we meet nurse Kitty O’Halloran as they are dating.
  
  Then Taylor flashed forward to when Kitty and Fingal are married and he is a senior partner in a practice in Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland. O’Reilly has hired a woman physician and some of the patients are balking at seeing a woman. If I remember from the other books, the series ranges in time from late 1920s to late 1950s. I found the section where O’Reilly is participating in a research project with sulfur drugs most interesting.
  
  The book is well written. The characters are unforgettable and Fingal is getting grumpy as he ages. The house keeper Kinky is a delight. The book is ideal for an audio book because of the various Irish accents and words.
  
  I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is almost seventeen hours long. John Keating does a superb job narrating the book. Keating is an actor and an award -winning audiobook narrator.
  
  
• 
  Obsidian

  Still really enjoyed this one via my most recent re-read.
  
  Previous review.
  I am so sad to come to the end of this newest Irish Country books since it appears fans will have to wait at least another year for the newest one in this series.
  
  This novel takes place several weeks after Fingal and Kitty have married and returned from their honeymoon. Unlike in other novels there is not really anything that Fingal needs to involve himself with pertaining to the village. This novel flashes back to after Fingal qualified as a doctor and was working in Dublin while still dating Kitty and present day with him working in the village and adjusting to being a husband again.
  
  I really did love reading about the working conditions for doctors in Dublin and how sad it was to read how the poor coped in tenement housing back then. Also it helped showcase how food and living conditions did impact what diseases the poor had to cope with.
  
  Even though this novel focuses on Fingal we do get to see glimpses of Barry and see how he is liking the OBGYN specialty he decided upon undertaking.
  
  My only complaint (and it is a minor one and not enough for me to lower this a star) is that we really don't get a chance to immerse ourselves in the new character of Jenny (the doctor who took over from Barry). I thought that was a missed opportunity since I would have liked how she thought of Fingal, Kitty, and get to see how she handled being a woman doctor responding to calls on her own. We do get to read and see how the village responded to Jenny and being a woman doctor but I felt since we did not get a third person point of view for her we were only allowed to see how Fingal responded to it.
  
  That said, I really did love this book and hope we may get another novella in between this and the next full length Irish Country books.
• 
  Lisa of Hopewell

  I love this series (except for "An Irish Country Girl" which I thought was ridiculous), but it seemed to me that the author was "coasting" on this one.
  
  First the good: The story was as wonderful as Taylor's series always is. The characters are among my favorites. I honestly look forward to each new book in this series so much so that I hate to criticize, but I must.
  
  Now, The bad: Too much overly-stilted conversation drawn from newspapers of the day, old medical textbooks and the like. It is a series that does need medical explanations, but they got pretty long-winded in this one. When a character says something like "So, do you think England's King Edward will abdicate" and when a guy in a pub started pontificating in very newspaper-ish language about the Civil War in Spain, I groaned. It sometimes seemed as though he was stringing bits of story together with Wikipedia articles too. A lot of tourist guide stuff was wedged in, too, and there were blatant pandering to the Americans who likely buy most of these books such as phrases along the lines of this one, "a medical specialty known in American as Internal Medicine" that sort of thing. A small footnote explaining a term would have been much nicer than a long-winded reference book piece that nearly dis-rails the story.
  
  All of that said, I AM EAGERLY looking forward to the next installment. I listened to the audio and John Keating's performance was, as always, outstanding. He IS the voice of these characters to me as I have enjoyed most of this series on audio.
  
  
  
  
• 
  Jill

  Having read all of Patrick's books and luckily having him as a delightful neighbour, I got a very early preview of it. I must say his books get better and better all the time. Besides letting us revel in the charm of the Ballybucklebo residents, Fingal O'Reilly's stories lead us to more and more facets of his life and broaden the horizons of his (and our) world. And just you wait for the next one!
• 
  Susan

  It has been awhile since my last visit to Ballybucklebo, and being there again was lovely. This book hops back and forth between Fingal in his current life and Fingal as a new doctor working in the slums of Dublin. The transitions are handled smoothly, with each trip to the past instigated by something that is happening in the present.
  
  In the portions that take place in Dublin, Fingal has taken a post as a GP (general practitioner), helping an older doctor in the Liberties section of Dublin. The poverty and disease there are terrible and Fingal feels a calling to help alleviate as much as he can. As we have seen in previous books, Fingal's personality is such that he gets deeply involved in the lives of his patients. I loved the way that each one was brought to life, making me feel as if I were standing right at his elbow watching what happens. Fingal also stays close to his medical school friends, which include fun times and also times of great intensity. There are also some interesting bits of medical history slipped in, such as the development of antibiotics and the enormous difference they make, and the later advances in cardiology, such as the invention of the portable defibrillator. On a personal side, Fingal's romance with Kitty continues, but it isn't all smooth sailing. In the end, we finally find out what parted them for so many years.
  
  Back in Ballbucklobo, Fingal and Kitty are back from their honeymoon and settling into married life. It's really sweet to see how happy they are together. Fingal is settling back into his practice after being away on his honeymoon, and catching up on the lives of his patients and neighbors. Besides the day to day illnesses, there are a few more intense moments. A riding accident that causes a broken leg, a mysterious chest pain, and heart trouble for our irascible councilman bring a bit of excitement to the practice.
  
  While Dr. Barry Laverty is away, studying to be an OB/GYN, Fingal has a temporary doctor helping out. She's a lovely young lady doctor, which has some of the residents pretty stirred up. It's a reminder that female doctors were few and far between, and not always readily accepted. I enjoyed seeing Jenny win people over. Fingal is torn because, if Barry elects to return to Ballbucklebo, he will have to let Jenny go, as there isn't enough business for three doctors. As he is a man who likes to fix things, he agonizes over what to do. There's an interesting twist to the end that solves everyone's problems.
  
  Also running through the modern side of the story is housekeeper "Kinky" Kincaid's romance with the local milkman. Their courtship was sweet and I loved following along. There's a great scene with Kinky confessing her worry over what would happen to the household if she marries and leaves the O'Reillys. I also loved her sweetheart's conversation with Fingal near the end of the book.
  
  I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next four books and catching up. Some of them cover his time in the navy and I can't wait to read all about it.
• 
  Shannon

  3.5 stars rounded up because the audiobook reader does such a good job. I always enjoy these books for the most part, but I'm also always just a bit bored. I liked the back and forth nature of the narrative, with parts being set in the "present" and other parts in the past and how they connected, but there were times where I really wished things would just move along. There's just never quite enough happening for me, never quite enough of a plot and always a bit too much fluff. Sometimes the fluff is quite fun and entertaining, but sometimes it makes everything really drag. Based on what happened at the end of this book, I'm betting the next book in the series will be a bit better.
• 
  Eden

  2020 bk 222. I enjoyed this book the best of the Irish Country Series I've read so far. It focuses on Dr. O'Reilly, providing his back story. He truly is a man who was blessed by doing what he wanted to do, and where he wanted to do it, and he knows that. Not a selfish man, he wants what he has for others and is blessed to have a giving heart.
• 
  Kathy

  I received this book as a winner of the First Reads Giveaway Program. I loved it! Having read the others, it was like coming home again and getting back in touch with familiar characters. It is comforting to know that this series has not ended - now I'll have to wait for the next book. Dr. Fingal O'Reilly and the others are as vivid in my mind as if I truly met them in real life. The book intertwined the past and present and Dr. Taylor even provided some interesting medical history as part of the plot. Thank you, Goodreads and Patrick Taylor for this book. It needs to be read, enjoyed, and celebrated, and shared with friends.
• 
  R.M. Kinder

  This is my first Patrick Taylor book about Fingal O'Reilly, and I love it. I'm not so enamored with the doctor himself, but with the people, the vibrant dialect, the values--the entire world. It's tough because of the poverty--which the good doctor and family see and lament but do not suffer--but the heart of community is so good. I love too the way Taylor weaves in his special knowledge of medicine, past and emerging, home and clinic treatments, literature, music, politics, American music and film. I've acquired some delightful words, too.
• 
  Jenna Gareis

  Five things about Fingal O’Reilly, Irish Doctor by Patrick Taylor 5/5⭐️s
  
  1. Back to five stars with this o e after a little 3 star hiccup with the last one.
  2. I’m not going to write a five things review for this one.
  3. At this point, it’s like the series is one long book and each book in the series but a chapter.
  4. This, the deeper into the series I find myself, the harder I find it to review just this single chapter.
  5. Know that I continue to live it, seven books in, and you should maybe give it a try if you have not yet.
  
• 
  Rachel

  I recieved this book for free through the goodreads first reads program. I loved it! Fingal O'Reilly is such a lovable and relateable character. I was worried at first about the book jumping between past and present, but Taylor did an amazing job of seaming the two times together. A truly enjoyable read.
• 
  Linden

  The story alternates between Dr. Fingal O'Reilly's current medical practice in the Irish village of Ballybucklebo, and his early days as a new graduate in Dublin. The narrator, John Keating, brings the story to life with has wonderful assortment of Irish voices.
• 
  Mary

  Alternating chapters of Dr O’Reilly in Dublin in 1936 with Kitty and in Ballybucklebo in 1965 again with Kitty. I love the sense of place and times and the medical details are very interesting. The characters are endearing and it’s a pleasure to read.
• 
  Coleen

  Dr. O'Reilly is a young doctor in the Irish village of Ballybucklebo in 1936. He is just getting started, but is dedicated and interested in learning about both the practice of medicine and the patients he is treating. He is under the tutelage of an experienced Doctor whose life is basically devoted to his practice of medicine and his patients. Dr. O'Reilly fits right in.
  
  Fast forward to 1965 and the same Dr. Reilly is still practicing medicine with a relatively new doctor who is in a similar situation as he was thirty years previous. This is the present, but the story flips back and forth - as do many popular books these days. Both time period stories are interesting and Taylor is a good author. He provides a lengthy glossary at the end of the book which proves very helpful [at least once one realizes it is there!]
  
  The only drawback that I had with the book was that the time periods were rather difficult to figure. They did not alternate chapters, and the chapters weren't labeled. The years weren't part of the dialogue in the chapters after the beginning. So as I read along, I had to try to guess at whether it was the time around 1936 or the time from 1965. The middle period was absent but gave me some idea of what might have happened but was let mysteriously without any factual information.
  As I read further into the book towards the end, and then realized the entire 'middle' would not be disclosed, I was rather annoyed.
  
  What I found out after I finished was that this book is one of a series of books involving Fingal O'Reilly, an Irish Doctor. The others have a variation of the title. But apparently one of the other books [I am unsure which one] fills in the missing information. Unhappily, I will never know. This book was selected for one of my Book Clubs, and I doubt that we will read another one of his... nor do I plan to seek to find the book that provides all of the missing information.
• 
  Patricia

  This book flips between times from Fingal's early years as a doctor and his present time in the village. There are times that I like this kind of flip flop but I think I would have preferred to read about his early life first and then another book about the goings-on in the village. I loved both of them but my old brain felt like I was reading two books so I felt that I went slower reading it.
• 
  Jennifer

  This started out very strong and interesting. I felt it was perhaps on its way to being a book similar to those of the real-life James Herriot, the veterinary doctor who wrote books about his work. This is a book about a country GP who practiced in the poorest of poor towns in Ireland. This story unfortunately stalled and never seemed to pick up speed again.
• 
  Michele Frazier

  These books are so interesting, they take you back to a time where modern medicine did not exist. Treatments were iffy and the world was on the edge of medical miracles.
• 
  Sharone Powell

  Navigating between Fingal's life as a newly married man at present to Fingal's work in the tenements of Dublin before the war. Fingal becomes attached to his patients and feels that being a GP is his life's calling. Of particular interest is him risking his career in order to save a poor boy's life by the use of a new kind of antibiotics. That was my favorite part.
  
  Other than that, nothing is much developed. I would have preferred a novel set completely in the past or the present and a story better fleshed out. Amongst the many, little stories: Kitty redecorates the doctor's office (oh, those roses on the wall!); Kitty as a young woman dating Fingal, but feeling second to his job; Counselor Bishop suffering a life-altering cardiac arrest; Barry Lafferty makes his decision about specializing vs. coming back to work with Fingal. Personally, I would have loved to have read more about Barry's experiences whilst specializing and more about what caused him to decide what he did. I feel as though the first books had revolved around him and Fingal, but later he becomes one of many characters, which is a shame.
  
  Also, the constant use of small, historical anecdotes really gets out of hand, in a sense that it really disrupts the flow of the stories.
• 
  Diana

  This book is a great addition to a wonderful series, once I started it I couldn't put it down. These books are very entertaining, and I'm glad they were recommended to me. If you enjoy James Herriot or Richard Gordon these books are for you.
  
  Re-read 2018
  This book alternates between the current timeline of the books of the mid-1960's, and the late 1930's when Dr. O'Reilly first becomes a practicing doctor. We're starting to get some of the original storylines wrapped up and new ones beginning. The most interesting storyline for me was the small look into how a female doctor was treated as a General Practitioner during the 60's, both the good and the bad.
• 
  Pamela

  I adore the Irish Country Doctor books. The instant I open the cover, I'm transported to another place and time where I can spend time with some old friends. These books are absolutely delightful and this one is no exception. You know you're reading a good book when between the covers you can experience laughter and tears and the story touches your heart. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Ballybucklebo.
• 
  Patricia

  I definitely want to read this whole series! Patrick Taylor has created a wonderful, compassionate character in Fingal O'Reilly and all who come into his life. It's funny, sad, witty, and everything that's wonderful and Irish. Taylor has also included a glossary of sayings and vocabulary that greatly helped me understand ; not that it was hard to read. This is a pleasure! Give this series a try!
• 
  Patrice Fischer

  I would give this book (1 of several in a series) a 4.5.
  I'm sure this author isn't for everyone. However, at bedtime it's nice to read a novel that is not too taxing on either intellect or emotions. Plus, I learn quite a few things about Ireland/medical practice/life in the 1960's each time.
  All in all, a satisfying read.
• 
  Joan

  Such fun, reading this book and learning how much the practice of medicine has changed with the added interest of the setting in Ireland. The characters are of continued interest.