Fingal O’Reilly, Irish Doctor: An Irish Country Novel

Fingal O’Reilly is the established doctor in Ballybucklebo, Ireland. He is home from his honeymoon, enjoying his new life with old flame, Kitty. While young Barry decides whether to specialize or return to join Dr. O’Reilly’s general practice, another new doctor, Jenny Bradley, is working to help the townsfolk accept a female doctor. Everything going on makes Fingal remember his own days as a new doctor in Dublin, and chapters alternate between his past (1936) and present (1965).

I’ve seen the Irish Country series before, but this is the first one I’ve read. Though it’s the eighth book in the set, it was relatively simple to slip into the world and learn the characters that more devoted fans already know. Definitely character-driven, this is a book to read for the atmosphere. Taylor uses dialect, but records it clearly, and if it’s too difficult, backmatter includes an extensive glossary and even a handful of Kinky Kincaid’s recipes. While I don’t normally enjoy being “taught” in my fiction, explanations of medical history, politics, literature, and more add depth to an already fascinating read. It’s like listening to Grandma’s stories, but on a larger scale, with an Irish twist.