Welcome back to Ballybucklebo!
*dances, throws four-leaf clovers in the air, and speaks with a laughably awful Irish accent*
I mean, that’s pretty much what I do whenever Patrick Taylor releases a new book in the Irish Country Doctor series. I’ve been reading this series since day one, and, as you’ll recall, several previous installments have made it into my Quick Look Books recommendations.
The latest novel, An Irish Country Cottage, is set in the usual 1960s village of Ballybucklebo. All of these books champion a simpler and gentler way of life, as told through the medical and personal adventures of Dr. Fingal O’Reilly and his apprentice, Dr. Barry Laverty.
How do I accurately describe the overwhelming appeal of Ballybucklebo? It’s kind of like Cheers – everybody knows your name, and everybody looks out for each other. There’s usually a town event everyone is excited for, and there’s always some kind of good-hearted mischeif brewing. Even though the townsfolk encounter hardships and heartaches, there’s always a friendly face down the pub to set things right again.
Now, combine all this lovey-dovey, small-town sweetness with the wildly beautiful landscape of rural Northern Ireland and lots of quirky, colloquial Irish dialect, and you’ve got youself the best escape read money can buy. You don’t need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy one on its own, but I heartily recommend doing so since they are all wonderful.
So. Now that I’ve waxed poetic on the inherent loveliness of the Irish Country Doctor series…I’m going to wreck it. Just a wee bit.
(Note: the following review contains spoilers for the series, but not for An Irish Country Cottage).
An Irish Country Cottage is a little different from the series’ previous novels, a fact Taylor warns you about in his introductory Author’s Note. For years, Ballybucklebo has seemed frozen in time, which is admittedly a vast part of the books’ charm. The series timeline begins in the early 1960s, but time has inevitably creeped forward, and it’s now 1969 in this newest novel — a calamitous year around the world, and particularly for Ireland. I admire Taylor for admitting that his carefully constructed microcosm could not stay sequestered from the real world forever, but I’m kinda miffed about it, too. Learning Ballybucklebo has its share of crap to handle is a little like learning there’s no Santa Claus.
While there are various things going on in An Irish Country Cottage, the book really focuses on two main storylines:
1) Irish politics circa 1969, which seem to affect everyone
2) Fertility problems plaguing young Dr. Barry Laverty and his new wife, Sue
Let’s talk about #1, albeit briefly. Now, if you have even a dim idea of what 1969 in Ireland means without further elaboration, you’re far more educated than I. I knew there was political strife in Ireland at many points (thank you, William Butler Yeats and “Zombie” by The Cranberries), but I couldn’t tell you any details. However, Patrick Taylor certainly can. An Irish Country Cottage delves deeply into the political strife of the time — “Orange and Green”; Catholics vs Protestants; one vote vs many, depending on what social class you’re in; women’s reproductive rights; inter-marrying between religions; etc.
Interestingly — and rather despairingly — the problems plaguing 1969 Ballybucklebo are not much different from all the craziness that’s going on in the world today. Which is precisely why I didn’t enjoy this particular storyline. One of the reasons I read Taylor’s series to escape reality, not have it mirrored back at me. While I acknowledge the importance of politics, in 1969 and in any other time period, I found myself skipping over a lot of the political parts because they were too heavy for me. Consequently, this means I skipped over large portions of the novel.
Let’s move on to Main Storyline #2: Barry and Sue. Despite the rampant sex they’re having, they can’t conceive a child.
If you’ve read my review of No One Tells You This, you know that this particular topic makes no nevermind to me. While I can certainly sympathize with desperately wanting a baby but being unable to conceive, I can’t really empathize with it. A lot of An Irish Country Cottage is devoted to Sue and Barry’s distress about not conceiving, as well to discussing various fertility treatments and procedures of the time. There’s nothing too gross or squeamish, but, again, for someone who isn’t gung-ho on having children, it’s an aspect of the novel I found, well, annoying.
Reader’s Note: if you’re experiencing infertility issues, you might want to tread carefully with this book. Sue’s concern for her inability to conceive is heartbreaking. Reading this will either be a balm for your pain or a trigger for your own anxieties.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff: Whenever An Irish Country Cottage managed to steer clear of the political and the infertile, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The heart of what makes Taylor’s series so appealing is still very present. Even though the harsh world is trickling into sheltered Ballybucklebo, the lovable town and its inhabitants retain their trademark charm for much of the novel. There was still enough of what I love about the Irish Country Doctor series to keep me reading through the rougher bits, and I’m still excited for the next installment in the series. (Whenever that is. Hopefully soon. Get on it, Patrick.)
Here’s the takeaway: If you want to become lost in the magic that is Ballybucklebo, I don’t recommend doing so for the first time with An Irish Country Cottage. You should start from the beginning of the series, with the very first book. Trust me, you’ll want to read all of them once you read the first one, so just start there.
And, if you’re a long-time reader of the series…well, just hang in there, and let’s hope book #14 brings us a bit less of the modern world and a bit more of the Ballybucklebo of old!
Share below if you’re Ballybucklebo villager at heart! I would love to hear what you think of the series, and of An Irish Country Cottage.
And, stay tuned for my book-inspired recipe: Cottage Pie!
I liked reading about the political because I was too young (and sheltered) to understand about the severe animosity over religion. I have always been ‘live and let live’, but I agree that this series has become an escape for me, and I, too, long for the return to Ballybucklebo and small village dilemmas!
Especially since their small village dilemmas aren’t even that small! Ballybucklebo residents are hardy folk, given what most of them have had to endure over the years. I feel they have quite enough on their plates without political drama added to it. 🙂
This is very really unique helpful information. keep it up. Thank you so much!
I learn so much from you as well! Thank you so much for sharing your helpful information.
Thanks so much, Martina and Sharon! I’m glad my reviews are helpful to you. I feel it’s always good to know a little bit (not a lot!) about a book before going into it. 🙂