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Bryson City
Bryson City Seasons: More Tales of a Doctor’s Practice in the Smoky Mountains
Welcome to Bryson City, a small town tucked away in a fold of North Carolina's Smoky Mountains. The scenery is breathtaking, the home cooking can't be beat, the Maroon Devils football team is the pride of the town, and you won't find better steelhead fishing anywhere. But the best part is the people you're about to meet in the pages of Bryson City Seasons . In this joyous sequel to his bestselling Bryson City Tales , Dr. Walt Larimore whisks you along on a journey through the seasons of a Bryson City year. On the way, you'll encounter crusty mountain men, warmhearted townspeople, peppery medical personalities, and the hallmarks of a simpler, more wholesome way of life. Culled from the author's experiences as a young doctor settling into rural medical practice, these captivating stories are a celebration of this richly textured miracle called life. "The whole book is delightful. My only criticism: there wasn't enough of it!" Margaret Brand, MD, co-laborer with Dr. Paul Brand in leprosy work in India
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 18, 2019
additional great stories of Dr in small town. Also showed more about his family and their faith. How as a Dad and as a DR different points of view and sometimes the same about his daughter's disability.
January 26, 2009
In this second book in Dr. Larimore's Bryson City series, he delves more deeply into the role spirituality plays in healing. For quite awhile, I've believed that the body, soul and mind are so interconnected that you can't address healing in one aspect without considering the others. Having a Christian belief system, I understand that God created man in His image. We speak of the holy trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a mystery how one God can exist in three persons - but since we are made in His image, I've tended to think of it kind of like our own mind (similar to the Father's role), body (the Son of God Incarnate), and soul (similar to the Holy Spirit). All three aspects of each human being have separate roles, yet they exist in one person.
Anyway, having this belief system made me especially intrigued in Dr. Larimore's book as he explored similar ideas and put them into use in his medical practice, when it was appropriate to do so. I am hoping this is a trend that is gaining momentum . . . or maybe it is more common in smaller towns. I lived in major metropolitan areas for 14 years and found the doctors to be very scientific in their approach; "caring" came more from the nurses and nursing assistants. But in the small-town practice that I go to now, there is much more emphasis on the docs getting to know me as a whole person, not just a body with physical symptoms to diagnose and treat.
Along with the doctor's exploration of whole-person healing, his book includes some amusing and interesting anecdotes and a deeply personal look at his family life, including his beautiful daughter who had a strong enough spirit to overcome a physical disability far more than anticipated. As far as anecdotes, one involving bobcats was my favorite.
The doctor's writing seems to capture the hearts and souls of the people who lived in this small town, as well as those who lived even more remotely in the mountains. It is amazing to see the advances that have been made in medicine, too, during my lifetime. Things that were new when Dr. Larimore began his practice have become widespread now (unfortunately, like the first case of AIDS he dealt with). In all of his encounters with patients and neighbors, Dr. Larimore writes with compassion and a deep desire to help the individuals in his community.
Believe me, if you've read this far in my comments, you should read this book! It is well worth it.
Anyway, having this belief system made me especially intrigued in Dr. Larimore's book as he explored similar ideas and put them into use in his medical practice, when it was appropriate to do so. I am hoping this is a trend that is gaining momentum . . . or maybe it is more common in smaller towns. I lived in major metropolitan areas for 14 years and found the doctors to be very scientific in their approach; "caring" came more from the nurses and nursing assistants. But in the small-town practice that I go to now, there is much more emphasis on the docs getting to know me as a whole person, not just a body with physical symptoms to diagnose and treat.
Along with the doctor's exploration of whole-person healing, his book includes some amusing and interesting anecdotes and a deeply personal look at his family life, including his beautiful daughter who had a strong enough spirit to overcome a physical disability far more than anticipated. As far as anecdotes, one involving bobcats was my favorite.
The doctor's writing seems to capture the hearts and souls of the people who lived in this small town, as well as those who lived even more remotely in the mountains. It is amazing to see the advances that have been made in medicine, too, during my lifetime. Things that were new when Dr. Larimore began his practice have become widespread now (unfortunately, like the first case of AIDS he dealt with). In all of his encounters with patients and neighbors, Dr. Larimore writes with compassion and a deep desire to help the individuals in his community.
Believe me, if you've read this far in my comments, you should read this book! It is well worth it.
July 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and the first one in this series. The characters are delightful to read about.
May 25, 2018
It's a continuation of the story he began in Bryson City Tales. You learn more about Kate, and her medical problems. There's more of the same small town hospital and just small town stuff. Larimore gets kind of preachy in this one, but it's still an interesting story. I somehow doubt that in the midst of all this stuff he had the deep, intricate thoughts he attributes to himself. And I think both he and his wife are kind of annoying. Yet, it's like a slightly over zealous neighbor. They're interesting, entertaining, not bad neighbors and dang, I'm glad I'm not married to either of them.
October 26, 2020
Intimate and encouraging
The small town episodes were delightful and amusing, intimate and insightful. The perspectives of a newcomer doctor are portrayed with compassion. I found my own attitude was lifted and encouraged as I read through the quirky encounters, as well as the trials and discoveries when Walt’s very human responses reveal stumbling blocks of tradition, habit and prejudices. His honest self appraisal presented an example to follow. Quite enjoyable.
The small town episodes were delightful and amusing, intimate and insightful. The perspectives of a newcomer doctor are portrayed with compassion. I found my own attitude was lifted and encouraged as I read through the quirky encounters, as well as the trials and discoveries when Walt’s very human responses reveal stumbling blocks of tradition, habit and prejudices. His honest self appraisal presented an example to follow. Quite enjoyable.
January 15, 2020
I enjoyed hearing of Dr. Walt's life in NC and the medical encounters he had. As a person in medicine, I learned some things, laughed, and cried as we went through the years covered in the 3 books. Highly recommended even for non-medical people as he explains things in terms everyone can understand.
September 27, 2021
It was OK, like the first book. I confess to skimming the fishing chapters. The story of their daughter's surgery was interesting, and I liked the chapters of medical situations. The "Miss Flame" contest was a negative to me. No wonder those men who participated felt self conscious. I'll probably read book 3, because they are somewhat interesting, but to say I'm "hooked" is too strong.
May 8, 2017
Delightful, heartwarming, charming, engaging - what's not to like? I can hardly wait to find the prequel and the sequel! As the last chapter ends, the reader is aware that there is more to come, and not all of it is good!
November 28, 2020
Another enjoyable memoir from the Smoky Mountain doctor in Bryson City, NC. I may react to these books more than many because of the memories spent in Bryson City that are held dear in my memory bank. However, Dr. Larimore's stories move me to laugh and to cry, and they teach as well as entertain. There's lots of medical detail, but I found this just to add to the relevance of the life and times in Bryson City during the time he writes. It reveals the difficulties and the joys of a small town family doctor who has chosen a life of service rather than a practice with more financial reward and less struggles.
May 10, 2017
continuation of a sweet story of how a new physician moves into his practice, marriage and faith.
Very well written
Very well written
September 20, 2017
Still enjoying the series. Easy read.
June 18, 2019
Since we have visited Bryson City a few times and it is where we spent our Honeymoon, I love hearing about the places there but in story form. I love this book and am sure I will love the series.
May 5, 2020
3-1/2*
July 10, 2020
Entertaining real stories about a small town doctor in North Carolina
September 21, 2021
Enjoyable, wholesome read.
November 1, 2021
Easy read chapters - simple USA rural life - good moral advice
May 18, 2022
Absolutely loved this one. He may blend fact and fiction, but it's all totally real, none-the-less.
November 26, 2022
Some interesting stories, but the conversations were cheesy. I just couldn’t finish it.
December 30, 2022
I personally enjoyed the initial book more, although this was quite good.
November 25, 2012
This is the second in a series of books that tell of Larimore's move to the small town of Bryson City, North Carolina to serve as a family doctor and the events and characters that he encountered there. Bryson has changed identifying details to protect patient privacy, but he includes information about his own family and the issues they encounter.
Bryson City is in the Great Smoky Mountains, just outside the park, and offers a variety of experiences to a doctor that he wouldn't encounter in city practice. For Dr. Larimore, God is a center to his life and many of the experiences he relates here show that. Although references to this occur throughout the book, it doesn't come across as preachy or false (unlike some others I've read), and he is honest about his own questioning. Larimore and his wife have a young daughter with a severe case of cerebral palsy and their experience with this is told in the book as well. Larimore sees accidents, diseases, and personal tragedies in his practice and tells of them with humour and honesty. He talks about his own choices, questions, and concerns as well.
This book that centers on small town life and the feeling of community that comes to the fore there. In this book, Larimore has really become part of the community, along with his family. These are what I categorize as "nice reads" where you learn something and feel good after reading.
Bryson City is in the Great Smoky Mountains, just outside the park, and offers a variety of experiences to a doctor that he wouldn't encounter in city practice. For Dr. Larimore, God is a center to his life and many of the experiences he relates here show that. Although references to this occur throughout the book, it doesn't come across as preachy or false (unlike some others I've read), and he is honest about his own questioning. Larimore and his wife have a young daughter with a severe case of cerebral palsy and their experience with this is told in the book as well. Larimore sees accidents, diseases, and personal tragedies in his practice and tells of them with humour and honesty. He talks about his own choices, questions, and concerns as well.
This book that centers on small town life and the feeling of community that comes to the fore there. In this book, Larimore has really become part of the community, along with his family. These are what I categorize as "nice reads" where you learn something and feel good after reading.
March 29, 2011
I enjoyed the book. As a nurse, it was interesting to read about the first times he treated someone with toxic shock sydrome, AIDS, and flesh eating bacteria. He treated people before he had even read about it in medical literature. Dr. Larimore describes the politics of medicine and the sad part is that it exists everywhere and makes life very difficult for some doctors. I didn't like the end when he describes some changes that were coming in his life. Just sounded like he wanted to write another book and have the reader hooked into it.
May 21, 2012
What an uplifting and enjoyable read. HIs stories are fun and intersting. Lots of good upbeat storytelling. I am now ready to enjoy the 3rd in this series. The emotions he shares in his tales are full of vibrant details. His views of the surrounding beauty of the mountains help my personal reflections on hiking trips I have had in the Smokey Mountains. This was a feel good read.
August 13, 2016
Book 2 in this series is just as delightful as book #1. Walk along with Dr. Larimore as he enhances his ways to treat patients in a medical, spiritual, and caring manner. He treats diseases, such as AIDS, that are common place today but were ground breaking and unknown then. Can't wait to begin book #3!
July 19, 2009
I'm not sure if I did a review of the original, "Bryson City Tales" but both books were an entertaining read. If you enjoy nonfiction tales of the medical world, mixed with some wonderful Christian insight, these are the books for you.
November 23, 2008
(book, true accounts)
a. Again, another book about the life of Dr. Walt Larimore in and around his practice in Bryson City. – 5 STARS
a. Again, another book about the life of Dr. Walt Larimore in and around his practice in Bryson City. – 5 STARS
November 24, 2009
Not quite as good as the first book because it had some of the same stories, but still very entertaining.
January 24, 2010
Delightful true story of a small town doctor in the Great Smokey Mountains.
July 8, 2010
This book really touched me.
July 10, 2011
Having read his first book, B C Tales, I thought this would be good. It was fine, but he tended to rehash some of his original "tales" and was a little heavy on the medical terms.
August 3, 2013
I would gladly read book 3 if the library could find a copy via non-charging interlibrary loans, but alas it is not to be. :) I love this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews