The Young Country Doctor Book 2: Bilbury Grange

The Young Country Doctor #2

by Vernon Coleman

Bilbury Grange is the second in Vernon Coleman's series of Bilbury books. The place is the English county of Devon. The time is the 1970s. A young doctor, just married and in a new home (a vast and rambling country house in desperate need of repairs and renovation), has taken over a small village practice when suddenly the authorities decide that the village isn't big enough to have its own doctor. The villagers decide otherwise. Bilbury is the village everyone dreams of living in. It's the village where people speak to strangers and where doors are left unlocked. Bilbury Grange is the story of village life in the 1970s and it centres on the young doctor and his lovely wife. But its also about the people who live there and it is a story of great happiness and joy, some tragedy and many dramas.`For sheer relaxing pleasure here's another witty tale from the doctor whose prolific writings are so well known.' BBC Bookshelf`A wonderful book for relaxing and unwinding. Makes you want to up roots and move to the rural heartland.' Lincolnshire Echo`A cornucopia of colourful characters help to weave a rich tapestry of village life subtly tempered with gentle humour...the mixture of rural beauty, human nature and the odd whisper of nostalgia combine to make this book a real delight.' Western Gazette`The tales he tells are truly uplifting and thought provoking. They are a breath of fresh air in a troubled world and are also very amusing.' Peoples Friend`I have just finished reading Bilbury Grange. I found the book to be brilliant. I felt as though I was part of the community.' Mr C, CleethorpesVernon Coleman, a qualified doctor and GP, is the bestselling author of over 100 books which have sold more than two million copies in the UK and been translated into 24 languages. In addition to the Bilbury books his work includes Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War (which has been filmed), Mr Henry Mulligan, Second Innings, It's Never Too Late and Paris in my Springtime. His medical books include Bodypower and How to Stop Your Doctor Killing You. Dr Coleman has presented many TV and radio programmes and written columns for leading newspapers and magazines around the world.What the papers say about Vernon Coleman and his books: Vernon Coleman writes brilliant books - The Good Book GuideColeman is a very funny writer - This England Superstar - Independent on SundayA godsend - Daily TelegraphNo thinking person can ignore him - The EcologistThe calmest voice of reason - The ObserverBrilliant - The PeopleCompulsive reading - The GuardianHis message is important - The EconomistHis advice is optimistic and enthusiastic - British Medical JournalThe man is a national treasure - What doctors don't tell youRevered guru of medicine -Nursing TimesMarvellously succinct, refreshingly sensible - The SpectatorProbably one of the most brilliant men alive today - Irish TimesKing of the media docs - The IndependentBritain's leading medical author - The StarBritain's leading health care campaigner - The SunThe patients' champion - Birmingham PostThe doctor who dares to speak his mind - Oxford MailHe writes lucidly and wittily - Good Housekeepingetc et

Genres: Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, British Literature, Humor

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

There is a full biog on www.vernoncoleman.com
Hundreds of free articles, reviews etc and no adverts at all

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this series. Love the characters. Love the coziness. Love the lack of major plot twists and turns. Love the peacefulness. Love the countryside. This series makes me feel young again. Great read for the stress of the pandemic.

[Marcia Louden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Wonderful book about a small town country doctor along the lines of books written by Patrick Taylor. This is the second book in the series, both were delightful. I usually don't read two books in a row by the same author but I will be reading this series without stopping.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'll admit it's a bit like a reading a soapie script but these books are very entertaining, amusing and the stories are very inventive and I'm devouring them as a fast rate. My main concern is that I can read faster that Vernon Coleman can write so inevitably I'll run out in the end. However, I did see on his biog that he's written 100 books, so I'm safe for a while.

[Arlene Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading and pleasant, as in the James Herriot novels or Alexander McCall Smith ones. I will read all of Vernon Coleman's novels.

[Eilidh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 is not quite as engaging as book 1, but still worth reading. Coleman has a deft touch for describing the idyllic village & it's townspeople. As a physician, he also presents himself as an inept idiot at times. He'd never be able to conduct himself in such an unprofessional manner in the 21st century. He also starts to deviate towards a liberal bent in this story, which dampens my enthusiasm for the story, yet he's a capable descriptive writer. If you google the author, he comes off as an "oddball". He also seems to loose his enthusiasm as a physician, which makes him less likeable. He sours on the profession and demeans the specialists he depends on- a sign of his own shortcomings. I do wish he'd stuck with the basic story of the young country doctor in the quaint village who DIY's a crumbling manor house. He does that quite well. James Herriot never lost his love for his patients or his profession which sets him in contrast with Coleman.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life in the small village of Bilbury continues for this young doctor and his wife Patsy. Bilbury Grange needs of a new roof, and a trusty friend saves them from being swindled. Patsy's father mistakenly takes their four pet sheep to auction, and they need to come up with an imaginative way to get them back. Their garage flat becomes a temporary home to a series of dodgy renters. Meanwhile, the medical authorities decide that the village isn't big enough to have its own doctor, and the options aren't appealing at all. And so, life goes on in this quiet village with its quirky characters, and even though it's not all happy-go-lucky, it is always endearing and heartwarming.

[Carolyn Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent Bilbury book

The first book in Dr. Vernon Coleman's Bilbury Series was so beautifully written that I eagerly read book 2: Bilbury Grange, which continues the story of a young country doctor and his new wife,Patsy, with a colourful supporting cast of both village and city characters, and richly-described situations that make page-turning reading and create mental pictures putting the reader smack-dab in the middle of a 1970s sea-side village in England. Now, onward to book 3!

[Vicki Mencarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really , really loved Book 1 & 2 !!!! I love the smooth flow of the story & all quirky characters

inter mixed throughout the books !! My favorite characters are the How's the doctor Erase the dot.how's the Doctor & his lovely and Pasty , her amazing love of life & her husband & her beautiful quaint Town !!! I can't wait to read the next book !!!



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[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I imagine that these stories are semi biographical. However, I thought them not particularly well written, I'm afraid and far from the hilarious as apparently other readers have found them. As I understand Dr. Coleman has his own publishing house, does his own advertising and sells vast quantities of books I'm sure he can afford to ignore my opinion!!

[M Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book,.......

I am loving this series. The author Vernon Coleman does a wonderful job with the characters, and describing the beauty of Bilbury and rural areas around. He captures the quintessential life of a village in the 70s using a blend of humour, tragedy and always optimism.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a disappointed with this Book #2 after having fun with Book #1. The author seemed to not have constructed a very engaging plot. It was too predictable and had a sense of pushing vegetarianism and animal rights which I found hard to jump into after the first book of a country doctor practice.

[D Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Progress threatens Bilbury

My second enjoyable read from Mr. Vernon Coleman. I have fallen in love with Bilbury Grange and could imagine myself in the garden there petting the cats and picking strawberries.

[Kaye Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

This is a great series of books! You will fall in love with the village,and the wonderful people it is filled with,they are funny ,warm,and familiar. An innocent time, and charmingly written.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed continuing on with the story about this country doctor in book 2 and so have gone on to book 3 but am enjoying it less. Still an easy read, very descriptive and humorous but I think that I'll finish with this one.

[Christine Cazeneuve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Warm Read

Reading this series is like slipping on your favorite pair of slippers at the end of the day. It has warmth, humor, intrigues, suspense and a great deal of human nature. A wonderful summer read.

[Renier · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Another very enjoyable book in this series. Just love the way Vernon Coleman writes and all these funny stories.
Had a few good chuckles in this book. It was not as funny and eventful as the first book, but still very enjoyable.
Love all the colorful characters and their funny antic.

[Cynthia Oxman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

A relaxing read with wonderful characters. Second in the series was enjoyable as the first. Made me want to move in with them

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second series of the young country doctor, very good.

[Nick Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again: ye olde England stories of a GP in a Devon village. Nice, entertaining, cozy.

[Deb Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books. They are warm and funny. If you want to read some books that leave you feeling good, try all the Bilbury Young Doctor books.

[Christina Hamby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Book

It is a pleasant book, second in the series. It isn't one Thursdays you in and you can't put it down. It's kind to read on a quiet relaxing day.

[Wil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuation of Book 1.

[Joyce Sapon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book as good as the first

Loved how the characters are described and personalities are unique. Looking forward to reading the next one, hooked on the story.!

[Dee Ohliger · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. A bit to slow for me.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this one too

[Marion Granigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those series, like those involving Fairacre, Thrush Green, and Darrowby, where you feel you know all these folks for real, and it's a treat to catch up with them all. Just a pleasure to read..

[CAROLYN · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book

The story continues the tale of the small village of Bilbury. The descriptions of the villagers and their stories are charming.

[Cynthia Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

See my review of book one in the series

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure I'd actually like this author, if I met him in person; however, this opinion is based on some reading I've done about him on the Internet, his beliefs, his soapboxes, his rather strident opinions (most of which I disagree with).
HOWEVER: These books on his early life as a country doctor in rural England are really delightful escapist reading. I'm not particularly 'learning' anything important by reading them, but neither am I truly wasting my time - because I read the 1st one in 2 days and the 2nd one in a single day...and they make a delightful way to pass time when it's cold outside, a cat is in my lap, and a cup of chai latté is at my elbow. Nor am I 'wasting' money, as the Kindle downloads cost $2-3 apiece.
I have some major quibbles w the editing and the way conversation is written, but these could be the result of transition of print to electronic publication, so I'm letting it go.
Good, funny, gentle, nostalgic...

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Between reading book one and this volume I read up a little on the author, and he definitely has opinions about many political and health issues. I probably wouldn't agree with a lot of them, but in this book he did a great job of introducing some of his opinions without turning it into a polemic. It was interesting to read about some of his career struggles and the reasons for them, and as always there were some funny stories too. I was pretty sure how the book was going to end, but I enjoyed it.