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Irish Country #4
An Irish Country Girl
Readers of Patrick Taylor’s books know Mrs. Kinky Kincaid as the unflappable housekeeper who looks after two frequently frazzled doctors in the colourful Irish village of Ballybucklebo. She is a trusted fixture in the lives of those around her, and it often seems as though Kinky has always been there.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Some forty-odd years before and many miles to the south, the girl who would someday be Kinky Kincaid was Maureen O’Hanlon, a farmer’s daughter growing up in the emerald hills and glens of County Cork. A precocious girl on the cusp of womanhood, Maureen has a head full of dreams, a heart open to romance, and something more: a gift for seeing beyond the ordinary into the mystic realm of fairies, spirits, and even the dreaded Banshee, whose terrifying wail she first hears on a snowy night in 1922....
As she grows into a young woman, Maureen finds herself torn between love and her fondest aspirations, for the future is a mystery even for one blessed with the sight. Encountering both joy and sorrow, Maureen at last finds herself on the road to Ballybucklebo---and the strong and compassionate woman she was always destined to become.
An Irish Country Girl is another captivating tale by Patrick Taylor, a true Irish storyteller.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Some forty-odd years before and many miles to the south, the girl who would someday be Kinky Kincaid was Maureen O’Hanlon, a farmer’s daughter growing up in the emerald hills and glens of County Cork. A precocious girl on the cusp of womanhood, Maureen has a head full of dreams, a heart open to romance, and something more: a gift for seeing beyond the ordinary into the mystic realm of fairies, spirits, and even the dreaded Banshee, whose terrifying wail she first hears on a snowy night in 1922....
As she grows into a young woman, Maureen finds herself torn between love and her fondest aspirations, for the future is a mystery even for one blessed with the sight. Encountering both joy and sorrow, Maureen at last finds herself on the road to Ballybucklebo---and the strong and compassionate woman she was always destined to become.
An Irish Country Girl is another captivating tale by Patrick Taylor, a true Irish storyteller.
319 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2009
About the author
Patrick Taylor
103 books1,223 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one years. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/patric...
Patrick Taylor, M.D., is the author of the Irish Country books, including An Irish Country Doctor, An Irish Country Village, An Irish Country Christmas, An Irish Country Girl, and An Irish Country Courtship. Taylor was born and raised in Bangor, County Down, in Northern Ireland. After qualifying as a specialist in 1969, he worked in Canada for thirty-one years. He now lives on Saltspring Island, British Columbia.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/patric...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 590 reviews
August 18, 2020
Honestly not much to say. This is still my favorite in the series next to the first book in this series. Even though events take place around Christmas, this is a great book to read around Halloween or during the cold winter months.
Previous review.
I read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season: Task the Third: The Holiday Party:
-Read a book where a celebration is a big part of the action. Examples would include holiday parties, country house hunting/weekend parties, weddings, etc.
I have to say that this hands down is my favorite Patrick Taylor book. Probably because it stars one of my favorite characters, Mrs. Kinky Kincaid.
This book takes place directly after "An Irish Country Christmas" with Kinky waiting at home for her doctor and Barry Laverty to return home from celebrating the Marquis Christmas Day party. Kinky is getting their dinner ready (and I am still flabbergasted at how much these people eat) while also providing treats to the local village children. Kinky takes them upstairs to get warm in the upstairs sitting room (parlor) and begins a ghost tale that took place back in 1922 (on Christmas Day) and then we have her remembering the events decades later with the children.
Taylor does a great job with Kinky's voice in this book. I got a great sense of her as a young girl (going by Maureen) who all she wanted in life was to be a school teacher.
Her older sister (Fidelma) starts courting a local young man (Conner) the whole family knew who was about to have something terrible happen to him due to his thumbing his nose about cutting down a Blackthorn tree which angers something called the Doov Shee in Ireland.
Who knew you could combine a somewhat scary ghost story with Christmas? It should not work, but ultimately does.
Besides the ghost story aspect, we also have some romance between Maureen and who readers know that one day a young man who will become her husband.
The contrast between Ballybucklebo and where Mrs. Kincaid grew up was nicely done. And I as a long term reader was very surprised about how smart she was and how much she really wanted to be a teacher. I thought it was great also to see a feminist bent to Maureen at her age and her not understanding why she could not have her teaching as well as a marriage.
The book flows seamlessly back and forth between Mrs. Kincaid story and then her later on reminiscing about the events that took place. We know that Barry had some interaction with Mrs. Kincaid and her ability to "see." I remember thinking that it was just something she said, but you find out in this book, Mrs. Kincaid, her mother, and other female family members have this gift as well. Maureen is able to see into the future sometimes and unfortunately cannot do anything to change what is coming.
I have to say the ending totally took me by surprise and I wanted to keep reading even after I finished the last page. This is one book that would do well with illustrations included one day I think. I could picture certain scenes in my head. But I think it would give certain parts of the story a darker bent if we could see actual pictures of things that are going on at the same time we are reading them.
Previous review.
I read this for 12 Tasks of the Festive Season: Task the Third: The Holiday Party:
-Read a book where a celebration is a big part of the action. Examples would include holiday parties, country house hunting/weekend parties, weddings, etc.
I have to say that this hands down is my favorite Patrick Taylor book. Probably because it stars one of my favorite characters, Mrs. Kinky Kincaid.
This book takes place directly after "An Irish Country Christmas" with Kinky waiting at home for her doctor and Barry Laverty to return home from celebrating the Marquis Christmas Day party. Kinky is getting their dinner ready (and I am still flabbergasted at how much these people eat) while also providing treats to the local village children. Kinky takes them upstairs to get warm in the upstairs sitting room (parlor) and begins a ghost tale that took place back in 1922 (on Christmas Day) and then we have her remembering the events decades later with the children.
Taylor does a great job with Kinky's voice in this book. I got a great sense of her as a young girl (going by Maureen) who all she wanted in life was to be a school teacher.
Her older sister (Fidelma) starts courting a local young man (Conner) the whole family knew who was about to have something terrible happen to him due to his thumbing his nose about cutting down a Blackthorn tree which angers something called the Doov Shee in Ireland.
Who knew you could combine a somewhat scary ghost story with Christmas? It should not work, but ultimately does.
Besides the ghost story aspect, we also have some romance between Maureen and who readers know that one day a young man who will become her husband.
The contrast between Ballybucklebo and where Mrs. Kincaid grew up was nicely done. And I as a long term reader was very surprised about how smart she was and how much she really wanted to be a teacher. I thought it was great also to see a feminist bent to Maureen at her age and her not understanding why she could not have her teaching as well as a marriage.
The book flows seamlessly back and forth between Mrs. Kincaid story and then her later on reminiscing about the events that took place. We know that Barry had some interaction with Mrs. Kincaid and her ability to "see." I remember thinking that it was just something she said, but you find out in this book, Mrs. Kincaid, her mother, and other female family members have this gift as well. Maureen is able to see into the future sometimes and unfortunately cannot do anything to change what is coming.
I have to say the ending totally took me by surprise and I wanted to keep reading even after I finished the last page. This is one book that would do well with illustrations included one day I think. I could picture certain scenes in my head. But I think it would give certain parts of the story a darker bent if we could see actual pictures of things that are going on at the same time we are reading them.
February 9, 2011
Patrick Taylor’s “Irish Country Girl” begins with Kinky (Mrs. Maureen Kincaid) inviting some little Christmas carolers indoors for hot black-current juice and a colorful scary folklore told in the way only a Celtic storyteller could. The excitement of the children mixed with Kinky’s Irish lilt is so enticing that I soon fell under Taylor’s Irish spell, settling back to hear (read) the tale of Connor MacTaggart and the Sidthe (pronounced “shee”) – the faeries in the Country Cork. The story is beautifully and magically written. It not not only entertains but teaches one so very much about the Irish culture, Gaelic words and some mythology .The story is actually a love story, or more than one. I was delighted with this book and look forward to reading more of Mr. Taylor’s books. The Skye in June
February 24, 2010
Reason for Reading: The Irish Country Doctor series has been on my tbr list for a while and when I had an offer to read this fourth book, which can also be read as a stand-alone, I jumped at the chance to get my feet wet with the series.
Summary: This fourth book in the series takes a different direction than the other books by centering on Maureen Kincaid, housekeeper/cook for two country doctors in the 1960s. The book actually takes place during a few hours near the end of Book Three while Maureen is at home preparing Christmas dinner and the doctors have gone out. During this time Mrs. Kincaid reflects back on her earlier life in the 1920s, specifically following the years she was fourteen to eighteen years-old. The book tells the story of Maureen's biggest characteristic, being that she has "the sight" and how she first became that way, when she first saw the fey and had her first visions of the future. Her story also answers questions such as why she came to be called "Kinky", how she became a Mrs., and how she finally ended up as the doctors' housekeeper.
Comments: First, I'll say the book was not what I had expected. Not having read any of the other books in the series I did not know Mrs. Kincaid had "the sight" making the story a lot more whimsical than just the cozy village story I had expected. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish and since this book is so different from the others, as a newcomer to the series the only character I had to get to know was Maureen herself. A wonderful story, with exceptional characters, that tells a tale full of romance and heartbreak, life and death, religion and folklore at a time when people spoke of God in the same breath as they warned away the spirits.
Maureen is a lovely, spirited girl with such a bittersweet story. I took to her right from the first page. Actually the rest of her family was just as real and enjoyable that they all felt like people I knew by the end of the book. I wonder if any of them ever came to visit or vice versa in the previous books or if they may pop up again in future books now that they have been introduced. I am now even more eager to get started reading the first book, meet the doctors and read the type of story I was more expecting in the first place but now I will have a familiar face to greet me when I open its pages. Charming tale for those who enjoy cozies, but also appreciate a good dose of Irish folklore.
Summary: This fourth book in the series takes a different direction than the other books by centering on Maureen Kincaid, housekeeper/cook for two country doctors in the 1960s. The book actually takes place during a few hours near the end of Book Three while Maureen is at home preparing Christmas dinner and the doctors have gone out. During this time Mrs. Kincaid reflects back on her earlier life in the 1920s, specifically following the years she was fourteen to eighteen years-old. The book tells the story of Maureen's biggest characteristic, being that she has "the sight" and how she first became that way, when she first saw the fey and had her first visions of the future. Her story also answers questions such as why she came to be called "Kinky", how she became a Mrs., and how she finally ended up as the doctors' housekeeper.
Comments: First, I'll say the book was not what I had expected. Not having read any of the other books in the series I did not know Mrs. Kincaid had "the sight" making the story a lot more whimsical than just the cozy village story I had expected. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish and since this book is so different from the others, as a newcomer to the series the only character I had to get to know was Maureen herself. A wonderful story, with exceptional characters, that tells a tale full of romance and heartbreak, life and death, religion and folklore at a time when people spoke of God in the same breath as they warned away the spirits.
Maureen is a lovely, spirited girl with such a bittersweet story. I took to her right from the first page. Actually the rest of her family was just as real and enjoyable that they all felt like people I knew by the end of the book. I wonder if any of them ever came to visit or vice versa in the previous books or if they may pop up again in future books now that they have been introduced. I am now even more eager to get started reading the first book, meet the doctors and read the type of story I was more expecting in the first place but now I will have a familiar face to greet me when I open its pages. Charming tale for those who enjoy cozies, but also appreciate a good dose of Irish folklore.
September 4, 2017
Two stars might appear that I didn't like this, but since GR scale for a two-star rating is "it was okay" fits my evaluation of this fourth book, I'll leave it there. I love the character of Kinky in the series, but I found my interest fading with this book about her. Now I'm ready and eager to get back to the main story with An Irish Country Courtship.
August 13, 2016
(2.5 stars)
I was initially excited when I heard about this book because while I enjoy the Irish Country series, I find the main narrator to be really annoying, so I was looking forward to taking a break from him to spend some time getting to know Kinky better.
Unfortunately, that didn't work out quite as well as I'd hoped.
For one thing, this story takes too long. There's only really enough for half the length of the book, so I spent a lot of time kind of bored. I mean, I'm not expecting dramatic action sequences from this kind of story, but the lulls were just too ... dull. It was especially tiresome because of the seanachie set-up from the beginning, and how Kinky is supposed to be a great storyteller like her father, but that's not the way the story reads at all. For the first half of the book, Kinky is narrating her story to a bunch of children and I had a really hard time believing they would sit still for it and be enthralled when I had a hard time myself. Also, Taylor doesn't do a good job of going back and forth in time—the return to the present always felt like an interruption and seemed completely unnecessary. It would have helped (at least a little) if the story had been told entirely in the past with perhaps a prologue and epilogue in the present.
Kinky also turned out to be rather a let-down for me. I had hopes for her at the beginning of the book, but by the end, I didn't really like her much anymore. (In a different way than I don't like Barry, though. Barry is just annoying and whiny all the time; with Kinky, it's more that I was disappointed in her by the end.)
I will, of course, still continue on with the series. Now I'm looking forward to going back to Ballybucklebo. I guess I have a strange love/hate relationship with this series because even if I hate Barry, I love almost all the supporting characters and I want to know what happens with them. (I just hope Fingal isn't as much of a disappointment when he gets his own backstory.) We shall see!
Besides the story aspects, this was quite a sloppy copy of the book. It was almost like a galley/proof edition, there were so many typos and the two maps that were meant to be included instead had codeword placeholders. (It's not marked as a galley or ARC edition or anything and I bought it at a bookstore.) Someone certainly slipped up somewhere...
I was initially excited when I heard about this book because while I enjoy the Irish Country series, I find the main narrator to be really annoying, so I was looking forward to taking a break from him to spend some time getting to know Kinky better.
Unfortunately, that didn't work out quite as well as I'd hoped.
For one thing, this story takes too long. There's only really enough for half the length of the book, so I spent a lot of time kind of bored. I mean, I'm not expecting dramatic action sequences from this kind of story, but the lulls were just too ... dull. It was especially tiresome because of the seanachie set-up from the beginning, and how Kinky is supposed to be a great storyteller like her father, but that's not the way the story reads at all. For the first half of the book, Kinky is narrating her story to a bunch of children and I had a really hard time believing they would sit still for it and be enthralled when I had a hard time myself. Also, Taylor doesn't do a good job of going back and forth in time—the return to the present always felt like an interruption and seemed completely unnecessary. It would have helped (at least a little) if the story had been told entirely in the past with perhaps a prologue and epilogue in the present.
Kinky also turned out to be rather a let-down for me. I had hopes for her at the beginning of the book, but by the end, I didn't really like her much anymore. (In a different way than I don't like Barry, though. Barry is just annoying and whiny all the time; with Kinky, it's more that I was disappointed in her by the end.)
I will, of course, still continue on with the series. Now I'm looking forward to going back to Ballybucklebo. I guess I have a strange love/hate relationship with this series because even if I hate Barry, I love almost all the supporting characters and I want to know what happens with them. (I just hope Fingal isn't as much of a disappointment when he gets his own backstory.) We shall see!
Besides the story aspects, this was quite a sloppy copy of the book. It was almost like a galley/proof edition, there were so many typos and the two maps that were meant to be included instead had codeword placeholders. (It's not marked as a galley or ARC edition or anything and I bought it at a bookstore.) Someone certainly slipped up somewhere...
October 20, 2017
After 3/4 of the book, I just skipped to the end, very boring book. I haven't read any of the series, thought this book should stand alone. Thought I would get a feel for Ireland in the 1920s.
The first 1/3 of the book is Kinky telling a story to a group of children. It really interrupts the flow of the story, set in the past, when suddenly this happens. "That's what my dad says" said Colin. I would have to stop. Who is Colin? Is he in the past in the story? Oh, wait, he's a kid in the present listening to the story. It kept going on and on and on, I grew worried that the entire book would be Kinky story-telling, in which case, I would not be able to read it.
Finally, her story ends, and she starts remembering the past. I was hopeful at first, but it did not get better. Kinky has "the sight". So she goes to a fortune-teller, and only pays for 2 years worth of reading the future. So the fortune teller flips over the tarot cards, and actually gasps and falls back at the last one! Oh my!
Then we go have a little conflict, should she teach or not teach, her 1 dream for years has been of being a teacher and traveling. Then it goes on and on, and finally we get to a scene on a boat where I had to stop when her boyfriend starts explaining how to sail the boat.
And then we get the second major time she got THE SIGHT on St. Stephen's day, we already had a too long description of the snow that came 4 years ago, where her mom, who also has the sight, TOLD people NOT TO GO OUT IN THE BLIZZARD. And the SAME THING HAPPENS, DON'T GO OUT IN THIS WEATHER IT IS GOING TO BE A BLIZZARD, I HAVE THE SIGHT REMEMBER. Well, they go, and we are subjected to nearly the same thing. But then wait!
Sad this book was not better.
The first 1/3 of the book is Kinky telling a story to a group of children. It really interrupts the flow of the story, set in the past, when suddenly this happens. "That's what my dad says" said Colin. I would have to stop. Who is Colin? Is he in the past in the story? Oh, wait, he's a kid in the present listening to the story. It kept going on and on and on, I grew worried that the entire book would be Kinky story-telling, in which case, I would not be able to read it.
Finally, her story ends, and she starts remembering the past. I was hopeful at first, but it did not get better. Kinky has "the sight". So she goes to a fortune-teller, and only pays for 2 years worth of reading the future. So the fortune teller flips over the tarot cards, and actually gasps and falls back at the last one! Oh my!
Then we go have a little conflict, should she teach or not teach, her 1 dream for years has been of being a teacher and traveling. Then it goes on and on, and finally we get to a scene on a boat where I had to stop when her boyfriend starts explaining how to sail the boat.
And then we get the second major time she got THE SIGHT on St. Stephen's day, we already had a too long description of the snow that came 4 years ago, where her mom, who also has the sight, TOLD people NOT TO GO OUT IN THE BLIZZARD. And the SAME THING HAPPENS, DON'T GO OUT IN THIS WEATHER IT IS GOING TO BE A BLIZZARD, I HAVE THE SIGHT REMEMBER. Well, they go, and we are subjected to nearly the same thing. But then wait!
Sad this book was not better.
March 21, 2017
I didn't expect the departure from the main story line. I like Kinky, but didn't expect an entire book to be written from her perspective. I felt I had a pretty decent understanding of Kinky and her past without an entire book about her. Hoping the next in the series returns to the perspective and style of the first 3.
December 1, 2020
A bit of a slow start as we're introduced to all of the kids listening to Kinky's story but really picks up partway through and then held my attention all the way to the end. It was great to learn about Kinky's past and of her relationship with Paudeen. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
May 13, 2017
Not nearly as good as the rest of the series (and side note- the narrator for these is not nearly as great as the man who did the first three books on tape).
December 28, 2020
This was another enjoyable installment in the Irish Country series. It largely departs from the main story of the Ballybucklebo characters, but Kinky's backstory is very interesting, with more than a touch of the supernatural. I just wish the ending had been a little more fleshed out. It has a great story of how Maureen wants to be a teacher, and then suddenly she gets a job as housekeeper for the doctors and forgets all about wanting to be a teacher, with little explanation. I know that life has a way of getting in the way of our dreams, but I wish that the ending had expanded upon that conflict a little more.
January 29, 2010
I got this as a Goodreads, First Read, which makes me excited. But, I'm having a hard time reviewing this one... I'll fess up- it's not my usual "type" of fiction to read... what, with fairies, spirits & banshees & all. It only has a teeny tiny bit o' "historical-ness" to it... Also, some of the dialogue seems repetitive which may just be the Irish way of speaking. That being said... as I began the story, I thought, oh no, how am I going to get through this book? The "tale" begins with the feeling as if it's a children's story (not helped by the fact the narrator, Maureen "Kinky" Kincaid, begins to tell the story to children on Christmas.) But when the children LEAVE, part of the tale is finished and the good part begins... Sadly, this is 100 pages in when Kinky reflects on where she left off... and picks up with her story... where the Irish fairy tale becomes even more adult, sad, reflective, & well, good.
September 9, 2019
This book in the Irish Country series focuses on the life of Maureen "Kinky" Kincaid the woman of all work for Doctor O'Reilly. It shows more of how some of the Irish still believe in the Sidhe, and those who feel that the paranormal touch them, so it has a bit of a supernatural bent. Kinky was originally from a farming family in what is now The Republic of Ireland, she was a girl who wanted more that what most girls could have in the '20's. She wanted a family and a profession, in a time where married women didn't work often. Kinky learns that sometimes dreams and wants change both for the good and the bad. It shows how what she went through in her girlhood made her the strong willed woman she became. If you want to read about a strong female character Kinky Kincaid would definitely be a great role model.
December 15, 2010
An Irish Country Girl (Patrick Taylor)
Novel. I really enjoyed this read. First I admit I love to read stories set in other countries, also add a bit of "magic" and add a few recipes at the end and I am hooked. This story is set in Ireland and tell of the "gift" or "curse" that Marueen O'Hannlon "Kinky" Kincaid has. She tells the story of how she discovered her "fey" ability. She seems to be able to foresee things of the future. When she encounters a gypsy woman the path of Maureen seems to be set in stone.
I would love to read the other books in this series. Although it appears I have read the most recent first, I intend to start at the beginning with the rest. I highly recommend to those who like to read about Ireland and the "fey" people.
Novel. I really enjoyed this read. First I admit I love to read stories set in other countries, also add a bit of "magic" and add a few recipes at the end and I am hooked. This story is set in Ireland and tell of the "gift" or "curse" that Marueen O'Hannlon "Kinky" Kincaid has. She tells the story of how she discovered her "fey" ability. She seems to be able to foresee things of the future. When she encounters a gypsy woman the path of Maureen seems to be set in stone.
I would love to read the other books in this series. Although it appears I have read the most recent first, I intend to start at the beginning with the rest. I highly recommend to those who like to read about Ireland and the "fey" people.
July 24, 2016
It's over a year since I read this book and wrote this review, but I just realised I never posted the review!
I was initially disappointed when I realised that this book, the fourth in the Irish Country series, was not a continuation of the ups and downs of life in Ballybucklebo for Barry Laverty, but a recounting of the young Mrs Kincaid “Kinky”, housekeeper extraordinaire for Drs O’Reilly and Laverty - specifically it is a story of how she saw the St Stephen’s Day ghost (twice) and how she came to develop the Sight.
It was interesting once I got into it, and rather sad at times.
I was initially disappointed when I realised that this book, the fourth in the Irish Country series, was not a continuation of the ups and downs of life in Ballybucklebo for Barry Laverty, but a recounting of the young Mrs Kincaid “Kinky”, housekeeper extraordinaire for Drs O’Reilly and Laverty - specifically it is a story of how she saw the St Stephen’s Day ghost (twice) and how she came to develop the Sight.
It was interesting once I got into it, and rather sad at times.
March 30, 2010
This is a story about a girl a farmers daughter growing up in the emerald hills and glens of county cork. she has a head full of dreams , a heart open to romance and something more a gift for seeing beyond the ordinary. into the mistic world of fairies, spirts, and even the dreaded Banshee, as she grows into a young women she finds herself torn between love and her fondest aspirations. an interesting and very enjoyable coming of age story.
July 10, 2021
I think reading this book is kind of like going to an “Eagles” concert, where the band chooses not to play “Hotel California.” I’m sure they get tired of playing the same song over and over, and play other good stuff, and want to try new things. But if you go to an Eagles Concert, you want to hear Hotel California. Likewise when I read Patrick Taylor, I want Doctor stories. But they just weren’t here. I nearly quit several times because the story just wasn’t my cup of tea. But I persisted, and ended up appreciating the story for what it is. But it certainly wasn’t what I expected, and I don’t think it really belonged in this series.
I imagine I’ll still continue with the series. But the author had better start playing Hotel California again, because I want more Doctor stories.
I imagine I’ll still continue with the series. But the author had better start playing Hotel California again, because I want more Doctor stories.
November 20, 2021
The fourth book in the Irish Country Doctor series nestles perfectly with the third book, so I was quite happy that I read them back to back. This story is about the Doctor’s housekeeper Kinky and her back story. It starts with her sharing her story to the kids that come for treats on Christmas and finishes with her remembering her history while making Christmas dinner, making it fit perfectly with An Irish Country Christmas. I really enjoyed this book, so much so I read it in one day!
For the full review, check out my blog (link in bio).
For the full review, check out my blog (link in bio).
November 1, 2020
I find it interesting that this was the next book on my reading shelve and I read it on Halloween. The supernatural and Irish superstition are a large part of the plot. It is great to get the back story of one of the characters in this series. Some of the Irish traditions I knew while others I did not.
October 5, 2019
Well written yarn about the country doctor's housekeeper before she became his housekeeper. Lots of Irish "ins & outs" of their colorful expressions with a large glossary at the end to better help us understand what they are saying.
May 14, 2020
If you like folklore the first half of this book will interest you. This book tells the story of a young Mrs. Kincaid, Maureen (Kinky) who eventually becomes the Doc's housekeeper. She has a special gift of being able to sense things that others cannot. She has many dreams growing up of what she wants to do with her life; she wants to be a teacher. When she meets and falls in love with Paudeen, she finds she may have to choose between marriage and a teaching career. During these times, it is unthinkable for a woman to have both.
A bonus at the end of each book in the series is an afterword from Kinky including some of the recipes she has made in each book! A fun feature!
A bonus at the end of each book in the series is an afterword from Kinky including some of the recipes she has made in each book! A fun feature!
December 30, 2019
Now I want to get a book on Irish lore fore sure!
May 31, 2017
Another good book in the series! I enjoyed taking a step away from the two doctors and learning all about Kinky and her life.
November 16, 2018
A 3.5.
I enjoyed getting to know Kinky's family, however, the narration style was disruptive and the story jerked along in fits and starts. I enjoyed the scenes with Maureen (Kinky) and her sister Fidelma. I'd really like to see Fidelma pop up in a future story or two.
How sad that Kinky had such a short time with her husband. Add to that the fact she lives on the opposite end of the country from her family, whom she loves very much, and it just adds to the melancholia of this particular book. I really like Kinky's character and I was disheartened to see how she ended up so far from those she loves best.
I also enjoyed the bits of Irish legends and folklore scattered throughout.
I guess this book doesn't rate as high for me as the previous entries because of the disruptive narration style and because I wished Kinky had enjoyed a happier adult life surrounded by her family.
I enjoyed getting to know Kinky's family, however, the narration style was disruptive and the story jerked along in fits and starts. I enjoyed the scenes with Maureen (Kinky) and her sister Fidelma. I'd really like to see Fidelma pop up in a future story or two.
How sad that Kinky had such a short time with her husband. Add to that the fact she lives on the opposite end of the country from her family, whom she loves very much, and it just adds to the melancholia of this particular book. I really like Kinky's character and I was disheartened to see how she ended up so far from those she loves best.
I also enjoyed the bits of Irish legends and folklore scattered throughout.
I guess this book doesn't rate as high for me as the previous entries because of the disruptive narration style and because I wished Kinky had enjoyed a happier adult life surrounded by her family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2020
Are usually like these books but this is the one that I could not get through at all. There was no real medical stuff or no new adventures for the two doctors and that’s mainly what I read these books for so so far this is my least favorite book of the series.
September 4, 2018
I have enjoyed all the books I've read so far by Patrick Taylor but this one I REALLY enjoyed. I had a hard time putting it down. Though I don't personally believe in ghosts and faeries and such as is in the book, I found it fascinating and interesting. I loved having the Glossary in the back with all the Irish words and meanings. I was surprised that most of them I could figure out the meaning before looking it up!
January 28, 2010
This is the story of Kinky Kincaid, a housekeeper for two doctors in the northern Irish town of Ballybucklebo. Kinky was born Maureen O’Hanlon to a farmer and grew up in the county of Cork far to the south.
It is Christmas afternoon when Kinky gathers a group of children into the lounge for a story about her adolescence. It all started the year she was fourteen on a wintry day. Connor MacTaggart, their neighbour had helped with a sheep instead of hauling in more peat to keep himself warm. Connor was 'seeing' Maureen's sister Fidelma. Instead of accepting some peat from the O'Hanlons and being 'beholden' to them Connor decides to cut down a blackthorn tree. Mrs. O'Hanlon warns him to appease the Banshee and not cut the tree down or he will be cursed.
Of course Connor doesn't believe in fairies, dark or otherwise and cuts the tree down and immediately is beleaguered by a vixen, a spider and the cry of the Banshee. All this leads to Connor's death on the Feast of Steven or Boxing Day. Fidelma is devastated but Maureen starts hearing Connor's pipes and even starts seeing his ghost. Her mother who also has the sight helps her though this terrifying experience and Maureen eventually accepts her gift.
The second half of the story Kinky relates as she is cooking the Christmas dinner. She reminisces about a time 2 years past the incident with Connor. She thinks about her aspirations and her passions and how torn she was between the two. Maureen wanted to get her Leaver's Certificate and become a teacher but she fell in love with a man who did not his wife to work. In the midst of all this angst were the insights into the future she would occasionally get. What did it all mean? Would she follow her heart or her head?
An Irish Country Girl is part of the Irish Country series but can be read stand-alone. I very much enjoyed Patrick Taylor's story-telling. Pull up a blanket and a cup of tea and prepare to be mesmerized and charmed.
It is Christmas afternoon when Kinky gathers a group of children into the lounge for a story about her adolescence. It all started the year she was fourteen on a wintry day. Connor MacTaggart, their neighbour had helped with a sheep instead of hauling in more peat to keep himself warm. Connor was 'seeing' Maureen's sister Fidelma. Instead of accepting some peat from the O'Hanlons and being 'beholden' to them Connor decides to cut down a blackthorn tree. Mrs. O'Hanlon warns him to appease the Banshee and not cut the tree down or he will be cursed.
Of course Connor doesn't believe in fairies, dark or otherwise and cuts the tree down and immediately is beleaguered by a vixen, a spider and the cry of the Banshee. All this leads to Connor's death on the Feast of Steven or Boxing Day. Fidelma is devastated but Maureen starts hearing Connor's pipes and even starts seeing his ghost. Her mother who also has the sight helps her though this terrifying experience and Maureen eventually accepts her gift.
The second half of the story Kinky relates as she is cooking the Christmas dinner. She reminisces about a time 2 years past the incident with Connor. She thinks about her aspirations and her passions and how torn she was between the two. Maureen wanted to get her Leaver's Certificate and become a teacher but she fell in love with a man who did not his wife to work. In the midst of all this angst were the insights into the future she would occasionally get. What did it all mean? Would she follow her heart or her head?
An Irish Country Girl is part of the Irish Country series but can be read stand-alone. I very much enjoyed Patrick Taylor's story-telling. Pull up a blanket and a cup of tea and prepare to be mesmerized and charmed.
January 21, 2021
Boy do I love a good rural ghost story, especially when paired with a heart-warming tale of love and loss with that beautiful Irish language that soothes my souls and tickles my linguist bone. Lovely tale!
July 30, 2010
2. Words to describe the book: Irish to the core with a healthy dose of storytelling
3. Location or characters you met:
* Maureen 'Kinky" Kincaid: A housekeeper for the doctor in the village of Ballybucklebo. She is getting the house ready for Christmas dinner and in the course of the day she tells the young children stories about fairies, spirits, and the banshee. Once the children leaves, she takes a break and spends time with the memories of her family, her dreams and ambitions, and how she handled being born 'fey' or also known as the sight.
* Ireland : you can't read this book and not feel that Ireland isn't a main character. I could feel the breeze, see the multitudes of flowers, experience the stinging cold of the blizzards, smell the sheep, taste the food. I truly felt that I was there!
* Maureen's family and friends: Each family member has something to add to the story and I loved how the author weaved them into the tapestry of the pages seamlessly. They all were needed and not once did they detract from the story.
4. Things you liked/disliked:
* Loved the setting
* The storytelling...I felt like I was at a cozy pub listening to an Irish folkteller. It reminded me of the days when I was younger and my grandpa would get all of us grandkids into one room and he would regale us with stories of his youth. I could sit there for hours and listen to his grand tales!
* The characters- they felt like family by the time I finished this story.
* The Irish Mythology was very intriguing and I love learning about different cultures and their folklore.
5. Rating: 4.5/5
3. Location or characters you met:
* Maureen 'Kinky" Kincaid: A housekeeper for the doctor in the village of Ballybucklebo. She is getting the house ready for Christmas dinner and in the course of the day she tells the young children stories about fairies, spirits, and the banshee. Once the children leaves, she takes a break and spends time with the memories of her family, her dreams and ambitions, and how she handled being born 'fey' or also known as the sight.
* Ireland : you can't read this book and not feel that Ireland isn't a main character. I could feel the breeze, see the multitudes of flowers, experience the stinging cold of the blizzards, smell the sheep, taste the food. I truly felt that I was there!
* Maureen's family and friends: Each family member has something to add to the story and I loved how the author weaved them into the tapestry of the pages seamlessly. They all were needed and not once did they detract from the story.
4. Things you liked/disliked:
* Loved the setting
* The storytelling...I felt like I was at a cozy pub listening to an Irish folkteller. It reminded me of the days when I was younger and my grandpa would get all of us grandkids into one room and he would regale us with stories of his youth. I could sit there for hours and listen to his grand tales!
* The characters- they felt like family by the time I finished this story.
* The Irish Mythology was very intriguing and I love learning about different cultures and their folklore.
5. Rating: 4.5/5
March 6, 2013
Back from another pleasant trip to Ballybucklebo, Ireland and each visit has been a joy. This time it was the back story of Kinky Kincaid, housekeeper to Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly and his young assistant, Dr. Barry Laverty. The story tells of Kinky's family, her schooling, her dreams, her part of Ireland and how she came to be in Ballybucklebo far from her home. I admit that when the story opened I was concerned that I would not like it as well as the others. Kinky Is telling a tale of the boy her sister loved and how he disregarded Irish folklore and defied the banshee, only to face dire consequences. I reacted to the gruesome details in the story that she was telling to youngsters and then realized that it wasn't worse than Grimm's Fairytales but the main difference was that she was telling a story about a real person that she knew vs. a made-up character. This section, however, took up the first 100 pages which was almost one third of the book! It could have been a lot shorter and more enjoyable. The rest of the book made up for that, however, and was the type of tale and character development that I am used to from Taylor. This is the fourth book in the series that I have read and I look forward to the remaining three that I have yet to read.
August 19, 2010
This is the most recent in the series by Taylor about Dr. Laverty, who arrives in the tiny northern Ireland town of Ballybucklebo during the early 1960s. Unlike the first 3 novels, however, which trace Dr. Laverty's adventures, this novel focuses on the housekeeper, Maureen Kincaid, affectionately called Kinky. Kinky is "fey" -- she sometimes sees into the future because she has a unique Irish gift. As Kinky is preparing Christmas dinner for the doctors and their guests, she tells a St. Stephen's Day ghost story to the local children who have come caroling. But the tale is true, and it is about Maureen's childhood and young adulthood as she grew up on a farm in southern Ireland, where much is different from the north, between the world wars.
The novel is charming, the characters interesting, and the Irish folklore interwoven into their lives is sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes comforting.
I didn't want it to end. Now I can't wait for the next one in the series!
The novel is charming, the characters interesting, and the Irish folklore interwoven into their lives is sometimes frightening, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and sometimes comforting.
I didn't want it to end. Now I can't wait for the next one in the series!
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