Mary J. MacLeod

This is the second book in a series about Mary J MacLeod's experiences as a nurse in the Scottish Hebrides during the 1960s. I read the first book a few years ago but decided to skip a reread and carry on with this book. Each chapter is a mini-story, so the writing structure reminded me a bit of [b:All Creatures Great and Small|32085|All Creatures Great and Small (All Creatures Great and Small, #1)|James Herriot|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1393644607l/32085._SX50_.jpg|69329306] and the [b:Call the Midwife|1197423|Call the Midwife A True Story of the East End in the 1950s|Jennifer Worth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388311251l/1197423._SX50_.jpg|6292672] book series. Some of the author's recollections captured my attention more than others but overall it was a good memoir, with a mix of sad and humorous tales. Things were certainly different back then with nurses and doctors still making house calls in some countries. I did find myself getting terribly irritated by one of the patients in the book for refusing to get a tetanus shot after an injury. The reasoning was completely irrational and potentially dangerous to the patient's health. Otherwise, many of the people residing on the island seemed friendly and hard working, while living in challenging conditions.

I'd recommend this memoir to those interested in the Hebrides, rural living in the 1960s or the profession of nursing.… (meer)

In the early 1970’s the MacLeod family decides to move to a small island in the Hebrides, where author Mary J will be the district nurse.

Nothing fancy, nothing intellectual, but a loving look at a people and their culture in the far norther islands of Scotland. The author’s love of the place and characters shines through but the writing is pedestrian. Some of the incidents are interesting but this book could have benefitted from a professional ghostwriter. Still worth a quick read if you’re at all interested in the Scottish Isles.… (meer)