DR MICHAEL Sparrow has achieved that which eludes so many writers. He has published a second book every bit as funny, perceptive and well written as his first.

This new publication ?Repeat Prescription ? Further Tales of a Rural GP? is a collection of stories which will surely broaden his already wide-ranging readership ? one already encompassing most ages, backgrounds and tastes.

They are tales which are often hilarious, occasionally spiced with a soupcon of pathos and regularly so with insight into human nature.

They are, though, never unkind to the wide range of humanity he has encountered during his many years as a doctor ? and not just as a country practitioner.

For he deals with his early years as a junior doctor in the casualty department of a hospital in a large town ? and it bears little resemblance to the formulaic television version of the same. Many of his experiences there, however, are every bit as dramatic and infinitely funnier.

After his time there he joined the Medical Department of the RAF at a serving officer ? cue a further miscellany of bizarre, comical situations and experiences. Invariably this episode in his life is penned in his deft, economic style, generally pinpointing the illogicality of much military thinking and routine ? and its consequences, often quite hilarious, if not absurd.

And there are,naturally, his tales based on his 15-plus years as a general practitioner in West Devon ? richly comical yet gentle stories bringing to the pages a panoply of West Country rural life and characters.

His chapter ?Lifton, the early years? is delightful, telling of his initial experiences when taking up his duties as a doctor in the village and parish of that name.

But then, the entire book is a delight, with its broad spectrum of characters and situations, brought to life thanks to Dr Sparrow?s wry observations and astute perception.

This well written publication will be a valuable addition to the shelves of readers who wish to be informed, entertained and who enjoy a good laugh.

?Repeat Prescription: ? Further Tales of a Rural GP? by Dr Michael Sparrow, is published by Robinson and Sons for £7.99 paperback.

TED SHERRELL