Review: Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year

Title: Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year

Author: Joanna Nell

Publisher: 1st November 2023 by Hachette Australia & New Zealand

Pages: 352 pages

Genre: women’s fiction, contemporary

Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

It's never too late for the adventure of a lifetime . . .

Heather Winterbottom has worked side by side with her husband as GPs in their idyllic rural practice for over forty years. But as the time comes to hang up their stethoscopes, the Winterbottoms discover that they have rather different visions of retirement . . .

Heather dreams of exploring the Greek Islands, of escaping the shackles of her routine life and embracing an exciting new adventure. Alan dreams of growing his own vegetables.

When things come to a head at a family lunch, Heather announces that she has decided to take a year off. From her old life, from her marriage - from Alan. Alone in beautiful Greece, Heather embarks on her very own odyssey - complete with peak experiences, pitfalls and temptations. But what if coming home is the biggest adventure yet?

My Thoughts

‘What had happened to Heather Wilson, that young woman who’d been so full of dreams and plans? Heather wondered if she’d even recognise her if she passed her in the street … it was time to find another way to define herself, to find out who else she could be.’

Mrs Winterbottom Takes a Gap Year is the fifth novel by best-selling Australian author, Joanna Nell. Having read all Joanna’s novels, I continue to be impressed and grateful for the light she shines on this age bracket. She achieves a wonderful balance between whimsical and poignant as I turn each page, savouring every word of wisdom and humour all rolled poetically into one.

‘For the next twelve months she was going to put herself first. If that made her selfish, then so be it. She’d waited long enough.’

When Heather and her husband Alan - who have been married for over forty years - both retire from their local medical practice, they discover their dreams of retirement are very different. Alan is happy pottering in his garden, however, Heather dreams of so much more. This only scratches the surface of the many issues placed under the spotlight in this book - everything from the evolution of a long term marriage, to what entering the latter stages of life look like, family dramas, life adventures and how to build a meaningful life post retirement. 

‘They’d become co-administrators of their marriage rather than enthusiastic participants; housemates who shared the same bed.’

This is a great story with shades of Shirley Valentine and full of Joanna’s usual heart and humour. It’s a tale of relationships - family and friends - learning to make the most of one’s life and staying true when listening to your heart. Have courage and make the most of these few precious years we have on this earth. I must also note Joanna’s nod to Homer’s, Odyssey - wonderful. 

‘Part of her wanted to believe the epic poet was a woman, that women could have their own odysseys, and that however long the journey, however many adventures they had on the way, they would always find their way home.’

Once more I applaud Joanna for the spotlight she continues to shine on this age group. If you have not ever read one of Joanna’s books I encourage you to do so - the knowledge and expert understanding she brings keeps the stories surrounding this age bracket relevant and purposeful. Growing old may be a harsh reality, but it does not have to be at the expense of purposeful living. 

‘What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.