Publisher: 27th October 2020 by Hachette Australia
Pages: 384 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: fiction, contemporary
My Rating: 5 cups
Synopsis:
At nearly ninety, retired nature writer Hattie Bloom prefers the company of birds to people, but when a fall lands her in a nursing home she struggles to cope with the loss of independence and privacy. From the confines of her 'room with a view' of the carpark, she dreams of escape.
Fellow 'inmate', the gregarious, would-be comedian Walter Clements also plans on returning home as soon as he is fit and able to take charge of his mobility scooter.
When Hattie and Walter officially meet at The Night Owls, a clandestine club run by Sister Bronwyn and her dog, Queenie, they seem at odds. But when Sister Bronwyn is dismissed over her unconventional approach to aged care, they must join forces -- and very slowly an unlikely, unexpected friendship begins to grow.
Full of wisdom and warmth, The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home is a gorgeously poignant, hilarious story showing that it is never too late to laugh -- or to love.
My Thoughts
‘My grandson told me there’s something called an app on it that ages your face
and makes you look old.’ ‘There’s one of those in the bathroom,’ chuckled Murray. ‘It’s called a mirror.’
The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home is the third novel by Australian author, Joanna Nell and is another winning delve into aged care adventures. Having read Joanna’s previous two novels, I continue to be impressed how she shines the spotlight on this age bracket, achieving a balance between whimsical and enlightening.
‘That’s my point. We’re all past our use-by date in here.’ ‘I prefer to think of it as a “best before” date.’ Miss Bloom looked as surprised as anyone to hear her words spoken aloud.’
If you have ever had any dealings with ‘Seniors’ then you will surely find something to relate to in Joanna’s stories. This time around she shines the light on Nursing Homes (pre COVID) presenting a clever take on the escapades of some of the residents. The array of typical characters jump off the page with their witty dialogue and reflective moments. If you have ever been to an aged care home you will undoubtedly recognise not only the resident types but also their carers and the health and safety standards that often rule these lodgings. It is the backstories of some of these characters that prove memorable and force you to recall that they were young once, active and independent.
‘It’s hard to make yourself vulnerable, isn’t it? Feels wrong, I imagine. When you’ve been so independent all your life. Look at me. I was head of department at a high school. I am a justice of the peace, a father of two accomplished women and a grandfather. Now I need a twenty year old to wipe my backside.’
To counterbalance this, Joanna also details the heartfelt sorrows with a realistic portrayal of how some of our elderly spend their final days. It is here that Joanna truly makes her statement in a most empathetic manner with a message that is powerful and I hope heard by many. She ventures into the more serious themes of loss of independence in all its many forms and no longer being responsible for your own life decisions. With routine often being the cornerstone of such accommodations, it is the freedom and individuality that is often sadly lost. I adored Joana’s thoughts on the ‘Night Owls’ club and think that sometimes these ‘rules’ need bending.
‘The doors at the main entrance were locked, as was to be expected after hours, preventing the outside from getting in and the inside from getting out ... In theory, loved ones were free to visit at any time with permission of the nurse in charge. After-hours visits were not encouraged. Nor were after-hours excursions. Tonight, however, Hattie wanted to see the stars, if only for the reassurance that the universe was still infinite. Woodlands was crushing her, squeezing her chest like a pair of giant hands around her lungs. She had to hold on to the idea that life would return to normal, that one day all this would be behind her. She would get home, not just for the owls, but for her own sake.’
I applaud Joanna for continuing to highlight Seniors/retirees/elderly particularly after the disaster to this sector during the pandemic. This genre is anything but boring when you consider what these precious people have lived through. I love old people. Joanna offers all her knowledge and experience to bring not only humour to this category but also a real sense of realism and purpose. I call on people to read Joanna’s books which just keep getting better and better and remember that, even though ageing may be a harsh reality, it does not have to be at the cost of loss of character.
‘Everyone spoke affectionately, nostalgically, about their day, some elusive time they would only recognise when looking back in years to come. For most, it was when they were too young or carefree to realise that this was as good as it got and to enjoy it. But what if her day wasn’t already behind her? What if today was Hattie Bloom’s day?
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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