The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home
Joanna Nell
Reviewed by Helen
Where do I start, another amazing story from Joanna Nell it is filled with love, hope, fun, determination and the great knowledge and insight that comes from people who have made the great age of Ninety. I loved meeting Hattie, Walter, Sister Bronwyn, Queenie and the other fabulous characters in this story and I do hope that you pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did.
Hattie Bloom is eighty nine years young and a retired nature author and much prefers the company of birds than people, she has been a loner for many years living in the house her father built watching the owls nesting in the beautiful Angophora tree in her yard and many other birds. When an accident with a ladder sees her in hospital and then sent to Woodlands Nursing home to recuperate, Hattie has no intention of staying, she is fiercely independent and is dreaming of escaping.
Walter Clements is ninety and thinks himself a comedian and is determined to go home from the nursing home as soon as he is given his motor scooter license and escape is always on his mind, but getting his license is harder than he thinks.
When Hattie and Walter meet he is trying hard to get to know her but she is not as welcoming as he would like and Hattie thinks that Walter is a loud and dangerous person, but the more time they spend together the more that Hattie realizes that she may actually enjoy talking to people.
Night times are hard for the older people to sleep and on their wanderings of a night Hattie and Walter meet night nurse Sister Bronwyn and her dog Queenie who runs The Night Owls a group that spend evenings together and have some fun with Sister Bronwyn who is a little unconventional in the way she treats patients but it must be kept secret the DON would not approve.
As their friendship grows Hattie and Walter plan an escape to help another “inmate” with heartwarming and moving conclusion. This story is beautifully written and with such awesome characters that became friends and I was cheering them on all the way, there were many laughs in this book especially when they take on some detective work, there were also tears of sadness and joy throughout the story. This is a poignant story that pulled at my heartstrings but also filled me with joy, I do highly recommend this story it is a must read.
Thank you Joanna Nell and Hachette Aus for my copy to read.
Hattie Bloom is eighty nine years young and a retired nature author and much prefers the company of birds than people, she has been a loner for many years living in the house her father built watching the owls nesting in the beautiful Angophora tree in her yard and many other birds. When an accident with a ladder sees her in hospital and then sent to Woodlands Nursing home to recuperate, Hattie has no intention of staying, she is fiercely independent and is dreaming of escaping.
Walter Clements is ninety and thinks himself a comedian and is determined to go home from the nursing home as soon as he is given his motor scooter license and escape is always on his mind, but getting his license is harder than he thinks.
When Hattie and Walter meet he is trying hard to get to know her but she is not as welcoming as he would like and Hattie thinks that Walter is a loud and dangerous person, but the more time they spend together the more that Hattie realizes that she may actually enjoy talking to people.
Night times are hard for the older people to sleep and on their wanderings of a night Hattie and Walter meet night nurse Sister Bronwyn and her dog Queenie who runs The Night Owls a group that spend evenings together and have some fun with Sister Bronwyn who is a little unconventional in the way she treats patients but it must be kept secret the DON would not approve.
As their friendship grows Hattie and Walter plan an escape to help another “inmate” with heartwarming and moving conclusion. This story is beautifully written and with such awesome characters that became friends and I was cheering them on all the way, there were many laughs in this book especially when they take on some detective work, there were also tears of sadness and joy throughout the story. This is a poignant story that pulled at my heartstrings but also filled me with joy, I do highly recommend this story it is a must read.
Thank you Joanna Nell and Hachette Aus for my copy to read.
5 stars
Expected publication: October 27th 2020 by Hachette Australia
