The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home cover art

The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home

By: Joanna Nell
Narrated by: Julie Nihill
Try Premium Plus free

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.99

Buy Now for $27.99

About this listen

The joyous, charming and utterly irresistible new novel from the author of mega-bestseller The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village

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.




©2020 Joanna Nell (P)2020 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd Contemporary Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction Comedy Witty Feel-Good Funny Nursing Home

Critic Reviews

'Tender and funny' Woman's Weekly

'Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm. A heart-warming story, extremely well written and highly addictive' Sun Herald

'Lively and whimsical ... with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship' Sydney Morning Herald

'This heartwarming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully ... is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages' Daily Telegraph
All stars
Most relevant  
A wonderful insight into the mind of an elderly person’s feelings when faced with losing their independence and the loss of their way of life.
Hopefully this will make any reader appreciate our aged friends and relatives more.
A very well written book with much empathy and more humour.

A wonderful read and insight into the minds of an elderly person’s…

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A good job of showing the other side of age care in a real and compassionate way

Well done. Realistic

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Very enjoyable. Great story and laugh out loud funny. Looking forward to more from this very talented writer.

Very enjoyable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved the story and brilliantly narrated too.
I work in an aged care facility and could relate to many of the characters. The Night Owl concept is also an innovative idea - if only there were the extra staff to to ensure success.
Our elders deserve better and staff do their best and the book highlights these facts in a gentle, poignant manner while telling the story of a relationship between 2 nursing home residents.

A wonderful read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
If only there were retirement homes like this! There could be if people cared eough. Wonderful story.

Wonderful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Funny, sad and a reminder that seniors are not to be discarded or easily forgotten

Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Lovely gentle story about connection and respect during the changes that happen with ageing. The author presents a picture of hope for all of us.

Just Lovely

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I soo loved this book; it's told with joy, pathos and is neither mawkish nor sacchariney.
Thankyou Joanna Nell and for such great narration by Julie Nihill

Just wonderful!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Obviously written by someone with an intimate knowledge of the machinations of RACF life. Fabulous.

Entertaining and heartfelt

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book. The narration, the story, the genuine depth to the characters. My grandfather was sadly forced into care in a similar circumstance to Walter. This book was so accurate in its portrayal that it brought up a lot of emotions, it was a cathartic read, as my grandfather passed away from covid while in care in 2020. This book gives such an insight into the experience of feeling young & craving independence, yet also being vulnerable and needing support. The author captured the complexity perfectly and I wish all care workers, managers and policy writers would read this book. All our Elders deserve a Sister Bronwyn.

Heart-warming advocacy for the ageless

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.