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The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home
- Narrated by: Julie Nihill
- Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
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Publisher's Summary
The joyous, charming and utterly irresistible new novel from the author of mega-best seller The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village.
At nearly 90, 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.
A 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.
What listeners say about The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home
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- Sharon F
- 20-11-2021
A wonderful read and insight into the minds of an elderly person’s…
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.
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- Mrs. B C Murrill
- 24-11-2021
Well done. Realistic
A good job of showing the other side of age care in a real and compassionate way
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 04-01-2023
Very enjoyable
Very enjoyable. Great story and laugh out loud funny. Looking forward to more from this very talented writer.
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- janne gordon
- 14-03-2021
A wonderful read.
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.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-11-2021
Wonderful
If only there were retirement homes like this! There could be if people cared eough. Wonderful story.
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 21-05-2022
Loved it!
Funny, sad and a reminder that seniors are not to be discarded or easily forgotten
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 12-04-2021
Just Lovely
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.
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- Anonymous User
- 23-01-2022
Just wonderful!
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
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- synchronicity
- 06-02-2022
Entertaining and heartfelt
Obviously written by someone with an intimate knowledge of the machinations of RACF life. Fabulous.
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- Bree
- 14-01-2022
Heart-warming advocacy for the ageless
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.
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