Review of 'The Great Escape from Woodlands Nursing Home' by Joanna Nell.

Joanna Nell’s The Great Escape from Woodland’s Nursing Home, to be released on 27th of October 2020 from Hachette Australia, makes a clear poetic statement. She opens her novel with a quote from the much-loved American poet, Emily Dickinson (1861). 

Hope is the thing with feathers —

That perches in the soul —

It is a clever announcement for ‘Hope’ to be compared to a bird. Although Emily uses an extended metaphor rather than directly saying bird, we know what she means. Poets like Emily Dickinson (and myself) tend to use this graceful winged creature to express an optimistic state of mind. It is part of the big three: Faith, Hope, Love. Hope is both delicate and resilient and must never be taken for granted. When people have hope they have faith for they believe the future will improve. Hope lives in the soul— continues to sing inside us and like our feathered friends—remains unchanged by rain, sun, wind or hail. In other words, hope is held in the arms of faith where it is constant, pure and profound—through the good times and the bad. And love is the powerful engine that leads them all.

Joanna has given Hattie and her readers the same sense of positive reinforcement with quoting this poem as her opener. For although the aged have challenges that are sometimes difficult to overcome, hope surfaces like a buoy and still surprises us when it appears. But, we soon realise, it has always been there hiding in the shadows— ready to launch when the clouds of life become too dark. It is the light that reveals a secure path.

Hattie loves her feathered friends. Owls particularly have a special place in her heart. Joanna uses the bird image throughout this beautiful story and if we compare its meaning to that of Emily Dickinson’s poem, this extended metaphor (instead of a bird Emily says feathers) we know we are in for a wonderful journey that will have bumps along the way, moments of doubt and fear, but we are certain (we have faith in our story-teller!!) this story will end on a high point of hope. 

To give Hattie, Joanna’s creation, a proper introduction, we must look at her character traits. She is an Ornithologist who adores birds— possibly for the hope they represent. Plus, they are there for her whether rain or shine— unaffected by the changes in the world around them (as opposed to humans who can be fair weathered friends— at times). Hattie has fire; great passion. She’s no shrinking violet but a rather feisty and independent soul. She is 89, single and dislikes people (at the beginning of the story). She is not crazy about ladders— for they are unreliable and become rotten with age, like human frames— causing her to fall and land in a nursing home. Which leads us to her greatest challenge— trying to survive in a place like Woodlands Nursing Home— that takes away her cherished privacy, winged pets and small pleasures. And how dare they call her Mrs Bloom! When clearly they must see she is actually a Miss. People assume she is married or has been and this assumption continues to annoy her. Her one mission? Getting back to her cottage. This is where her heart is. Her humble home means everything to her. It is safe and where she is free. Not to mention the Owls in her backyard tree need her help desperately. She consoles herself with the thought that staying at the Nursing Home is only temporary. Just while she heals. But as the story unravels, we discover a lot more is going on in the outside world that imposes on her inner space and future. Yet she clings to hope— that fair and feathered thing. And plans her escape.

Then we have Walter: a 90-year-old comedic widower who, in a younger life, was a driving instructor. But with the advance of his age, this privilege has been taken away. He loves Netflix, ‘70’s detective shows, Johnny Walker and has a flashy three horsepower engine Tesla. And although the keys have been confiscated due to a minor car incident and less than perfect test entrance with his beloved heroic wheels, this setback does not dampen his enthusiasm for life or confidence in his driving skills. He believes he will convince the DON (director of nursing) he can drive safely. Earn the right back to his keys. This hope keeps him moving forward plus imagining he is Steve McQueen of The Great Escape— his favourite movie.

Of course, Hattie’s and Walter’s worlds collide. Their unlikely friendship begins at a Night Owls meeting (there’s those bird signs again!), founded and led by Sister Bronwyn—the favourite nurse. Night time is a challenge in the nursing home when such places are often short staffed. But Bronwyn fills a void to make the inmates’ lives less monotonous until she is removed for her unusual approach to aged care. The replacement staff member is described with great humour: seemingly not as young as she appears, with an overworked painted face—'conspicuous lips’ that look like they have been ‘caught in some suction device.’ What a picture!

But Hattie, Walter and the other feisty dwellers, have a plan to clear their beloved Sister Bronwyn’s name, re-establish her fine reputation, bring her back and resume their ‘Night Owls’ activities. And to each get what they most desire. 

The clincher of the story? One of the undercurrent themes is that seniors have lost their place of respect in society. “Everyone expects so little of us, expects us to be completely incapable. That’s our secret weapon.” A good one! Attack by surprise! Hattie, Walter and Murray cook up a clever plan to reinstate Bronwyn. And to show the world they are able to function at amazing levels in love, decision-making and other mental and physical skills. They still have purpose and although prudence has gone a bit askew, we have to wonder if it is because they are forced into a place of desperation. For this alone can sometimes cause failure.

The story’s point of view, shared by Hattie and Walter, is a seamless dance back and forth as we see through each of their eyes – how they view the world around them—the unfairness, the disappointments, the relentless march of time but also the small victories and surprising discoveries. We cheer, laugh, cry and sigh with them.

There are some fascinating characters in this story both human and animal/bird. But there is one more: the living, breathing institution that houses them. For Woodland Nursing Home is the main character. A place we come to understand. A home for these reluctant heroes to find themselves again.

Joanna’s third novel, like her previous two, is a love letter to the world that voices the importance of seniors in society and that they are not to be shoved aside for younger, newer models. They have earned our respect through the life experiences they have had: the roads they have travelled, the seas they have sailed, the years of challenges they have faced and overcome. And now they stand before us vulnerable yet still glistening in the sun of their golden years. Yes, they have limitations but don’t take away their purpose. Everyone needs something to live for: to be free to indulge in faith, hope and love.

I highly recommend this novel. It is a 5-star victory. Beautifully written: laced with wit, wisdom and wonder.

Thanks to Joanna and Hachette Australia for an ARC of this gorgeous novel. I loved it and I am sure everyone else will, too.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️