Out to Pasture: But Not over the Hill

Fairacres #1

by Effie Leland Wilder, Laurie Allen Klein (Illustrator)

The first of Effie Leland Wilder’s raucous tales about Hattie McNair and the other residents of FairAcres Retirement Home
Hattie McNair may be retired, but she certainly hasn’t retired from life. In journals and letters to a friend, Hattie tells the stories of her fellow residents at a retirement home and of the immeasurable gifts and burdens of aging.
Through the histories, hopes, and hijinks of Hattie’s friends and foes, we come to know the Fair Acres folks and to share their triumphs and losses. When they join forces to help an illiterate young handyman, Hattie and company change their lives as well as those of young Arthur Priest and his family. By the time we finish Out to Pasture, we know the pride found in a life lived long and well, and the impact that we can have, no matter our age, on the people—and the world—around us.

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Adult, Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Book Club, Christian Fiction

177 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Sandy Holmes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book! It was lighthearted even though some serious, sad and disappointing issues were raised. It is about some older residents of a retirement home. If you are looking for a short, pleasant read, this is it! (Just a side note: it was written by a fellow South Carolinian. And of course, it takes place here in the south, which appeals to me.)

[Deanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was looking through the library shelves for a Jacqueline Winspear book and this one, a few books away, jumped out at me. It looked cute, so I added it to my pile. I really enjoyed this delightful little treasure. I LOVE the fact that this author started writing when she was 85. Somehow I find that so endearing. Her witty insights and funny poetry made me laugh. Effie helped me see and feel what it is like to be old. This book made me feel so much more appreciative and compassionate toward "the elderly," but it also caused me a twang of sorrow and dread because I am rapidly headed in that direction. I think I need to tuck this book in my bedside table drawer and read it every few years so I can remember her example of how to live cheerfully, full of humor and grace as I walk the same path.

This book is quite a contrast to the high speed, dystopian, dysfunctional, romantic, gritty and otherwise sensationalist books that are currently popular. It was so pleasant to just take a step back and read something calm, simple and poignant. I think I will write Effie Wilder a thank-you note.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this at the local library and decided to give it a try. Hattie McNair lives at FairAcres Retirement Home in Drayton, SC and decides to start "jotting" her thoughts about the place and people. A humorous book at times but it also makes you realize how fragile and human we all are.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded down because of the fairly awful sexism. Also note that it is Christian, but that didn't bother me even though I'm an atheist. It is cute and cheering. LFL find; won't seek the sequels.

[Laurie S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cover drew me in immediately! Adorable! The author was 85 years old when she wrote her first novel.

[Terri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book, and I didn't like this book. Written like a diary by a lady living in a retirement/nursing home, it is funny, poignant, and scarey. Scarey because this is what could be in store for a lot of us, unless we die young. And while you are glad to know that the 'old' folks still laugh, love, and enjoy life, the truth is on every page, --no one lives forever, and sometimes the ending is not good.

Miss Harriet tells the story in journal jottings, some thoughts are disconnected to the current subject, some choppy writing, but the story comes across. The author was 85 when she first started writing, and I believe the book is telling her own story. There are at least 3 more books after this, and I'm going to read the next, but I think these will be read with some recovery time between..

[Martha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Think of every hoary old joke you ever heard, string them together with very little plot and no character development and you have any Effie Wilder book. I guess I am just not old enough to appreciate them.

[Phyllis Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confession: I bought this book (and the follow-up Over The Hill) over twenty years ago from Guidepost books, put it on my bookshelf...and forgot it. Ran across it yesterday and decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did!! And I've got to say I'm glad I didn't read it twenty years ago because I would not have appreciated it nearly as much!!
This is the story of Hattie McNair, resident of Fair Acres Home, a retirement community in South Carolina. Hattie decides to start a journal chronicling her experiences/impressions of life at Fair Acres. If you think retirement communities are stodgy dull places, read this book and you will never think that again!!
I realize this is fiction, but it was written by an 85 year old resident of The Presbyterian Home in Summervile, South Carolina, so I suspect some of these tales are based on the residents she lived with.

Some of her stories had me rolling with laughter, and a couple brought a tear to my eye. This is a short book; only 177 pages so could be finished in one sitting if you want to, but I wanted to draw it out a bit. I am happy to report that Mrs. Wilder wrote several more books reporting on the escapades at Fair Acres, and I can't wait to read them. If you enjoy books with humor, a bit of poetry and some introspection, you will love this book. Now on to Over The Hill!!

[Janet R. Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! Death is a fact of life…..an ever present fact.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written as a diary, this is a humorous and thoughtful look at the lives of the elderly in a retirement community. Rather than pass her sunset years quietly, Hattie McNair is active in the lives of others, particularly in the life of the young, illiterate caretaker's family. The retirement community adopts this nearly destitute family. The elderly residents play a vital role in this family's life, showing that old age doesn't diminish a person's worth.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! Live in a retirement/nursing home and the humor one can find.

[Rachel · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I want to reread this.

Ms. Effie Leland Wilder’s first novel—published when she was 85–is delightful. Her novel’s perspective is different from most—what day to day life is like in a retirement home, in South Carolina, before cellphones. The author is very intentional about focusing on the good so she will not be overcome with loss. Well timed levity makes it an enjoyable read.

An example of the humor in this book:

Edwin told this at the table. He said President Clinton was visiting an old folks' home. He sat down beside a nice-looking old lady and talked to her about the weather and her health, etc. After a few minutes, he asked her, "Ma'am, do you know who I am?”
She shook her head, patted him on the hand, and said sweetly, "No, dear. I'm sorry I don't. But if you go over there to the desk, they'll tell you who you are."

[Michelle Akers-dicken · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best kinds of stories, for me, are the lessons learned kind of stories. I very much enjoyed Out to Pasture and the reminder it gave me that with every second that we live, no matter if we're in our twilight years and maybe in bed (more than we're not).... there's another second we can use toward making the world a better place.... spreading love (and love IS contageous). I loved the moral of the story. I loved how Hattie finds a way to bring out the best in a generation of people, more often than not, who are all but forgotten by society. I only gave this 3 stars because I wasnt able to relate to Hattie's humor or much of the poetry she quotes. It's dated in a way where today's young people might not be able to "get into".

[Mary Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet book.. I wanted to like it a lot because I loved working with older people and was in a lot of retirement/assisted living/nursing homes during my career. I think my personal experience is what kept me from being completely entertained by this book. I wanted more plot. The anecdotes the author included were nice, but I heard so many wonderful stories first hand that the ones in the book did not seem especially important. I wanted the anecdotes to contribute to the plot, but they just didn't. Overall, though, a quick easy read with some mildly enjoyable stories.

[David Szatkowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute idea of a book, that at least for me, never quite comes together. Written as a 'diary' (each vignette is 'dated), and a series of personalities is given. The book is gentle and interesting at times, but never quite comes together. I do like the focus on older people both as story-tellers and subjects of story, but the book lacks cohesion. I would not read the second in the series, but I can see why people enjoy the book.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Written in 1994, the wording and characters and "morals" are VERY outdated. The writer is clearly a well-to-do, conservative, religious, white woman, and those ideals certainly come through. There were funny moments, but I couldn't get past the cringey parts (like the use of the word N**ro for a Black person, yikes!).

[Barb Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good... I did laugh out loud a couple of times. But alot of the stories and jokes were old. I admire the author who started a new career as a resident in a assisted living home.

[Sheila Dunbar]

Ugh - I don't recommend this book to anyone! It was a chore I had to complete as the assigned book for my library book club this month. Very poorly written, with a weak plot and dated social concepts.(even for 1995, when it was pubished).

[Shannan Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little novel about residents of a retirement community. Think I'm going to read the series. Light and entertaining voice from 85 year-old Effie Leland Wilder.

[Cheryl Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author immediately received three stars just for writing a debut novel when she was 85 years old. She gets another star from me because of wisdom and funny stories regaled throughout the book. My favorite story is about a lady named Mrs. Perry whose car died as she stopped at an intersection. The annoyed man in the car behind her began to blow his horn. Mrs. Perry got out of her car, went up to the man's window, and said to him very sweetly, "Young man, if you will go up there and start my car for me, I will stay here and blow your horn for you." Guess what -- the man did it! I imagine they both went on their separate ways happily. I enjoyed meeting some of the residents at Fair Acres retirement community and I am looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our book club is to read a book dealing with aging in some way this month; so I chose this one. This is Effie L Wilder's first of five novels written when she was 85 years-old. It is written in the form of the main character's diary musings about the senior living center where she abides and letters to one of her friends considering joining her there. It is sweet, sometimes sad, and sometimes humorous. I would love to give it four stars, but the "entries" are mostly quite short and, therefore, incidental. There are a couple of "story lines" that do weave their way through the entries, but not enough to really sustain a yearning to keep reading "just one more page."

[Gabriela BC · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book of the year. Out to Pasture is the type of book you read when you just want to get your mind off preoccupations. It is a nice little novel that brings on a simple, relaxing mood to readers. This is a feel-good story that serves as a reminder that aging is not the end of the world. Wilder highlights the pros of old aging without omitting the obvious cons such as, loneliness, loss of youth, and, the inevitable five-lettered word. Death. Overall, I feel that this novel is all about the vibes. At least, that is how it felt for me. Especially with the beautiful cover and lively illustrations about life at FairAcres Retirement Home! An effortless, quietly serene novel.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quirky book written by an 85 year old lady (her first book). I'm looking forward to reading her second book, "Over What Hill?" This is a compilation of stories and happenings that take place in FairAcres Home for the Aging - where the residents are affectionately referred to as "inmates"!
Several good quotes in the book - one being . . .
"But we are trained in medicine to fight death with every possible weapon.” That’s the rub . . . “Modern medicine has not really prolonged life - not real life - it has just lengthened the process of dying.”

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to fulfill a category in a reading challenge - main character had to be either very young or very old. I’d rather read about someone older any day of the week so this book fit the ticket. The book contains a bunch of short scenes/vignettes at a retirement home with an occasional connecting string. If you come expecting some sweet stories with the occasional out of pocket opinion, you’ll be okay.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit dated but enjoyable none the less. Her generation were so nurturing and deferring to men it was sad but they didn't seem to think it was unusual nor did they question it. Thank goodness things have changed. They even disliked equal rights! She was a good writer though and had a good sense of humor.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it takes a member of the older generation to fully appreciate this book. It is hysterically funny and I laughed out loud many times during the reading of this wonderful book. There are sad, poignant moments in the book that are somewhat painful to ponder but overwhelmingly it is the funny side of the story that will stick with me for a very long time.

[JanElla Schnepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just a charming story. I like the idea that the author used a diary to describe the characters in her life. They come alive from the pages and, if you allow yourself, you are sitting with them and listening in their presence. It was a fast, easy read that captivated my heart and made me reminisce fondly of my family members and friends.

[Ramona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very humorous. I enjoy reading stories that reveal life from an older person's point of view. When well-written, you gain insight to what your own life may be like, as well as, how you can relate to the older ones in your own life. With age comes experience, possibly wisdom, and a lot of angst! A great series!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great find at my local independent book store! I've never heard of this series or author but it was a gem I enjoyed reading in segments. The senior citizens are a varied group, quite helpful and sometimes funny. I'm grateful the second book was with the first and look forward to reading it one day soon.

[Ginger Aiyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a cozy and heartwarming little novel. There were some bittersweet moments as well as times that had me cracking up hard. I actually chose this book because reading the first couple pages were so amusing. Hattie is so funny and caring. It's a revealing look at the thoughts and emotions running through the minds of people reaching the age of living in retirement homes.