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Just Looking
Just Looking is a finalist in the Kindle Best Indie Book Awards 2013
The day has arrived when Alice can no longer live on her own. She forgets to take her meds, and she was caught feeding teabags to her cat. Her long suffering daughter delivers her to a retirement home, but getting her to stay will be a battle of wills.
- The breeze followed them inside until the automatic doors whooshed shut behind them. Corridors like hungry mouths headed in every direction.
Alice chewed on her bottom lip and planted her feet. She gulped. "This place is going to swallow me whole," she whispered.
Karen blew on her hands and smiled. "Oh good, it's much warmer inside. Well, this is lovely isn't it?"
"These cream walls are going to put me to sleep. Permanently. Is that what you want?" Alice wanted to have a tantrum on the floor, kick and scream like a toddler. But the floor looked uncomfortable and getting down there was just too hard. -
Ideal for anyone who wants a light read and can't be bothered with novels.
Approximately 6,000 words
The day has arrived when Alice can no longer live on her own. She forgets to take her meds, and she was caught feeding teabags to her cat. Her long suffering daughter delivers her to a retirement home, but getting her to stay will be a battle of wills.
- The breeze followed them inside until the automatic doors whooshed shut behind them. Corridors like hungry mouths headed in every direction.
Alice chewed on her bottom lip and planted her feet. She gulped. "This place is going to swallow me whole," she whispered.
Karen blew on her hands and smiled. "Oh good, it's much warmer inside. Well, this is lovely isn't it?"
"These cream walls are going to put me to sleep. Permanently. Is that what you want?" Alice wanted to have a tantrum on the floor, kick and scream like a toddler. But the floor looked uncomfortable and getting down there was just too hard. -
Ideal for anyone who wants a light read and can't be bothered with novels.
Approximately 6,000 words
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2013
43 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 24, 2013
This is a really well-written story that provokes both tears and laughter. So clever, so masterfully crafted, so intriguing that the reader is left with numerous mixed feelings that should be analyzed and sorted out later.
In fact, in so few words the author has portrayed so many 'hot' issues in such a natural and convincing style, which is something to be noted indeed.
On the other hand, it has a great moral behind the good laugh. We should perhaps think about age more from the human point of view and not just as a social 'problem'.
Moreover, presumably, wisdom usually comes with age, so we need to acknowledge and respect such people.
If we go further with the latter issues, we might even see that even some young people act or live as if they are very very 'old', but immature in their intellectual development. And vice versa!
Finally, the only thing that I still missed was some more info about the wonderful author herself.
Nevertheless, overall I could simply say:
'Well-done'!
In fact, in so few words the author has portrayed so many 'hot' issues in such a natural and convincing style, which is something to be noted indeed.
On the other hand, it has a great moral behind the good laugh. We should perhaps think about age more from the human point of view and not just as a social 'problem'.
Moreover, presumably, wisdom usually comes with age, so we need to acknowledge and respect such people.
If we go further with the latter issues, we might even see that even some young people act or live as if they are very very 'old', but immature in their intellectual development. And vice versa!
Finally, the only thing that I still missed was some more info about the wonderful author herself.
Nevertheless, overall I could simply say:
'Well-done'!
May 6, 2013
While this is a funny story it is also so true to life. Life's never easy but it has to be hard to reach the age when the choices about your life are taken out of your hands. Ms. Higgins made a very difficult subject into a quirky little story that will not only have you laughing but will have you thinking about what it must be like to be the one no one listens to any longer.
December 31, 2017
I suppose this was an attempt at old folk's home humor. It was a poor attempt and ended up being irritating instead of humorous. Yet another cantankerous spinster acting insufferable rather than grateful that someone is looking out for her well-being.
March 27, 2016
Cute short story!
September 11, 2018
Rather abrupt ending
I do not require happy or tidy endings, but this story ended so abruptly that I thought that I had turned a chapter rather than a page!
I do not require happy or tidy endings, but this story ended so abruptly that I thought that I had turned a chapter rather than a page!
October 24, 2014
I bought this book because it was a finalist in the Amazon Indy Book Awards, looked cute, and was only a dollar. Last night I "cracked" open my iPad mini to give it a quick glance while waiting for Dr. Who to buffer. The first paragraph had me distracted immediately:
"I'm not getting out of the car, Karen. Take me home." Alice looked back at the red brick building engulfing the car's windscreen. She lowered her eyes and ran a finger across the paper-thin skin of her other hand. The spots looked like they belonged on a leopard. Her heart fluttered in her chest like a tiny bird flapping its wings.
This book is about a cranky old lady that is at an age where she can no longer take care of herself. Her daughter brings her to an "old folks home", intending to check her in for round-the-clock care. The extremely short story views this polarizing experience through the eyes of Alice, a woman who doesn't want to give in to being old, and doesn't want to give up her independence in her living arrangement.
I must say this book, however short, is well done. The writing and story flow smoothly, with fresh descriptions and life-like dialogue. You feel the despondency of the character, fearing to start this last chapter in her life in a foreign place. A sterilized, shared, unfamiliar place. With an immediately engrossing style, and a relatable main character, Alice, this book gives the reader an insight into what it must be like to uproot your whole world, and move it into a place such as what is awaiting the character.
Overlaying the depressing and lifelike undercurrent is a gloss of humor that I enjoyed. This woman may not have remembered what she had for breakfast, she may not be steady on her feet, and she may not be solely able to take care of herself, but damn it, she doesn't have to go quietly! She responds to her sad and put-upon daughter with sass, refusing to be pandered to or pushed around. She tries to flee, only to be thwarted by her frail body. Every avenue of escape is pondered, and what goes wrong is as depressing as it is hilarious.
"I'm not getting out of the car, Karen. Take me home." Alice looked back at the red brick building engulfing the car's windscreen. She lowered her eyes and ran a finger across the paper-thin skin of her other hand. The spots looked like they belonged on a leopard. Her heart fluttered in her chest like a tiny bird flapping its wings.
This book is about a cranky old lady that is at an age where she can no longer take care of herself. Her daughter brings her to an "old folks home", intending to check her in for round-the-clock care. The extremely short story views this polarizing experience through the eyes of Alice, a woman who doesn't want to give in to being old, and doesn't want to give up her independence in her living arrangement.
I must say this book, however short, is well done. The writing and story flow smoothly, with fresh descriptions and life-like dialogue. You feel the despondency of the character, fearing to start this last chapter in her life in a foreign place. A sterilized, shared, unfamiliar place. With an immediately engrossing style, and a relatable main character, Alice, this book gives the reader an insight into what it must be like to uproot your whole world, and move it into a place such as what is awaiting the character.
Overlaying the depressing and lifelike undercurrent is a gloss of humor that I enjoyed. This woman may not have remembered what she had for breakfast, she may not be steady on her feet, and she may not be solely able to take care of herself, but damn it, she doesn't have to go quietly! She responds to her sad and put-upon daughter with sass, refusing to be pandered to or pushed around. She tries to flee, only to be thwarted by her frail body. Every avenue of escape is pondered, and what goes wrong is as depressing as it is hilarious.
May 2, 2014
This is a very good YA read. Lilly, the main character is acting out because her mother doesn't care about her. In fact she goes out of her way to show Lilly she doesn't care. Lilly tries shoplifting and gets arrested on her first try. She's sentenced to community service in a retirement home and there her life changes.
I think Lilly is a great character. She is a hopeful soul surrounded by a hopeless situation. Even some of those around her that know her situation don't realize that rich doesn't always equally happy. At age fifteen, she has a hardened heart but you get to see glimpses of the beautiful girl underneath.
This is a well-written inspiring book that I would recommend to younger readers and adults. There enough life and humor in the book for everyone. It was a joy to read this story.
I think Lilly is a great character. She is a hopeful soul surrounded by a hopeless situation. Even some of those around her that know her situation don't realize that rich doesn't always equally happy. At age fifteen, she has a hardened heart but you get to see glimpses of the beautiful girl underneath.
This is a well-written inspiring book that I would recommend to younger readers and adults. There enough life and humor in the book for everyone. It was a joy to read this story.
January 23, 2014
"She Doesn't Want to Go!"
Karen is having to drive her ageing mother, Alice, to an assisted living facility. Like all independent, outspoken seniors, Alice balks. She wants to go home, but her house has been sold. Alice keeps saying she's not staying, and I really thought she would pull off the great escape. But there are two things that change her mind. Personally, I felt this story could have been a little longer and with more sass and humor from Alice. But Alice is very fortunate to have a daughter to find a comfortable abode in her last days. It's never easy for an oldster being put on the shelf, nor is it easy for a daughter or son to have to make this decision. The story is well written and edited, but I'd like to see Alice having a bit more to say!
Karen is having to drive her ageing mother, Alice, to an assisted living facility. Like all independent, outspoken seniors, Alice balks. She wants to go home, but her house has been sold. Alice keeps saying she's not staying, and I really thought she would pull off the great escape. But there are two things that change her mind. Personally, I felt this story could have been a little longer and with more sass and humor from Alice. But Alice is very fortunate to have a daughter to find a comfortable abode in her last days. It's never easy for an oldster being put on the shelf, nor is it easy for a daughter or son to have to make this decision. The story is well written and edited, but I'd like to see Alice having a bit more to say!
November 11, 2013
A lot of truth
A quick short read of a daughter trying to convince her mom, it’s time to move to a home. I went through this with both of parents a few years back so it wasn’t difficult to relate to Karen Williams and the administrator Melanie trying to convince her mom, Alice, it was time; she was no longer able to care for herself.
Alice is convinced she wasn’t staying. This place wasn’t for her; it was a place where people went to die. In the end, despite Alice’s complaining, whining and plans for escape, she decided, maybe this wasn’t such a bad place to be. Why the sudden change. Well, you’ll have to read the story.
I recommend for those of us who have had to place our folks in a home or those who see the path isn’t too far down the road.
Four stars.
A quick short read of a daughter trying to convince her mom, it’s time to move to a home. I went through this with both of parents a few years back so it wasn’t difficult to relate to Karen Williams and the administrator Melanie trying to convince her mom, Alice, it was time; she was no longer able to care for herself.
Alice is convinced she wasn’t staying. This place wasn’t for her; it was a place where people went to die. In the end, despite Alice’s complaining, whining and plans for escape, she decided, maybe this wasn’t such a bad place to be. Why the sudden change. Well, you’ll have to read the story.
I recommend for those of us who have had to place our folks in a home or those who see the path isn’t too far down the road.
Four stars.
February 5, 2014
"Just looking" is all Alice is doing when her daughter calls into the retirement home. She isn't able to look after herself at home anymore and so the need for care has come. However, Alice doesn't think so and tries to find numerous ways of "escaping" before it is too late.
I did try very hard to like this but the story seemed to be a series of paragraphs that didn't really flow together and punctuated by some one-liners from the old lady. Actually, I only gave this a 2-star rating based on the jokes of Alice - there really wasn't that much more to take from this.
Paul
ARH
I did try very hard to like this but the story seemed to be a series of paragraphs that didn't really flow together and punctuated by some one-liners from the old lady. Actually, I only gave this a 2-star rating based on the jokes of Alice - there really wasn't that much more to take from this.
Paul
ARH
May 26, 2013
This is a lovely short story, so poignant for all. Having reached the age where many people staring down the barrel of the retirement village within the next ten years, I am in a position to appreciate the dilemma posed. Fortunately, I have no cat to feed teabags to, but my pet rats might well have to call for the RSPCA!
Such as enjoyable story, cleverly and gently written with a heartrendingly funny ending.
Well done, Ms Higgins :)
May 5, 2013
This short story is light relief for anyone who has faced the challenges of aging or helping a loved one age. Higgins deals with the awkward situation of putting an elderly relative in an assisted living facility with humor, and brings out many of the emotions mother and daughter must feel.
Higgins packs a lot into a few pages. You'll be able to read JUST LOOKING in a spare 30 minutes or hour.
Higgins packs a lot into a few pages. You'll be able to read JUST LOOKING in a spare 30 minutes or hour.
November 26, 2013
This was an interesting short story of charming Alice as she looks at an assisted living facility. Parts made me smile and parts made me sad. I really felt for Alice when the nurse talked to her daughter as if Alice weren't there. I drew comparisons between this facility and the place where my Dad went for a period of time.
August 9, 2013
Funny and clever. Ms. Higgins nails what it is like to get old and makes it funny. Great Read.
October 5, 2013
Nice, realistic read! no wonder it's a award winner!!
October 16, 2013
Karen is driving her mother to an assistant living facility, but her very witty, outspoken mom Alice doesn't want any part of it. I enjoyed this short story.
October 21, 2013
Cute short book
January 2, 2014
Sweet story
a sweet quick read. several chuckle worthy moments. would love to know how things worked out in the future for alice
a sweet quick read. several chuckle worthy moments. would love to know how things worked out in the future for alice
April 26, 2014
I enjoyed this short story, but I found the ending far too abrupt; my first impression was that I had downloaded a sample and not the entire book.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews