Peshwari Nans: Beyond the bucket list

by Stephen Haughan

Two elderly sisters, One classic car, 7000 miles of arthritic adventure.

Genres: Fiction

665 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2016

About the author

Stephen Haughan, born in East London in 1965 the middle of three brothers. Although a skilled multi-tradesman Steve discovered a love for writing after the birth of his children, he picked up the pen one christmas and began a series of short stories for them and was immediately bitten by the literary bug.
Having left school with no formal qualifications Stephen drew on his love of comedy and drama as the inspiration for his written works.
A trilogy following the early lives of three close Essex girl friends was penned between 2012 and 2014 receiving numerous five star reviews on Amazon before moving onto a project at the opposite end of the literary spectrum, Peshwari Nans, the tale of two eighty something sisters Esther and Minnie and their classic car Vivien, together they embark on an epic quest to Raipur in central India to fulfil the dying wish of a dear friend.

Reviews

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Two 80-something sister embark on an epic road trip from London to India in a vintage car, driving almost 8000 miles. Along the way they find themselves making friends with Hell's Angels, an aging Polish Lothario, the Russian army, the Chinese authorities, and a host of others. The sisters become internet sensations and cultural icons without even trying. It's really funny too, and the author does a terrific job of creating sympathetic characters, placing them in improbable situations, and making it all seem plausible. I can just picture Esther and Minnie enjoying their tea alongside the Autobahn and along a mountain road in Tibet. And the episode with the Tibetan monks is priceless! I can even see this as a terrific movie starring the likes of Maggie Smith and Judi Densch!

[Lynne Crichton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Stephen Haughan is a master at weaving a story that draws you into it. I laughed, cried, gasped, and cheered through this book Peshwari Nan's : Beyond The Bucket List, as the main characters Essie and Minnie travel in Morris Minor traveller (named Vivian), across Europe to India to fulfill a promise to a dying girl.
The scrapes and escapades these two octogenarians get into had me in stitches. What a wonderful book! After I had read the Kindle version I then read the hard copy edition and loved it all over again, I feel like I know these two ladies so well now and was waiting with baited breath for part two to be published.
Thanks Stephen for sharing your stories with the world.

[Laurie Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to take an adventure without ever leaving your seat, if you love travel and little old ladies that make you laugh and cry, this is the book for you...The Nans go on the adventure of a lifetime and they are taking you with them. This is one of those books that you never want to put down and at the end of the book you're already looking forward to the next adventure...Esther and Minnie are in their 80's and they take a trip from England to India, the laughs never end as they go from one country to the next wreaking havoc and finding good in every person they meet along the way, with the exception of maybe a couple of people...I loved this book and when I read the 2nd installment, I couldn't wait for the 3rd...Read this you won't be disappointed

[Jackie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story of tw0 eighty something sisters on the adventure of a life time. Stephen Haughan had me in tears of laughter, joy, sadness and on the edge of my seat so many times with this book. There was so many times I didn't want to put the book down because I just had to see what happen next. Anyone looking for something good to read I would put this author at the top of your list of reading.

[anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the travel, thank you Stephen Haughan for introducing me to your ladies!

Like all trips, there are those slow bits. The book itself even took a trip, but always kept me looking for what's next.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! What a great book. Didn't want it to end. Luckily there is a part two that I hope to be able to read soon.
Two octogenarian sisters set off on a 7500 mile road trip to make good on a promise to a dying young woman. Thru 9 countries
they go wreaking havoc along the way

[Pamela Frady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The characters come to life and you get so involved in their story. Everyone should read it !!

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end it had me laughing almost to crying, and also crying too at times.


The story starts off with the two sisters losing a friend of theirs a young woman called Jasvinder who is murdered but the sisters Esther and Minnie both octogenarians set off on a mission to fulfil their friends dying wishes to take money to her husband Ravi in Raipur India.


The only means of transport they have is Vivien a Trafalgar blue 1965 Morris Traveller classic car.


The characters in this book are all wonderful and funny especially Esther’s poor daughter who is despairing of her mother and Aunt so much so she’s committed to a mental institution when the sisters reach Russia as her nerves can take no more. Some of the scenes set around her committal reminded me of Inspector Clouseau and his twitching boss Charles Dreyfus.


As the characters journey through various countries they wreak havoc but in such a hilarious way but what stands out throughout the story is the love the sisters have for one another and their undying fight for survival.


Stephen Haughan has done a fabulous job with this story if I had to complain about anything the chapters were a little too long but that’s my only thing and it doesn’t detract from the story.


I regularly found myself wanting to go back to reading her story and finished it in 3 days. I will definitely be reading the other two books in the series, also Stephen invited me to his Facebook page Peshwari Nans where there are some wonderful people there.


I gave this book a well deserved 5 stars.

[Phyllida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded me very much of The Hundred-year-old Man who climbed out of the Window and Disappeared. The main problem I had with it was the length of the chapters - one of them more than 200 pages long - and the lack of convenient stopping places - there were no gaps in the text even when there was a change in subject or which set of characters you were reading about so it all blended into one.

I was not sure the car chase with President Putin was not a silliness too far. Perhaps names should have been changed? I cannot imagine Cameron or Putin being quite so stupid. The book seems to be intended as comedy but these two old ladies don't just get into a little bit of trouble , their lives are frequently in danger, and I felt sorry for the daughter being sectioned (not funny).

I am reading these books on the recommendation of a friend so I am hoping for improvement in part 2. The characters of the Nans themselves have just enough charm to keep you reading. The idea behind the book is reasonably good but the execution not so much. I don't want to be educated by the book, I want to be entertained.

[Maureen Demizio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started with Book l ....Beyond the Bucket List.... I really didn't know what to expect. But right from the beginning I loved it. These two sweet ladies that you feel you know. They are hilarious and their adventure is so thrilling. I travelled with them through out Europe, so many countries and so many miles in Vivien. I just could not put the book down. I couldn't wait to continue travelling with them in Part ll. Now I can't wait to Stephen finishes Part lll. If you want to read a wonderful adventure story of two hilarious over sisters over 80 travelling over thousands of miles. Their trials and tribulations. I just loved both the books. Two of my favourite books of all times.

Definite recommend. I wish I could give it 10 STARS

[Margaret Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The imagination is in overdrive while reading of Esther and Minnie's hilarious Journey in Their classic Morris car Vivien...
I guarantee you will be taken on heart breaking ,heart stopping , hilariously funny, unbelievable adventures with these absolutely adorable , eccentric, outrageously loveable Nans .
This intrepid pair journey to Raipur deep in India to fulfil an important kindness for a friend and neighbour... Their journey taking them through several countries along the way and lots of twists and turns of circumstance...
A thoroughly great read.. Stephan Haughan has excelled himself with his portrayal of these two adorable women and their epic journey... Be prepared for tears , laughter and awe when you meet these two Wild wonderful Nans...
Mgt Thompso

[Janet Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peshwari nans beyond the bucket list is a book beyond words, you'll gasp, laugh and cry at these two wonderful ladies. They will ignite your wanderlust and take you to places you never knew existed. It's a book begging to be read again and again leaving you desperate to know what happens next. It shows you growing old is a state of mind. If I've got half their energy and enthusiasm for life at their ages I'll be content
can't wait to get the next instalment, keep writing Stephen, these two need to go on and on

[Tracy Nunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable books ive had the pleasure of not putting down in a long time. The writer of this book decribes this adventure with passion and detail so much so that you are there with the girls on their journey of a lifetime. Reading this novel has filled me a mix of emotions from belly laughing to shedding a tear. It truly is a lovely enjoyable entertaining book to read. I was happy and sad when i finished this book but have now started book no 2 so i can carry on this wonderful journey.

[Derek Mutch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is one novel you should read for pure entertainment value then this is the one. Never mind the truly amazing reasons for the adventure, just let your mind go with the flow and you will be launched into a world of laughter, joy, tears and every emotion going as these two quintessential English elderly sisters take on board the seemingly impossible trip of a lifetime in the most dignified means of travel....their Trafalgar Blue Morris Minor Traveller, fondly named Vivien.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peshwari Nans: Beyond the Bucket List by Stephen Haughan is a definite must read. Two elderly arthritic sisters, in order to fulfill a promise to a dying friend, embark on the road trip of a lifetime. Oh, the adventures they have! You'll laugh and you'll cry but you won't be able to stop turning the pages. And you'll learn that no matter your age, old or young, if you believe it you can do it. Highly recommend!

[Helen Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am half way through this book and I want to read and read, this book is such fun, gripping and the ladies are amazing.
But... I don't want to finish it too quickly. Hadn't read a book in quite awhile, when I started reading the Nans I just loved it. The stories, the adventures just flow. Great writing, great fun..
Loving it..
I am reading the paperback that the author Stephen Haughan kindly sent me when my name was picked in a draw.. Thank you very, very much.

[Daniel Lawless · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book. This isn't usually my genre but after seeing films like the Marigold Hotel. This book turned out to be a funny and heart warming adventure with two strong lovable women. The story is inspirational and gripping at the same time as I became invested in the journey of these elderly ladies. I can really see this being made into a films and would be perfect with the right cast.

I strongly recommend this book as it's something anyone can enjoy.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novel. Fun adventure as you travel through 9 countries from England to India with two sisters, Esther and Minnie, in their 80's who are travelling in a vintage car with the name of Vivien. These two sisters let nothing deter them from their mission of fulfilling a dying neighbours wish. The adventures Esther and Minnie will take you on will keep you reading late into the night, looking for more. It is hilarious, eye opening and has touching moments. You won't be disappointed

[Lisa Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book!!! Loved this book from the very start, really enjoyed getting to know Esther and Minnie. Felt like I was sitting in the back of Vivien with them on their travels. So many laugh out loud moments but emotional too. Would recommend this book to anyone and have already downloaded the next two onto my Kindle. Well done Stephen Haughan for a fantastic read. Looking forward to Esther and Minnie’s future travels. .

[Mrs Christine Pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG what a story

Most of it is absurd, typos prevail, not sure if geographically correct, but if you had a nan who was over 80 in the 1980s you can hear her speaking like Esther and Minnie. You just know the next bit is equally as fascinating as the previous pages. This book is so entertaining and highlights a lot of what is right and wrong in the world and I am really looking forward to reading the next in the series. Well done Mr Haughan

[Ann Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will tickle your funny bone, have you grabbing for a tissue, rooting for the underdog and cheering for these two adorable women! AND a FB group that is like family now. I listened to it which was 24 hours long!!!!! Just ready to read the second one. The audio was fantastic read by Alex Lee I believe. Hopefully she will be reading more to us about Essie and Minnie. It makes the whole story come alive but now I have her voice in my head so I will read it with her narrative.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading Peshwari Nans. I love this kind of book with a big adventure. I love the two Nans they are both Funny and strong role models. I hope this series carries on for a long time as I'm sure there are many more adventures to be had and would also see what other stories this Author can create.

5 Stars

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first foray into the works of Stephen Haughan, a thoroughly enjoyable anarchical trip through multiple countries and several continents! I found myself engaging with the characters right from page one, and read the book from cover to cover in two days. Have ordered the sequel and eagerly await its arrival. Highly recommended, even if this is not your usual genre!

[Sue Boahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and Quite Entertaining!!!

These Peshwari Nans - you never know extraordinary circumstances these 2 will get into next on their long journey in a car from England to India. Loved this book!!! Looking forward to the 2nd book and more of the Nans’ journeys. A definite must read. These 2 ladies are my heroes! Kept me laughing through the whole book.

[Anne Luetzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow my head is still spinning from the whirlwind tour that these 2 seniors took me on. Ive been through every emotion I know, plus a few I didnt. The Nans are a breath of freshness, love and thoughfulness to all the meet. Thank you Stephan. Ive just ordered book 2 and until it arrives Ill make do with a slow relaxing detective novel, Ha HA

[Jess Bonsor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story and journey!
a lovely book following 2 Life like characters, following thier unique outlooks and quirks
and not being able to stop following their journey.
If i could rate this more than 5 stars i would.

10 stars **********

[Sharon Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book enjoying the adventures of two Elderly Sisters , compassionate and touching moments as the sisters get into lots of scrapes !
A must read and didn’t want it to end !
Imagination of the Author Stephen Haughan is remarkable .

[Linda Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so loved this book, I had a great adventure with the nans, they are wonderful. My grandfather had a Morris traveller, so great memories. I highly recommend this book. You won't want it to end. Xx

[Penny-sue Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most fantastic journey you will ever go on!! A fabulous adventure from start to finish! You will be laughing, crying and sighing throughout!!!

[Sophie blower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was Leamington by a friend, read it, loved it and purchased the sequels immediately. More, more, more 🙏 💕