Casting Off

by P.I. Paris

A hilarious, poignant tale of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice – and how you're never too old to try something new.

When the residents of a Highland care home discover that the new owners are about to substantially put up the fees, they know that dramatic action is called for. But what can a group of senior citizens possibly do against a big organisation? For Dorothy, the situation is serious. If she can’t raise money she’ll have to leave all her friends, like dear Miss Ross.

In protest, the residents barricade themselves into the lounge. However, their rebellion fails, so worldly-wise Joan suggests a most unusual way to cover the rise – a very naughty chat line for men who want to talk to older women ‘in a particular way’! As their lives take a series of unexpected turns, things get increasingly out of control…

Calendar Girls meets The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Casting Off will delight and amuse fans of Jonas Jonasson's The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and Alan Bennet's The Lady in the Van.

Genres: Fiction, British Literature, Humor, Audiobook, Scotland, Contemporary

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 8, 2016

Reviews

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a disappointment! I thought this book would be funny but I found it an uncomfortable read at times.
Reading about elderly people in a care home some suffering from dementia made it a difficult read for me having experience the illness in my family recently, it brought back many sad memories.
I don’t find it at all funny and although it’s great that the book brings it to people’s attention, it still hurt to read about it.
Other readers might enjoy it but unfortunately this book just made me remember close relatives recently lost and actually made it a very sad story to read.

[Susan Hampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has to be my favourite comedy novel of the year. Set in an Highland care home, a place where people of a certain age go to be looked after in their twilight years, it follows the plight of its residents. Let's say a very determined group of friends that will do anything and I mean anything to stay together. Really what mischief could a group of pensioners get up to? There is a saying though, there's life in the old dog yet and that is very true in the case of these residents.

This book is a little gem. I laughed at page after page of hilarious moments from the speed that a zimmer frame and pensioner can travel to the most bizarre telephone conversations and everything in between. I don't think I could ever play chess again without conjuring up some quite different images. The thing is you could imagine everything in the book happening. The whole novel is just so very uplifting and leaves you with a good feel factor. What I really liked too was how by bringing together young and old it was quite a wow at times of how attitudes have changed towards certain situations.

This is a very well balanced, funny and highly entertaining book. A super read. I wish to thank TBConFB for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

[Carrie-Jennifer Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a feel good, easy read that also took me ok a wild emotional rollercoaster. I loved it!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about a care home set in the Highlands. Very funny book with some emotional moments about the residents who set up a chat line to cover rising costs. There were lots of interesting characters & some laugh out loud scenes. Great book. Thanks to TBC on FB for the review copy. Have ordered a copy for my mum to read as it is so good.

[Donna Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A hilarious, poignant tale of friendship, loyalty and sacrifice – and how you're never too old to try something new."

From the title, I think I was expecting a book about knitting.... There was a bit of knitting but an awful lot else! The story is set a retirement home in the Highlands and we gradually meet all the residents with their quirky nature and individual foibles. Through their various adventures following notification that the fees will be going up, we come to love and treasure them all. This book is in turns funny and sad. A bit depressing but ultimately uplifting. the banner headline from the publishers blurb is right - but I felt the book also had a serious undertone about the value to society of older people - and so its not just a hilarious tale. With thanks to TBC for a review copy.

[joyce g · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading buddy pick. A charming story.

[Michelle Ascott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC copy of this book from TBC, a very enjoyable light hearted read set in a care home in Scotland, where we meet the residents and hear their stories. And find out how far they will go to stay together!
Filled with laughter and the occasional weep, you will be drawn in from the first page.

[Fiona Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn't quite the read I assumed it was going to be. From the title I thought it would be about a group of OAP's knitting! But no, it was so much more than I thought it would be.

The residents of the nursing home in the book are an amazing bunch of people. Being thrown together in a communal living space can't be easy for anyone, especially when you are in your later years. But somehow the characters make it work, friendships are formed and bonds made.

Inevitably the story has to deal with death a few times, as residents pass on. These are dealt with well, and it wasn't the sad read I was expecting during those moments.

The funny moments throughout the story made me howl so much. I can play chess, thankfully I don't play it often, or I would need to get the running commentary from this story out of my head. And don't get me started on the fact that one of the main characters is a retired school teacher and she gets herself into a very strange predicament, leading to some rather awkwardly funny moments.

This is a story which will have you laughing out loud one moment and in need of a tissue the next. It is a great read and one which I recommend to those looking for an easy read.

I was provided with a copy of this book by the author and TBConFB in exchange for an honest review.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casting Off

General/ Geriatric Fiction( Okay so I just made the last one up)

For some unfathomable reason 2016 has been the year of books about old folks and this delightful book , Casting On, based on a play written by the same author ( which incidentally received much critical acclaim) is another volume I am adding to my pile.

I cannot speak more highly of “Casting Off. At first glance it is a humorous tale set in a Scottish care home, but before very long we are examining some very emotive issues. The true beauty of this book is that each and every character is treated as a human being first before they are lumped in as OLD people which is of course exactly as it should be.

These home inhabitants are the result of very varied lives, some with some rather daring skeletons in their closets, so whilst there are the pre-requisite discussions in the communal lounge and “entertainments” proper for the setting, there are also the most subversive actions and bitter rivalries more akin to youngsters of a much more rebellious age. Soon though, fate brings real Young people into their spheres and experiences on both sides of the age spectrum are enriched!

The cost of remaining in the home becomes untenable for some of the residents, so a core group under the guise of a Knitting Circle begin to plot and plan how to make sure that the most financially vulnerable residents can remain in the rooms that are their own stability and sanctuary. Some of their plans are pretty out there!




Gradually deep and long held secrets come to the surface and each of their lives are shaped and coloured by the actions and reactions of the others to these revelations. Some find bravery never before tapped, some regain strength and vitality and others forge new friendships or renew familial connections whilst other move gently into the next chapter, be that the everlasting or to pastures not necessarily greener, but meaner.

The tone is warm and even the darker themes of the inevitability of death and the ravages of Dementia, closeted sexuality and even sexual drives and appetites in elder practitioners are dealt with deftly and with style and panache. Despite some of the residents being not the pleasantest of folks, they are never caricatures, they are real people and their daily machinations, rhythms and foibles elevate this story to a really joyful celebration of life, love in all it’s guises and yes even death too.

I found myself self consciously weeping in the final chapters and I can find no stronger recommendation than that, my soggy tissue and gentle sigh as I reached the final sentence is my version of a five star review, which this book definitely also deserves.

[Tracy Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Casting Off is a cheeky and hilarious read.

Set in a care home for the elderly, we makes friends, yes I really did feel like they were real, with the residents of Highland care home and chuckle, smile and weep at their escapades.

These delightful old souls share with us their tricks of raising funds, so that they may stay in the place they call home after the fees are raised and some are unable to afford them.

They are all different, and when they find that knitting won't cover what they need they set up a 'adult chat line', and believe me they are quite inventive when it comes to some requests. My favourite characters are Mrs O'Reilly and Joan, two very open minded ladies and very funny.

This is one of 'those' books that the reader is almost sorry it has to end.

It covers the essence of getting older. making friends and losing them. It is also very touching and P.I.Paris gladdens the heart with her skill of brilliant penmanship.

If you think this isn't a book for you, read it anyway. It is a book of pure delight, and I'm sure will lift the hardest of hearts.

[Misfits farm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that takes you through the gamut of every emotion. Laugh, smile, gaffaw, pensive, tearful and the rest. Set in an old peoples home in Scotland “We care for you”, this shows that although the body and sometimes the mind may not be completely able, what went before should not be underestimated and the old adage of “never judge a book…” applies to both young and old alike. Of friendships, determination and empathy this is very well written and in the most part is a light-hearted read but there are parts that make you think about life and what it has in store. Serious issues are handled with sensitivity and care and this has been researched and dealt with very well. “Pearls of wisdom” is a classic (I won’t spoil it) but what an excellent idea. An enjoyable, entertaining read to make you smile. (But be warned there maybe the odd tear)
A tale of mischievousness by the not-so-young.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review

[Natasha Brett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure what I really expected with reading Casting off. I hadn't read the blurb in any detail and just thought it sounded like a nice escapism read. But it really exceeded my expectations.

Casting off is a novel about the inhabitants of a residential home in Scotland. The main plot line is based on the home raising its prices and how the residents will manage this. The story focuses on many characters whom you feel like you really get to know. They are all really rounded characters complete with the complexities of old age conditions as well as their back stories which gives you insight into the people they are now.

This book had me absolutely creased up with laughter. Some really funny moments in it. But also crying with the sad times. It's the first book that I have read with all the main characters being that old and it was definitely an eye opener and gave me food for thought.

I received a copy of this novel from TBC on FB for an honest review. Many thanks.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many words that can be used to describe this book.
Funny, sad, thought provoking, lovely, enjoyable and heart warming. But I loved it and I am so glad I got a chance to have read it.
What are the residents of We Care For You care home to do when they receive letters informing them of a hefty increase in their payments. So hefty that some can't afford it and face the possibility of leaving the many friends they have gotten to know and the only home they have know for a long time.
What follows is the story of how they decide to raise money for those who need help. So many wonderful characters that I couldn't decide which one I enjoyed reading about most. I loved how the author gave us an insight into each of them and their thoughts, feelings and personalities. I would recommend this book and it will leave you with a different view of care homes and their residents.
Thanks to TBConFB for allowing me to read and review.

[Fiona Mccormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to TBConFB for an arc of this book, received in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fantastic book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is the story of the residents of We Care for You, a care home in the Scottish Highlands, where the residents stage a rebellion as they hear care fees are to be increased meaning some of them may have to find cheaper accommodation. When they realise they are going to have to pay the higher fees they resort to various money making schemes including hosting a sex chat line which leads to much hilarity!
This book was really funny and also so sad at times. I loved the eclectic mix of characters and all their antics. At times I was howling with laughter and other times I was in tears. Similar in vein to The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen which I also loved, I would highly recommend this book.

[Karen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, made me laugh out loud but also made me shed a tear and reflect on life and all it has to offer.
We meet our eclectic bunch of characters at a care home and we grow to love their idiosyncrasies and really root for them when they take on the establishment. The relationships between the characters are beautifully crafted and as readers we completely invest in them. In fact, I felt slightly bereft when the book was finished.
It reminds me of "The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen' in its themes and the depth of character. It does not shy away from difficult issues but handles them with such a gentle hand that it leaves you thinking but not feeling like you've been hit over the head with a hammer.I will be recommending this book.

[Karen Farrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book after being given a copy by THE Book Club on Facebook in return for an honest review. I thought this sounded great from the blurb and was eager to read it. I have to say it didn't disappoint. A few of the escapades and capers were a little far fetched but entirely believable! The characters all had great histories and back stories and a little of these were given on introduction of each person. This helped build a great picture in my mind! The book was a funny, laugh out loud and also very emotional at times. Gave a great image of old age for some people and I hope I'm lucky enough to reach the age where I can move into somewhere like We Care For You! The characters were fantastic, funny and utterly believable. A great read for any age!

[Frances Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Casting Off from TBC on Facebook - as a keen knitter the title grabbed my attention!

The book follows the residents of a Highland care home, 'We Care For You', during a crisis caused by new owners raising the fees. The plot is focussed around the residents' attempts to deal with this issue, with a lot of mishaps, comedy and touches of sadness along the way.

I found the book to be really easy to read and enjoyable. It was well-written, and the cast of characters were memorable, especially our main protagonist, retired headmistress Miss Ross. There are some quite moving moments, and lots of comedy, but all are handled with a light touch and kept me rooting for the residents until the very end.

[Pnina Savery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book. It was an entertaining and highly enjoyable read. The inhabitants of this Scottish care home are full of life, filling the book with all sorts of adventures and jokes. I laughed out loud a number of times when reading it! Casting Off is much more than just an entertaining read. It also touches upon a number of important topics that are relevant to our lives: loneliness in old age, dealing with problems in relationships, issues facing the younger generation and many more (I can't go into too much details without spoiling the book!)

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks TBC for allowing me to read and review
This is a lovely little read - don't be decieved by the cover - i thought it was going to be about a gorup of knitters but it is not. It is set in ~"We care for you" care home and tells the lovely story of elderly people coming together to rebel against the homes fees going up. The characters are all really likeable and will have you laughing out loud, there are also some sad moments. I loved getting to know more about all of the characters, and they do get upto some naughty antics! You wont be disappointed!

[Gail Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you TBConFB this copy in return for an honest review.
This is a gem of a book. I don't think that 5* is enough. In actual fact it needs to be made into a film!!
The crux of the story is that a group of pensioners in a Scottish nursing home decide to fight the owners, who've decided to raise their fees. As some of them are not financially able to pay a group of ladies decide they need to raise money to help out.
Through their antics I cried and I laughed out loud, mainly due to realistic characters. The group managed to cross the great age divide.
A brilliant book covering a sad story.

[Selina Trafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful tale of friendship, hardship and massive life changes. I wouldnt have picked this book usually but thanks to tbc i obtained a copy. I was thrilled by the warmth of characters, the scrapes they got into and thier ingenious ways out. I laughed most of.the way through this book outloud much to my families annoyance and then cried towards the end. This book once finished leaves you feeling like you said goodbye to an old friend

[Sue Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Not my usual genre but was asked to read for an honest review. Set in the Scottish highlands in an elderly care home may put some people off but please give it a go. Lots of laughs and tears throughout as the story follows the ups and downs of the residents. This book will stay with me for a long time.

[Julie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started the book I really thought I wouldn't enjoy reading about pensioners living in a care home. I was so wrong. It was a delightful book and it made me both laugh and cry.

I was very sad to finish this book. I'd give it more than 5* if I could.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to TBC for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely story of love, friendship and loyalty set in an old people's home. A great read with both sadness and laughs.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing heartwarming book set in a residential home for the elderly that proves life doesn't stop at 60 . I laughed and cried with the characters and loved every one of them .

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fees are rising in a Scottish care home, and the elderly residents are unhappy. They organise a protest march – then find themselves outnumbered by an LGBT march (“and what is LGBT?” they wonder). They they barricade themselves inside a room in the home, which gains plenty of media attention. This raises some money, but the effects are short-lived. Three of the ladies decide to set up a naughty chat line for men who want to talk to older women. This does generate some income, but at the expense of their morals. These same women then decide to set up another chat line, this time providing grandmotherly advice, but without the income. Other stories happen on the side. A 100-year-old lady defies death, and induces her priest to celebrate by getting drunk with her. Two childhood friends, who became enemies when one slept with the wife of the other, resolve their enmity and become best friends again. One of them, Walter, has made friends with Julie, a prostitute, who was scammed by a practice known as grooming into joining the industry when she was young, and has no way out. The two come up against the moral police officer of the care home, Deirdre, and Julie is rescued by a Joyce, an obese greedy lady who turns out to have been a prostitute in her younger days. Julie finds a job working in another care home, while Joyce reunites with a son she has never been in contact with. Dorothy, a wise but innocent lady who has been dumped and abandoned by her son, makes contact with him again. Miss Ross, a prim headmistress, dies and leaves behind a journal, in which we find out that she was secretly in love with Dorothy.

There is plenty of other drama in this heartwarming novel, that demonstrates that the elderly, while not as fit physically or mentally as the young, can still have life in their years. They bumble around, making mistakes and misunderstanding many things in the world, and turn from being lonely and depressed to being lively and loving as they encounter all sorts of adventures.

Every character in this book is lovable, each in their own idiosyncratic way. Even the main villain, Deirdre, is just an old busybody – and don’t we know plenty of these? Each of the characters has their own life story that has contributed to the individual characteristics and personalities that they have. Each has his/her own personal battle to fight, and experiences joy, sadness, anger, despair, and peace. P.I. Paris does a brilliant job of weaving their stories together to create a cohesive and delightful novel that is hilarious and full of real emotion.

Reading this book made me wish that more care homes/nursing homes were this way. Unfortunately too many of them are rather sad, depressing places, where people live but there is little life. How do we inject life into these places? Is it just an ideal?

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huch! Ein überraschend abwechslungsreiches und gut wegzuhörendes Hörbuch ist das! Ich hatte erwartet, dass es ausschließlich lustig sein würde, auch ein wenig albern, aber es war sogar besser.

Es geht in der Geschichte um einige ältere Menschen, die in einem Pflegeheim leben. Dessen Preise ziehen plötzlich stark an und einige der Bewohnerinnen und Bewohner können sich die Kosten nicht mehr leisten. Da die meisten ganz gut befreundet sind, überlegen sie, was sie tun können. In der offiziellen Zusammenfassung wird verraten, dass sie eine Sex-Hotline starten.

Das ist aber nicht das einzige ihrer Abenteuer auf der Suche nach Einnahmequellen, zudem geschehen auch um diesen roten Faden herum weitere Dinge. Und die sind wir angedeutet nicht alle lustig: passend zum Ort des Geschehens wird beispielsweise auch gestorben, jedes Mal ein trauriger Moment. Lange hält die Niedergeschlagenheit aber nie an, denn dann finden die Alten sich plötzlich mitten in einer LGBTQ-Demo wieder oder feiern ihren Bestatter bei einer Modenschau.

Die Geschichte macht Mut, einmal etwas auszuprobieren, zeigt, dass sich auch im Alter Freunde finden lassen und dass Zusammenhalt wichtig ist.

Ein schönes Werk, auf das ich zufällig stieß, und das ich sehr gern gehört habe. Apropos: Obendrein ist es auch sehr gut vorgelesen.

[Lilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books capture us from the first page and we can not put it down. Such books should be read for making us feel good and alive and Casting Off is such an amazing book.
Well written it shows the life of old people in a home in Scotland's Highlands. Life still has its shares of joy, stress, sadness, sex, laughter and quirky characters. Friendship is even more important then when you were young for in old age nowadays, family is often far away and vey busy, and in this book friendship keeps sanity and life in tact.

A wonderful book you should read and enjoy

[Jedi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, quirky, feel good book. It’s funny, sad at times but always hopeful. Very enjoyable. Worth a read if you’re feeling bogged down by the world. I imagine hard for anyone to read who is scared of getting old and dying. It’s a bit real in that sense. Characters are very loveable. Also good to see a little bit of LGBTIQ Elderly mention here. It’s a bit token but good to see more representation.

[ollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so silly and enjoyable to read but also so heartwarming and emotional, i was so surprised when it made me cry at the end 😭 only 4 stars bc various things happened that seemed to just happen for the sake of it and was never mentioned or alluded to again, and sometimes the way the characters spoke felt very unnatural? idk. but i loved this regardless