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The Banksia House Breakout
When Ruth Morris is moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son Michael, she is eighty-one years young, mourning her loss of independence, and missing her best friend Gladys terribly.
So when she learns Gladys is dying a state over in Brisbane, Ruth is determined to say goodbye. Enlisting the help of her fellow residents, Ruth makes a daring departure from Banksia House alongside renowned escape-artist Keith, and her formidable new friend Beryl.
The journey from Sydney is far from straightforward, featuring grimy hotels, hitchhiking, and a mild case of grand theft. This unlikely trio finds themselves on the trip of a lifetime, where new connections blossom amidst the chaos. But the clock is ticking and Gladys awaits – will they make it across the border in time?
In this joyous and captivating read, debut author James Roxburgh delivers a heart-warming tale that will have you cheering for Ruth from beginning to end.
So when she learns Gladys is dying a state over in Brisbane, Ruth is determined to say goodbye. Enlisting the help of her fellow residents, Ruth makes a daring departure from Banksia House alongside renowned escape-artist Keith, and her formidable new friend Beryl.
The journey from Sydney is far from straightforward, featuring grimy hotels, hitchhiking, and a mild case of grand theft. This unlikely trio finds themselves on the trip of a lifetime, where new connections blossom amidst the chaos. But the clock is ticking and Gladys awaits – will they make it across the border in time?
In this joyous and captivating read, debut author James Roxburgh delivers a heart-warming tale that will have you cheering for Ruth from beginning to end.
315 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2021
32 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
James Roxburgh
4 books26 followersJames Roxburgh is an audiologist who specializes in the care of the elderly with hearing loss. He combines his passion for writing and the experiences he has shared with his patients to create heart-warming and captivating characters who defy the norms of ageing. James lives in Sydney with his wife and two daughters. The Banksia House Breakout is his debut commercial fiction novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
December 17, 2022
Michael knew what was best for his mother Ruth he put her house up for sale in Ryde Sydney advertised it as a renovators dream, he also had power of attorney of her money.
Now reluctantly Ruth had to move out of her house she shared with her husband Ray now deceased to Banksia House a nursing home she took a few belongings & much treasured photos of her & Ray.
While getting used to the new surroundings Ruth napped a little while she heard a noise someone rummaging in her draws tossing her clothes everywhere, she woke to find a male nurse stealing her husbands watch Glenn turned around & threatened Ruth as you would be scared she didn’t report it … who would believe her?
Next morning Becky a lovely young nurse came in to Ruth & asked if she wanted to meet a few nice ladies in the meal room she sat with Beryl & Jean who she made friends with quickly she told them what happened with Glenn, they weren’t surprised. Then Ruth got a call from her dearest friend Gladys who told her she was dying Ruth was upset to hear this about her friend she told her she would come up to Brisbane nursing home to see her before she passed.
Ruth rang Michael told him she needed to go to Brisbane & asked if she would take her he said no … doesn’t surprise me his job came first Ruth was beside herself told Beryl & Jean what had happened & the three concoct an escape plan even taking Glenn’s car Beryl & Ruth take Keith with them for the ride as he has escaped 12 times from Banksia House.
Then the fun starts firstly they make their way up the north Coast to places like Coffs Harbour, Yamba where they meet backpackers end up at a wedding so they wouldn’t go hungry the three had me in stitches of laughter the predicaments they get themselves into made me smile, thee is a serious side to this story also but will not say any more thee is also a romance between two characters this was a funny cute 🥰 story I would highly reccomend
Now reluctantly Ruth had to move out of her house she shared with her husband Ray now deceased to Banksia House a nursing home she took a few belongings & much treasured photos of her & Ray.
While getting used to the new surroundings Ruth napped a little while she heard a noise someone rummaging in her draws tossing her clothes everywhere, she woke to find a male nurse stealing her husbands watch Glenn turned around & threatened Ruth as you would be scared she didn’t report it … who would believe her?
Next morning Becky a lovely young nurse came in to Ruth & asked if she wanted to meet a few nice ladies in the meal room she sat with Beryl & Jean who she made friends with quickly she told them what happened with Glenn, they weren’t surprised. Then Ruth got a call from her dearest friend Gladys who told her she was dying Ruth was upset to hear this about her friend she told her she would come up to Brisbane nursing home to see her before she passed.
Ruth rang Michael told him she needed to go to Brisbane & asked if she would take her he said no … doesn’t surprise me his job came first Ruth was beside herself told Beryl & Jean what had happened & the three concoct an escape plan even taking Glenn’s car Beryl & Ruth take Keith with them for the ride as he has escaped 12 times from Banksia House.
Then the fun starts firstly they make their way up the north Coast to places like Coffs Harbour, Yamba where they meet backpackers end up at a wedding so they wouldn’t go hungry the three had me in stitches of laughter the predicaments they get themselves into made me smile, thee is a serious side to this story also but will not say any more thee is also a romance between two characters this was a funny cute 🥰 story I would highly reccomend
April 18, 2024
Michael sold his eighty one year old mother, Ruth Morris's home, the home she'd lived in with her beloved husband all their married life. Now Ray was gone, Michael was micro-managing Ruth, and moving her into a nursing home was his decision. Banksia House was a lovely place, and Ruth, although sad, soon made friends. Jean and Beryl kept her company during the day, but when Ruth heard her oldest and dearest friend, Gladys, was dying in Brisbane, she was determined to visit her one more time. But Michael was having none of it.
As Beryl and Ruth prepared for their escape, Jean provided the diversion. They "borrowed" a car and headed north, but with one extra passenger. Keith, a known escape artist, had come along for the ride, determined to do some fishing - his favourite past time - during their trip. And what a trip it was. All sorts of challenges confronted the trio, and they met some lovely people as well. But would they make it to Gladys in time?
The Banksia House Breakout is Aussie author James Roxburgh's debut novel and what a delightful journey it was. I loved Ruth's character, with Jean and Beryl following closely. And Keith was a card! Set in Sydney, and following the trip up the east coast of Australia, through Coffs Harbour, Yamba, Byron Bay and on to Brisbane, I felt I was there with them. Recommended.
As Beryl and Ruth prepared for their escape, Jean provided the diversion. They "borrowed" a car and headed north, but with one extra passenger. Keith, a known escape artist, had come along for the ride, determined to do some fishing - his favourite past time - during their trip. And what a trip it was. All sorts of challenges confronted the trio, and they met some lovely people as well. But would they make it to Gladys in time?
The Banksia House Breakout is Aussie author James Roxburgh's debut novel and what a delightful journey it was. I loved Ruth's character, with Jean and Beryl following closely. And Keith was a card! Set in Sydney, and following the trip up the east coast of Australia, through Coffs Harbour, Yamba, Byron Bay and on to Brisbane, I felt I was there with them. Recommended.
November 22, 2021
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
🌺I absolutely adored this heartwarming tale with the antics, humour and adventure of such joyful and engaging characters.
🌺The Banksia House Breakout by James Roxburgh highlights the importance of maintaining independence and dignity as we grow older and is the debut novel for author James Roxburgh.
🌺Join Ruth aged eighty one and her new friends Beryl and Keith as they make their escape from the Banksia House nursing home and travel interstate to visit Ruth’s best friend Gladys in Queensland who only has a few weeks left to live. Ruth needs to say goodbye to her lifelong friend and will do whatever it takes to reach her before it’s too late.
🌺The story is not necessarily all humour and fun, it also reflects on the sadness of elder abuse and bullying faced by some of the elderly residents. And then, sometimes even family can be cruel and controlling when they think you’re too old to be independent anymore.
Will the fugitives arrive at their destination safely and evade the police? Whatever in the world could go wrong on their adventurous road trip?
🌺A mischievous adventure and uplifting read, I can’t wait to see what James has in store for his next book, this was an outstanding debut.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book to read and review
🌺I absolutely adored this heartwarming tale with the antics, humour and adventure of such joyful and engaging characters.
🌺The Banksia House Breakout by James Roxburgh highlights the importance of maintaining independence and dignity as we grow older and is the debut novel for author James Roxburgh.
🌺Join Ruth aged eighty one and her new friends Beryl and Keith as they make their escape from the Banksia House nursing home and travel interstate to visit Ruth’s best friend Gladys in Queensland who only has a few weeks left to live. Ruth needs to say goodbye to her lifelong friend and will do whatever it takes to reach her before it’s too late.
🌺The story is not necessarily all humour and fun, it also reflects on the sadness of elder abuse and bullying faced by some of the elderly residents. And then, sometimes even family can be cruel and controlling when they think you’re too old to be independent anymore.
Will the fugitives arrive at their destination safely and evade the police? Whatever in the world could go wrong on their adventurous road trip?
🌺A mischievous adventure and uplifting read, I can’t wait to see what James has in store for his next book, this was an outstanding debut.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a copy of the book to read and review
September 17, 2021
The Banksia House Breakout is a refreshing debut about ageing, friendship and independence.
Ruth's son Michael has taken over her life assuming she is unable to care for herself after a fall. He sells the family home and drops Ruth at Banksia House, the nursing home he has chosen for her. Michael is much too busy to be worrying about his mother and at 81 she couldn't possibly be lucid enough to care for herself.
The story starts out quite ominous with Ruth's ill treatment by her son and a villainous careworker who makes life miserable for all the residents However once we get to meet some of the other residents, escape artist Keith and tech savvy Joan, the feeling of the story lightens.
Ruth is rather timid and she lets her son dominate her but she is making new friends in Banksia House and these women may be elderly but they haven't lost their sense of adventure.
When Michael tells Ruth he is much too busy to take her to Brisbane to visit her dying firend Gladys the women hatch a plan to steal a car and get Ruth there to see Gladys one last time. They would only be gone a few days, no one would notice.
So begins an hilarious road trip which involves plenty of hiccups and detours, an encounter with a bikie gang, backpackers, working odd jobs at a hostel and managing to evade police at the last minute.
James Roxburgh smashes stereotypes in this debut novel as Ruth, Beryl and Keith prove during their trip that they are anything but senile. They manage to work their way through many sticky situations whilst also handing out sage advise learnt through years of experience.
I also enjoyed Ruth's transformation. The more she did the more confident she became in her own abilities.
The Banksia House Breakout is a fun, heart-warming read. I found myself cheering for Ruth along the way and I couldn't read fast enough to find out if Ruth would make it to see Gladys on time.
If you enjoyed Joanna Nell's Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village you will love The Banksia House Breakout!
*I received a free copy to read and review
Ruth's son Michael has taken over her life assuming she is unable to care for herself after a fall. He sells the family home and drops Ruth at Banksia House, the nursing home he has chosen for her. Michael is much too busy to be worrying about his mother and at 81 she couldn't possibly be lucid enough to care for herself.
The story starts out quite ominous with Ruth's ill treatment by her son and a villainous careworker who makes life miserable for all the residents However once we get to meet some of the other residents, escape artist Keith and tech savvy Joan, the feeling of the story lightens.
Ruth is rather timid and she lets her son dominate her but she is making new friends in Banksia House and these women may be elderly but they haven't lost their sense of adventure.
When Michael tells Ruth he is much too busy to take her to Brisbane to visit her dying firend Gladys the women hatch a plan to steal a car and get Ruth there to see Gladys one last time. They would only be gone a few days, no one would notice.
So begins an hilarious road trip which involves plenty of hiccups and detours, an encounter with a bikie gang, backpackers, working odd jobs at a hostel and managing to evade police at the last minute.
James Roxburgh smashes stereotypes in this debut novel as Ruth, Beryl and Keith prove during their trip that they are anything but senile. They manage to work their way through many sticky situations whilst also handing out sage advise learnt through years of experience.
I also enjoyed Ruth's transformation. The more she did the more confident she became in her own abilities.
The Banksia House Breakout is a fun, heart-warming read. I found myself cheering for Ruth along the way and I couldn't read fast enough to find out if Ruth would make it to see Gladys on time.
If you enjoyed Joanna Nell's Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village you will love The Banksia House Breakout!
*I received a free copy to read and review
September 26, 2022
The Banksia House Breakout is the debut novel for audiologist and Australian author James Roxburgh. 81-year-old Ruth Morris has been unceremoniously dumped in a nursing home by her controlling, workaholic son Michael. Despite an awful altercation with a corrupt supposed caregiver, Ruth soon makes new friends with Beryl and the tech-savvy Jean. After her son refuses to allow her to go to Brisbane to visit her dying friend Gladys, Ruth feels she has no other option than to escape Banksia House. Beryl comes along to scatter her late husband’s ashes and resident escapee Keith takes the opportunity if it means he might get to go fishing. The three octogenarians steal a car, and make their way to Queensland, dodging police, meeting a biker gang, going surfing and attending a wedding along the way.
This is a sweet story, of the elderly rebirth genre that is popular now. I enjoyed it as a pleasant, feel-good read with some important points to make about maintaining dignity in later life.
This is a sweet story, of the elderly rebirth genre that is popular now. I enjoyed it as a pleasant, feel-good read with some important points to make about maintaining dignity in later life.
October 2, 2021
What an exciting fabulous debut, this one had me turning the pages as fast as I could without missing a word but not wanting it end I wanted to spend so much more time with these awesome people that James Roxburgh has bought to life, this is a great story one that I do hope you pick up it is well worth reading.
Ruth Morris might be eighty one but she can still fend for herself except that her son Michael decides she can’t anymore after a small fall, she has lost her beloved husband Ray and is missing her best friend Gladys, when Michael makes her sell her house sign the control of her life and money over to him and move into aged care. Ruth is devastated at losing her independence.
Within days she has made friends at the home and has also found out her friend Gladys is dying who is living in Brisbane and she desperately wants to see her before it is too late and say goodbye. When Michael refuses to help her she gets help from Jean and Beryl her new friends, then Beryl, Ruth and Keith the escape artist at the home ends up on a journey from Sydney to Brisbane that is fraught with problems and lots of ups and downs not to mention the police, but there are so many laughs and smiles along the way.
I loved seeing Ruth go from strength to strength on this journey, along with getting to know Beryl so well and what her life was like and then Keith who opened up so much on this trip as well, he became such a different person, the people they meet along the way, backpackers and surfers and the wedding couple added to the story so much the things they did and all of the fun they had, had me cheering them on, but no matter what happened they never gave up on getting to Brisbane. I loved seeing romance bloom, I was smiling very much.
This is a beautifully written story that has lots of emotions, it is heart-warming and so much fun, yes there were tears but it shows that just because you are older it doesn’t mean you can’t be independent and have fun. I loved this story and I do highly recommend it, huge congratulations James Roxburgh on a brilliant debut.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review
Ruth Morris might be eighty one but she can still fend for herself except that her son Michael decides she can’t anymore after a small fall, she has lost her beloved husband Ray and is missing her best friend Gladys, when Michael makes her sell her house sign the control of her life and money over to him and move into aged care. Ruth is devastated at losing her independence.
Within days she has made friends at the home and has also found out her friend Gladys is dying who is living in Brisbane and she desperately wants to see her before it is too late and say goodbye. When Michael refuses to help her she gets help from Jean and Beryl her new friends, then Beryl, Ruth and Keith the escape artist at the home ends up on a journey from Sydney to Brisbane that is fraught with problems and lots of ups and downs not to mention the police, but there are so many laughs and smiles along the way.
I loved seeing Ruth go from strength to strength on this journey, along with getting to know Beryl so well and what her life was like and then Keith who opened up so much on this trip as well, he became such a different person, the people they meet along the way, backpackers and surfers and the wedding couple added to the story so much the things they did and all of the fun they had, had me cheering them on, but no matter what happened they never gave up on getting to Brisbane. I loved seeing romance bloom, I was smiling very much.
This is a beautifully written story that has lots of emotions, it is heart-warming and so much fun, yes there were tears but it shows that just because you are older it doesn’t mean you can’t be independent and have fun. I loved this story and I do highly recommend it, huge congratulations James Roxburgh on a brilliant debut.
My thanks to the author for my copy to read and review
September 16, 2021
It would be impossible to read The Banksia House Breakout without finding your heart warmed and your funny bone tickled. It’s a fun-filled adventure that showcases the very best of the kindness of strangers and highlights the importance of respect and independence. A sweet all-ages read that will have you cheering on a rag-tag group of fugitive octogenarians.
My full review of The Banksia House Breakout appeared first on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of The Banksia House Breakout appeared first on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
April 10, 2024
Jauks, sirsnīgs un brīžiem smieklīgs stāsts par pensionāriem, kuri izbēg no veco ļaužu pansionāta - tieši manā gaumē. Nekad nav par vēlu izkāpt no komforta zonas un sevī atklāt jaunas personības šķautnes.
Galvenajiem varoņiem varbūt 12 stundu brauciena pārvēršanās par vairāk kā nedēļu ilgu ceļojumu bija apgrūtinoša, bet es jo sevišķi priecājos, jo Austrālijas fons vienmēr manās acīs ir bonuss (ja pagaidām nav sanācis tur pabūt, tad vismaz šādi).
Autorei izdevies visnelietīgākais nelietis, kāds pēdējā laikā lasīts (Maikls) - pat neatceros kad tik ļoti būtu uz kādu grāmatas varoni tieši dusmojusies (kaitinājuši ir daudzi, bet dusmoties ir jau nākamais līmenis), nu tā ka tiešām gribējās viņu iekaustīt ar sūdainu koku. Droši vien tāpēc, ka tas bija ļoti izdevies ļoti ticams un reāls, uz sevi koncentrēts narcistisks egoists, kurš jau sen savu māti norakstījis kā nepilnvērtīgu cilvēku, kura eksistence viņu apgrūtina.
Viegli, ar humoru un pat vieglu romantisku noti, bet ar domu (par novecošanu un par sabiedrības attieksmi pret vecumu) - nu kā tas var nepatikt!
Galvenajiem varoņiem varbūt 12 stundu brauciena pārvēršanās par vairāk kā nedēļu ilgu ceļojumu bija apgrūtinoša, bet es jo sevišķi priecājos, jo Austrālijas fons vienmēr manās acīs ir bonuss (ja pagaidām nav sanācis tur pabūt, tad vismaz šādi).
Autorei izdevies visnelietīgākais nelietis, kāds pēdējā laikā lasīts (Maikls) - pat neatceros kad tik ļoti būtu uz kādu grāmatas varoni tieši dusmojusies (kaitinājuši ir daudzi, bet dusmoties ir jau nākamais līmenis), nu tā ka tiešām gribējās viņu iekaustīt ar sūdainu koku. Droši vien tāpēc, ka tas bija ļoti izdevies ļoti ticams un reāls, uz sevi koncentrēts narcistisks egoists, kurš jau sen savu māti norakstījis kā nepilnvērtīgu cilvēku, kura eksistence viņu apgrūtina.
Viegli, ar humoru un pat vieglu romantisku noti, bet ar domu (par novecošanu un par sabiedrības attieksmi pret vecumu) - nu kā tas var nepatikt!
December 12, 2021
What a fabulous read and what a hoot, laugh out loud at these seniors from the Banksia House aged care facility.
At first the reader may think that this is going to be another one where a box of tissues will be needed. But no! as the story emerges it's just the opposite.
Ruth is being railroaded by her son Michael, what a pain, he has taken over all of her finances (sorry Ruth have you never been warned to never never do this?) Without as much as a second thought he has sold the home she has lived in for all her married life, husband Ray now gone and her best friend Gladys moved to Brisbane to be close to her daughter it seems she has no other option. He drives like a maniac to Banksia House, telling Ruth that it's her fault for loitering at their old home, Ruth saying goodbye to all her memories of living there, he'll be late for work even if it's the weekend. Michael well; he lives to work not works to live which is why he has a busted marriage.
Ruth arrives at the aged care facility with the bare minimum of personal items and memorabilia into the room, just like a hotel room and the bathroom, oh! the aroma of disinfectant, Ruth knows, this will have to change. Tea and biscuits are brought to her (one would guess those in cellophane packets of two) and later dinner for which Ruth wishes she had taken more biscuits, meat swamped in gravy with pureed potato (actually, my experience as a visitor to many a facility of like, it's dehydrated potato, once popular in the 70's).
Despondent, Ruth wonders if she will ever get used to living at this place. A knock at the door and she is introduced to her next room neighbour, Mary who shuffles in on her walker. Mary invites her to have breakfast with two other friends Beryl and Jean, who is a whizz with online shopping. However things don't quite work out as planned, but even late for breakfast she is introduced to these two ladies who at one point stop and stare at one of the male nursing staff, Glenn, for which Ruth is warned never to be alone with him. They explain to Ruth that this is why they have breakfast so early to avoid Glenn's morning room visits.
Bus trip day Beryl and Jean point out the Houdini of Banksia House, Keith, regular escape artist. Amazed Ruth queries the fact that the doors are coded, her new friends laugh, well he knows the code and as they haven't changed it in years just about everyone knows it. Keith loves to fish, the ladies explain, so when he gets the urge he's off.
As much as Ruth is beginning to settle into Banksia House courtesy of her new friends, her long time friend Gladys is constantly on her mind. She had told Gladys that she would visit her in Brisbane but so far the opportunity hadn't arisen. Michael could take her but it seems he's never available. She phones Gladys and discovers that her friend has been diagnosed with a recurring illness and is failing. Ruth fears that she won't be able to keep her promise before her friend passes.
Confiding in her new friends one day, a plan is hatched and here is where the real fun starts, Beryl will be able to fulfill her dead husband's wish, Ruth will be able to fulfill her promise to Gladys and as for Keith he invites himself along for the ride and at times with his ingenuity just as well he does.
At first the reader may think that this is going to be another one where a box of tissues will be needed. But no! as the story emerges it's just the opposite.
Ruth is being railroaded by her son Michael, what a pain, he has taken over all of her finances (sorry Ruth have you never been warned to never never do this?) Without as much as a second thought he has sold the home she has lived in for all her married life, husband Ray now gone and her best friend Gladys moved to Brisbane to be close to her daughter it seems she has no other option. He drives like a maniac to Banksia House, telling Ruth that it's her fault for loitering at their old home, Ruth saying goodbye to all her memories of living there, he'll be late for work even if it's the weekend. Michael well; he lives to work not works to live which is why he has a busted marriage.
Ruth arrives at the aged care facility with the bare minimum of personal items and memorabilia into the room, just like a hotel room and the bathroom, oh! the aroma of disinfectant, Ruth knows, this will have to change. Tea and biscuits are brought to her (one would guess those in cellophane packets of two) and later dinner for which Ruth wishes she had taken more biscuits, meat swamped in gravy with pureed potato (actually, my experience as a visitor to many a facility of like, it's dehydrated potato, once popular in the 70's).
Despondent, Ruth wonders if she will ever get used to living at this place. A knock at the door and she is introduced to her next room neighbour, Mary who shuffles in on her walker. Mary invites her to have breakfast with two other friends Beryl and Jean, who is a whizz with online shopping. However things don't quite work out as planned, but even late for breakfast she is introduced to these two ladies who at one point stop and stare at one of the male nursing staff, Glenn, for which Ruth is warned never to be alone with him. They explain to Ruth that this is why they have breakfast so early to avoid Glenn's morning room visits.
Bus trip day Beryl and Jean point out the Houdini of Banksia House, Keith, regular escape artist. Amazed Ruth queries the fact that the doors are coded, her new friends laugh, well he knows the code and as they haven't changed it in years just about everyone knows it. Keith loves to fish, the ladies explain, so when he gets the urge he's off.
As much as Ruth is beginning to settle into Banksia House courtesy of her new friends, her long time friend Gladys is constantly on her mind. She had told Gladys that she would visit her in Brisbane but so far the opportunity hadn't arisen. Michael could take her but it seems he's never available. She phones Gladys and discovers that her friend has been diagnosed with a recurring illness and is failing. Ruth fears that she won't be able to keep her promise before her friend passes.
Confiding in her new friends one day, a plan is hatched and here is where the real fun starts, Beryl will be able to fulfill her dead husband's wish, Ruth will be able to fulfill her promise to Gladys and as for Keith he invites himself along for the ride and at times with his ingenuity just as well he does.
September 11, 2021
What a fun adventure I have just been on with Ruth, Beryl and Keith. Who knew 3 over 80's could be so resourceful to get themselves from Sydney to Brisbane. A lovely read, so enjoyable and entertaining.
Ruth Morris has just been moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son. When she hears that her best friend of many years Gladys is dying she knows she need to get to Brisbane to say goodbye. She concocts a plan with her new friends to get her across the border to her friend with hilarious outcomes. If it can go wrong it does go wrong for these friends, but they will never give up. I really hoped that they would make it in time. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. A lovely read from James Roxburgh, a debut that I hope will do great things.
Thank you James for sending me your book to read.
Ruth Morris has just been moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son. When she hears that her best friend of many years Gladys is dying she knows she need to get to Brisbane to say goodbye. She concocts a plan with her new friends to get her across the border to her friend with hilarious outcomes. If it can go wrong it does go wrong for these friends, but they will never give up. I really hoped that they would make it in time. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. A lovely read from James Roxburgh, a debut that I hope will do great things.
Thank you James for sending me your book to read.
January 2, 2022
The Banksia House Breakout by Aussie author James Roxburgh is a debut novel and what a fabulous book it was. Ruth Morris is eighty-one years young a character that I warmed to straight away as I
A heartwarming story that takes the reader on a wonderful journey, one which I didn’t want to end. Highly recommended.
A heartwarming story that takes the reader on a wonderful journey, one which I didn’t want to end. Highly recommended.
November 25, 2023
The Banksia House Breakout is an attempt at a feel-good dramedy which follows the recent trend in fiction of casting seniors as the heroes. It was available as the free book of the month recently from the Audible Australia catalogue, and I picked it to listen to while gardening as I fancied something light and knew it wouldn’t be to my husband’s taste. The story was okay, but the audiobook was let down by absolutely horrible narration by Kerry Armstrong - note to self to avoid anything read by her in future.
After the death of her husband, 80-something Ruth Morris has had her house sold and been moved into a Sydney Rest Home by her impatient workaholic son Michael. Unsettled and lonely, she is dismayed to hear that her best friend Gladys is dying of cancer in Brisbane. Desperate to visit her one last time, and with access to her money controlled by Michael, she is talked into a madcap unsanctioned Road Trip in a stolen car by her new friend Beryl. Joined by serial escaper Keith, the threesome endure a series of mishaps and meet a range of unlikely new friends while cannily evading the police and the increasingly irate Michael - but will they make it to Gladys in time to say Goodbye?
For non-Australians, the drive between Sydney and Brisbane is about twelve hours of monotonous inland motorway through ugly barren bush, with a few nice but boring if it’s not sunny coastal towns in between. You expect a route called the Pacific Highway to feature stunning scenery like America’s West Coast, but don’t be fooled, as we were years ago. This has no relevance to the plot of here but is just a warning to anyone inspired to emulate Ruth by this book, unless you love surfing of course.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this more as an ebook, although I was mildly infuriated by the main female characters - both Ruth and Becky are pathetic and have to be forced out of their submissive dependence on the men in their lives. The male characters are a fairly accurate representation of Aussie men - selfish, boorish, domineering, and manipulative - even Keith the (mild spoiler alert) love interest is awful - but the message is that if that’s what’s on offer, you take it. (There’s a reason I married a Kiwi.) The plot raises some thought-provoking issues - elder abuse in care homes, financial exploitation by descendants, misdiagnosis of dementia, the trauma associated with the loss of Independence, and the way seniors are ignored in commercial settings. There were some mildly humorous moments - if you find people dropping their false teeth in the toilet then reinserting them, funny that is.
The narrator has a breathless delivery that in no way reflects how anyone speaks in real life, with unnatural pauses in the middle of sentences. The baddies have harsh growly voices like cartoon villains and the women all sound like invalids. There’s also an insistence on using the word “telephone” instead of “phone” to show how old-fashioned Ruth is - but all the other characters use it too, and she’s 81, not 101!! A tiny thing but irritating when you notice it. The book has mostly 4 and 5-star reviews so clearly most people enjoyed it more than I did. For me it was 3 stars for the story and 2 for the narration, rounding up because I’m feeling generous, but I won’t be in a rush to read any more from this author.
After the death of her husband, 80-something Ruth Morris has had her house sold and been moved into a Sydney Rest Home by her impatient workaholic son Michael. Unsettled and lonely, she is dismayed to hear that her best friend Gladys is dying of cancer in Brisbane. Desperate to visit her one last time, and with access to her money controlled by Michael, she is talked into a madcap unsanctioned Road Trip in a stolen car by her new friend Beryl. Joined by serial escaper Keith, the threesome endure a series of mishaps and meet a range of unlikely new friends while cannily evading the police and the increasingly irate Michael - but will they make it to Gladys in time to say Goodbye?
For non-Australians, the drive between Sydney and Brisbane is about twelve hours of monotonous inland motorway through ugly barren bush, with a few nice but boring if it’s not sunny coastal towns in between. You expect a route called the Pacific Highway to feature stunning scenery like America’s West Coast, but don’t be fooled, as we were years ago. This has no relevance to the plot of here but is just a warning to anyone inspired to emulate Ruth by this book, unless you love surfing of course.
I think I would’ve enjoyed this more as an ebook, although I was mildly infuriated by the main female characters - both Ruth and Becky are pathetic and have to be forced out of their submissive dependence on the men in their lives. The male characters are a fairly accurate representation of Aussie men - selfish, boorish, domineering, and manipulative - even Keith the (mild spoiler alert) love interest is awful - but the message is that if that’s what’s on offer, you take it. (There’s a reason I married a Kiwi.) The plot raises some thought-provoking issues - elder abuse in care homes, financial exploitation by descendants, misdiagnosis of dementia, the trauma associated with the loss of Independence, and the way seniors are ignored in commercial settings. There were some mildly humorous moments - if you find people dropping their false teeth in the toilet then reinserting them, funny that is.
The narrator has a breathless delivery that in no way reflects how anyone speaks in real life, with unnatural pauses in the middle of sentences. The baddies have harsh growly voices like cartoon villains and the women all sound like invalids. There’s also an insistence on using the word “telephone” instead of “phone” to show how old-fashioned Ruth is - but all the other characters use it too, and she’s 81, not 101!! A tiny thing but irritating when you notice it. The book has mostly 4 and 5-star reviews so clearly most people enjoyed it more than I did. For me it was 3 stars for the story and 2 for the narration, rounding up because I’m feeling generous, but I won’t be in a rush to read any more from this author.
October 9, 2023
Not something I would normally read, but super super fun and super cute.
August 20, 2021
Thank you James for sending us a copy to read and review.
Refreshing and reflective and a whole lot of fun best describes my experience with The Banksia House Breakout.
A cast of older characters leading the charge and a few younger ones with despicable traits add a nice balance and provide real entertainment throughout the whole book.
Ruth is coerced into selling her lifelong family home and placed into a nursing home by her son.
With no care or consideration he leaves her in her new room and rushed back to his job.
Meeting her neighbour gives her glimmer of optimism until the realities of a nursing home unnerve her.
An underhanded and narcissistic male nurse who is renowned for illicit and sleazy behaviour adds to Ruth’s fear and anxiety.
Thankfully she finds herself a group of friends that offer her the friendship and support she needs.
Discovering her dearest friend has only weeks to live, Ruth has to get from Sydney to Brisbane to say her farewells.
An obstinate refusal by her son to take her there inspires a plan to travel north.
Escaping the home the adventures begin.
Inspiring a new lease of life and that anything is possible.
Such a trip only possible with the kindness of strangers.
Will Ruth make it in time or at all to say her farewells?
A debut novel that has a wow factor and a huge reality check as it portrays the destiny and harsh truth about life in our twilight years.
A very balanced representation of life in a nursing homes adds authentication.
On a nostalgic note I’ve loved seeing the the word ‘duffer’ like the book itself it put a smile on my face.
I will never tire of stories featuring our older characters.
An awesome debut for this talented author.
Refreshing and reflective and a whole lot of fun best describes my experience with The Banksia House Breakout.
A cast of older characters leading the charge and a few younger ones with despicable traits add a nice balance and provide real entertainment throughout the whole book.
Ruth is coerced into selling her lifelong family home and placed into a nursing home by her son.
With no care or consideration he leaves her in her new room and rushed back to his job.
Meeting her neighbour gives her glimmer of optimism until the realities of a nursing home unnerve her.
An underhanded and narcissistic male nurse who is renowned for illicit and sleazy behaviour adds to Ruth’s fear and anxiety.
Thankfully she finds herself a group of friends that offer her the friendship and support she needs.
Discovering her dearest friend has only weeks to live, Ruth has to get from Sydney to Brisbane to say her farewells.
An obstinate refusal by her son to take her there inspires a plan to travel north.
Escaping the home the adventures begin.
Inspiring a new lease of life and that anything is possible.
Such a trip only possible with the kindness of strangers.
Will Ruth make it in time or at all to say her farewells?
A debut novel that has a wow factor and a huge reality check as it portrays the destiny and harsh truth about life in our twilight years.
A very balanced representation of life in a nursing homes adds authentication.
On a nostalgic note I’ve loved seeing the the word ‘duffer’ like the book itself it put a smile on my face.
I will never tire of stories featuring our older characters.
An awesome debut for this talented author.
November 23, 2021
A Charming book with resolute characters that grab hold of you and don’t let go . I was definitely right there with them. Loved this one
.
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April 23, 2024
The Banksia House Breakout was a such a fun story. I listened to the audio version and the performance was wonderful. We followed Ruth, Beryl and Keith as they broke out of the nursing home with a quest to scatter Beryl's husbands ashes in Coffs Harbour and visit Ruth's dying friend in Brisbane. I loved the interactions between these three. They had many different adventures along their way. Depth is added to the story as there are also dramas happening back at Banksia House, and we follow these with Jean, the resident who helped Ruth and Beryl escape, and nurse Becky. Overall it was an entertaining road-trip story.
September 8, 2021
Ruth Morris is being moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son. She is 81 and has lost her husband and now her independence. So when she hears that her best friend Gladys is dying, a state over in Brisbane, she knows it's time for a trip 🚘She enlists the help of her fellow residents and her new best friend. The journey from Sydney is an interesting one, with hotels, hitchhiking and some mild grand theft.
As I watched the hilarious adventure unfold I crossed my fingers the whole way that she made it in time to see Gladys. As the synopsis promises, this was a joyous and heart-warming novel. While there were some serious topics canvassed in this one and a few unlikeable characters, it was such an enjoyable debut. I love a book that leaves you feeling full of hope, just like this one did.
Thanks so much to the author for the gifted copy.
As I watched the hilarious adventure unfold I crossed my fingers the whole way that she made it in time to see Gladys. As the synopsis promises, this was a joyous and heart-warming novel. While there were some serious topics canvassed in this one and a few unlikeable characters, it was such an enjoyable debut. I love a book that leaves you feeling full of hope, just like this one did.
Thanks so much to the author for the gifted copy.
August 20, 2021
I have just turned the final page on a wonderful debut novel, about to hit bookshelves on September 15th.
The Banksia House Breakout by James Roxburgh made me laugh and it made me cry, and frequently tugged on my heart strings. More than once it left my blood boiling!
James has assembled a truly endearing cast of characters and wrapped them up in an enchanting story I didn’t want to end.
This is the perfect book to lose yourself within during these troubling times we find ourselves in.
Thank you James for trusting me with an ARC of your fabulous debut novel.
The Banksia House Breakout by James Roxburgh made me laugh and it made me cry, and frequently tugged on my heart strings. More than once it left my blood boiling!
James has assembled a truly endearing cast of characters and wrapped them up in an enchanting story I didn’t want to end.
This is the perfect book to lose yourself within during these troubling times we find ourselves in.
Thank you James for trusting me with an ARC of your fabulous debut novel.
September 9, 2021
Thankyou James for sending me this delightful book to read and review!
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜𝚒𝚊 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚞𝚝 focuses on Ruth, an eighty one year young woman that's going through a lot of changes. Not only has she lost her husband and home, now she has to move into a nursing home at her son's instance! For Ruth, she struggles at first settling in. Not only a new friend passed away on the very first day, she also has to put up with the creepy male nurse Glenn, who tends to steal from the residents.
It's not long until Ruth recieves terrible news. Gladys, her best friend has terminal cancer. Determined to see her one last time, Ruth contacts her son Michael to take her to Brisbane. Now, Michael is a total workaholic and absolutely shows signs of elder abuse to his mother! Needless to say, he refuses his mother's request.
Thanks to her new friends, Jean and Beryl, a plan is hatched. To break out of the nursing home! As Jean causes a distraction, Ruth and Beryl steal nurse Glenn's car- taking another resident Keith along for the ride!
These quirky oldies embark on a wonderful adventure as they travel north. From assisting a young couple to meeting bikies, and attending a wedding to surfing, not only are they fleeing the law, but also living life to the fullest! Of course there's issues in their way, but Ruth, Beryl and Keith take it in their stride!
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜𝚒𝚊 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚞𝚝 is out on September 15. Please add it to your TBR list!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜𝚒𝚊 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚞𝚝 focuses on Ruth, an eighty one year young woman that's going through a lot of changes. Not only has she lost her husband and home, now she has to move into a nursing home at her son's instance! For Ruth, she struggles at first settling in. Not only a new friend passed away on the very first day, she also has to put up with the creepy male nurse Glenn, who tends to steal from the residents.
It's not long until Ruth recieves terrible news. Gladys, her best friend has terminal cancer. Determined to see her one last time, Ruth contacts her son Michael to take her to Brisbane. Now, Michael is a total workaholic and absolutely shows signs of elder abuse to his mother! Needless to say, he refuses his mother's request.
Thanks to her new friends, Jean and Beryl, a plan is hatched. To break out of the nursing home! As Jean causes a distraction, Ruth and Beryl steal nurse Glenn's car- taking another resident Keith along for the ride!
These quirky oldies embark on a wonderful adventure as they travel north. From assisting a young couple to meeting bikies, and attending a wedding to surfing, not only are they fleeing the law, but also living life to the fullest! Of course there's issues in their way, but Ruth, Beryl and Keith take it in their stride!
𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚜𝚒𝚊 𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚘𝚞𝚝 is out on September 15. Please add it to your TBR list!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
September 11, 2021
James Roxburgh you have written an absolute heartwarming masterpiece! I don't think I have the words to bring justice to my thoughts on this book, but I will give it a crack.
It has been a little while since I sat and read a book as quickly as I did this one, it is an absolute MUST read for everyone. I can see it being the next book everyone is talking about.
Not a single page of this book dragged, and yet it covered so many topics seemlessly and beautifully. I felt an entire range of emotions through the book. Anger, fear, sadness and laughter. I was caught a few times by my partner "grinning like a weirdo" while reading.
Right from the start I could feel such tension within myself at how Michael was treating his mother, Ruth. James wrote this so well that you could feel the simmering frustration under Michaels words and my heart hurt at how Ruth must be feeling. Her husband passing, house selling. And the treatment she is recieving from her son.
When Ruth arrives at Banksia house, a whole colourful range of topics come up, some horrific - (Glenn, I am looking at you, ya bastard) and the beautiful friendships between the women there.
Their escape and adventure was so fun to read, I felt like I was tagging along! I absolutely adored Beckys sidestory and how it melded in with the Banksia House ladies.
Thank you so much to James Roxburgh for sending me a copy of his fantastic debut in exchange for review. I will definitely be recommending this 🥰
It has been a little while since I sat and read a book as quickly as I did this one, it is an absolute MUST read for everyone. I can see it being the next book everyone is talking about.
Not a single page of this book dragged, and yet it covered so many topics seemlessly and beautifully. I felt an entire range of emotions through the book. Anger, fear, sadness and laughter. I was caught a few times by my partner "grinning like a weirdo" while reading.
Right from the start I could feel such tension within myself at how Michael was treating his mother, Ruth. James wrote this so well that you could feel the simmering frustration under Michaels words and my heart hurt at how Ruth must be feeling. Her husband passing, house selling. And the treatment she is recieving from her son.
When Ruth arrives at Banksia house, a whole colourful range of topics come up, some horrific - (Glenn, I am looking at you, ya bastard) and the beautiful friendships between the women there.
Their escape and adventure was so fun to read, I felt like I was tagging along! I absolutely adored Beckys sidestory and how it melded in with the Banksia House ladies.
Thank you so much to James Roxburgh for sending me a copy of his fantastic debut in exchange for review. I will definitely be recommending this 🥰
February 7, 2024
Favourite book in a while. I listened to this on audible and the narration was perfect. All the characters were played so well. A very easy book to come in and out of. I loved the references to Australian towns - like Tamworth, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour etc. Just such a beautifully written narrative.
September 15, 2021
"There’s nothing wrong with a bit of change, is there?"
Ruth gets shipped off to Banksia house after her son Michael sell her house from underneath her and takes control of her finances. Poor Ruth lost her husband and has now lost what little bits she had left of him. To top of off her best friend Gladys isn’t very well and being a state away it’s no easy takes to get up to her and say goodbye.
After settling into the retirement home Ruth makes some friend and they decide to plan her big escape and trip to Brissy from Sydney. Joined by Keith the Houdini and Beryl they set off on their road trip. They journey isn’t easy and they have to stay one stop ahead of their families or risk getting caught.
But the clock is ticking and see needs to make it in time to say farewell to Gladdy’s. Ruth will stop at nothing to get there even if it means, doing a runner, hitchhiking, a stolen car, surfing and a wedding!
Ruth was a bad ass grandma! I absolutely loved her little adventure all in the name of friendship. I loved the good characters and I despised Glenn and Michael. A heart warming tale that makes you want to cherish the elderly people in your life. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it on a lazy Sunday in bed or in the bath!
Ruth gets shipped off to Banksia house after her son Michael sell her house from underneath her and takes control of her finances. Poor Ruth lost her husband and has now lost what little bits she had left of him. To top of off her best friend Gladys isn’t very well and being a state away it’s no easy takes to get up to her and say goodbye.
After settling into the retirement home Ruth makes some friend and they decide to plan her big escape and trip to Brissy from Sydney. Joined by Keith the Houdini and Beryl they set off on their road trip. They journey isn’t easy and they have to stay one stop ahead of their families or risk getting caught.
But the clock is ticking and see needs to make it in time to say farewell to Gladdy’s. Ruth will stop at nothing to get there even if it means, doing a runner, hitchhiking, a stolen car, surfing and a wedding!
Ruth was a bad ass grandma! I absolutely loved her little adventure all in the name of friendship. I loved the good characters and I despised Glenn and Michael. A heart warming tale that makes you want to cherish the elderly people in your life. I really enjoyed this book and recommend reading it on a lazy Sunday in bed or in the bath!
June 10, 2024
This was such a fun listen! You can’t help but love these characters and all of the adventures and antics they get into. I did especially love this being set in Australia and the journey from Sydney to Brisbane. The narrator for this was excellent and so enjoyable to listen to, especially with her skill of the range of different voices for the audiobook. Would happily listen to more antics from Banksia House, this was such a delight. An easy 5 stars! ⭐️
July 9, 2022
Absolutely loved this!!
We meet Ruth as her Sydney home is being sold out from under her by her workaholic son Michael and she's dumped in a retirement home. When she finds out her lifelong friend Gladys is dying in Brisbane and Michael won't take her to say goodbye, she enlists the help of her new friends at Banksia House to escape and go on a madcap roadtrip up the country to see her beloved friend before it's too late.
I actually loved this so much more than I was expecting to! The depiction of life in the retirement home was an eye opening glimpse of what it would be like to live a long life as a grown ass adult and then slowly start losing your independence and ability to make your own choices. But although the beginning was a bit sad, the journey of the novel as a whole is a life-affirming, empowering warm hug of a story.
It's extremely rare to find a story in which the majority of the main characters and perspectives are elderly people - fully rounded, *real* elderly people rather than a caricature. The older you get, the more you realise that one day YOU will be the old person and you will still actually be yourself - a person with loves and hates, hopes and dreams, memories and experiences, just like you are now. I really loved the way this story highlighted the struggles of ageing while also feeling like a celebration of life.
The roadtrip makes up the bulk of the story and it's as convoluted and slightly ridiculous as you'd imagine, which is absolutely the fun of it. I think this would make a really great movie.
I suspected this would be a bittersweet type story but in fact the overall feeling was absolutely of a wonderful, feel-good comfort read. I've already recommended it to a patron at my library and suggested we buy a copy for the collection. Thoroughly enjoyed.
We meet Ruth as her Sydney home is being sold out from under her by her workaholic son Michael and she's dumped in a retirement home. When she finds out her lifelong friend Gladys is dying in Brisbane and Michael won't take her to say goodbye, she enlists the help of her new friends at Banksia House to escape and go on a madcap roadtrip up the country to see her beloved friend before it's too late.
I actually loved this so much more than I was expecting to! The depiction of life in the retirement home was an eye opening glimpse of what it would be like to live a long life as a grown ass adult and then slowly start losing your independence and ability to make your own choices. But although the beginning was a bit sad, the journey of the novel as a whole is a life-affirming, empowering warm hug of a story.
It's extremely rare to find a story in which the majority of the main characters and perspectives are elderly people - fully rounded, *real* elderly people rather than a caricature. The older you get, the more you realise that one day YOU will be the old person and you will still actually be yourself - a person with loves and hates, hopes and dreams, memories and experiences, just like you are now. I really loved the way this story highlighted the struggles of ageing while also feeling like a celebration of life.
The roadtrip makes up the bulk of the story and it's as convoluted and slightly ridiculous as you'd imagine, which is absolutely the fun of it. I think this would make a really great movie.
I suspected this would be a bittersweet type story but in fact the overall feeling was absolutely of a wonderful, feel-good comfort read. I've already recommended it to a patron at my library and suggested we buy a copy for the collection. Thoroughly enjoyed.
December 30, 2021
Ruth Morris' son is an arsehole. Since her husband died a few years ago Michael has taken control of his mother's finances. After having a fall recently, he has dumped her in a nursing home. And now her best friend Gladys has weeks to live but he won't take one day off work to travel with his mother to help her say goodbye. There is only one solution and that is to escape. What follows is a hilarious journey with ups and downs but one you definitely won't want to miss.
I loved this light hearted and easy to read book. Although predictable at times, I enjoyed the adventure. A warm and sweet debut that is well worth your time.
I loved this light hearted and easy to read book. Although predictable at times, I enjoyed the adventure. A warm and sweet debut that is well worth your time.
February 7, 2024
Why did I even bother finishing this book? I really disliked almost every character. Why were the 'loveable' main characters so rude, selfish and/or judgemental (don't even get me started on Michael)? Why did they make so many dumb decisions? What was the point of including Glenn? It added absolutely nothing to the overall story. To be honest it was just infuriating and really disappointing all round.
August 8, 2022
Entertaining and clever. Definite movie material!!
November 30, 2021
The Banksia House Breakout follows the story of Ruth Morris who suddenly finds herself being moved into the age care facility, Banksia House. She is told this is the best place for her by her over working son Michael, who she trusts with such decisions. While struggling to adjust to her new life Ruth get’s news that her best friend Gladys is dying a state over and is determined to get there and say goodbye. With Michael refusing to help she takes things into her own hands and ends up on a trip of a life time with two fellow Banksia House residents in tow.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book based in Australia it’s always a different experience reading about places you have actually been. So I was excited before even opening the first page for the adventure I knew I would be going on with Ruth but I was not prepared for the actual amount of highs and lows that were about to come. This book was chockablock full of action and never left us with a dull moment, I was forever having to start a new chapter after being left with a shock from the previous one.
Then somehow through all the adventure were some extremely heartwarming moments and characters that made me so happy. There were also moments and characters that made me unhappy too, which definitely gave a lot more depth to an otherwise fun, lighthearted story. Just when I thought I would make it through the book without getting too attached it had me crying over friendships and unexpected connections. Overall it was a delightful read that left me feeling good.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book based in Australia it’s always a different experience reading about places you have actually been. So I was excited before even opening the first page for the adventure I knew I would be going on with Ruth but I was not prepared for the actual amount of highs and lows that were about to come. This book was chockablock full of action and never left us with a dull moment, I was forever having to start a new chapter after being left with a shock from the previous one.
Then somehow through all the adventure were some extremely heartwarming moments and characters that made me so happy. There were also moments and characters that made me unhappy too, which definitely gave a lot more depth to an otherwise fun, lighthearted story. Just when I thought I would make it through the book without getting too attached it had me crying over friendships and unexpected connections. Overall it was a delightful read that left me feeling good.
October 4, 2021
TW: death, ageism, family violence, controlling behaviours.
When Ruth Morris is moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son Michael, she is eighty-one years young, mourning her loss of independence, and missing her best friend Gladys terribly. Enlisting the help of her fellow residents, Ruth makes a daring departure from Banksia House alongside renowned escape-artist Keith, and her formidable new friend Beryl to visit her best friend Gladys on her death bed.
Wow, what a read! I laughed so hard and cried even harder following the journey up to Brisbane with Ruth, Beryl and Keith! I can't forget Jean as well! These beautiful souls are exactly who I would like to spend my later years with and have a cuppa and a chinwag! I especially enjoyed the journey up, imagining the best fish n chips in Forster and all the other little tidbids along the way.
I feel as though I really connected with Ruth, and to be honest, I do seem to connect and fall more in love with older protagonists as they navigate retirement and loss of independence. I found this book ever so heart warming, and was able to emote very strongly towards Ruth's son Michael, and Glenn, the dodgy nurse. I would have liked to understand more about Ruth's family and why her son is so mean! Overall, a lovely, sweet and funny debut by author James Roxburgh.
Thank you to James Roxburgh for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When Ruth Morris is moved into Banksia House by her workaholic son Michael, she is eighty-one years young, mourning her loss of independence, and missing her best friend Gladys terribly. Enlisting the help of her fellow residents, Ruth makes a daring departure from Banksia House alongside renowned escape-artist Keith, and her formidable new friend Beryl to visit her best friend Gladys on her death bed.
Wow, what a read! I laughed so hard and cried even harder following the journey up to Brisbane with Ruth, Beryl and Keith! I can't forget Jean as well! These beautiful souls are exactly who I would like to spend my later years with and have a cuppa and a chinwag! I especially enjoyed the journey up, imagining the best fish n chips in Forster and all the other little tidbids along the way.
I feel as though I really connected with Ruth, and to be honest, I do seem to connect and fall more in love with older protagonists as they navigate retirement and loss of independence. I found this book ever so heart warming, and was able to emote very strongly towards Ruth's son Michael, and Glenn, the dodgy nurse. I would have liked to understand more about Ruth's family and why her son is so mean! Overall, a lovely, sweet and funny debut by author James Roxburgh.
Thank you to James Roxburgh for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2022
what a heartwarming read! I can’t say i’ve read many books from an older characters’ POV, but this was so much fun and had me laughing along the way.
Ruth is such an incredible character, losing her independence at the start of the book, but not letting her controlling son Michael stop her from visiting her best friend in Brisbane before it’s too late.
She gets help from her new friends Beryl & Jean to orchestrate the perfect escape from Banksia House and before long, she is on a crazy adventure along the east coast of Australia.
it was wonderful seeing Ruth, Beryl & Keith open up to each along the way and share stories about their families. Ruth deserved so much more than the way her son treated her, and I was so glad to see her stand up for herself.
it was a lighthearted read that showed the kindness of strangers while also smashing stereotypes that elderly people are incapable of looking after themselves.
a huge thank you james for sending me a copy of his debut novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what he writes next!
Ruth is such an incredible character, losing her independence at the start of the book, but not letting her controlling son Michael stop her from visiting her best friend in Brisbane before it’s too late.
She gets help from her new friends Beryl & Jean to orchestrate the perfect escape from Banksia House and before long, she is on a crazy adventure along the east coast of Australia.
it was wonderful seeing Ruth, Beryl & Keith open up to each along the way and share stories about their families. Ruth deserved so much more than the way her son treated her, and I was so glad to see her stand up for herself.
it was a lighthearted read that showed the kindness of strangers while also smashing stereotypes that elderly people are incapable of looking after themselves.
a huge thank you james for sending me a copy of his debut novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what he writes next!
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