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Grey Nomad
When seventy year-old knitter Joyce Campbell steps onto an alien spaceship for the first time, her lifelong dream is fulfilled. But when the ship launches and she zooms away from her husband and all she knows, Joyce is cast off into an adventure she could never have imagined.
Before long Joyce is tangled up in intragalactic intrigue as she finds herself with surprising new allies and abilities which put her at the centre of a conflict that could determine the future of the galaxy — not to mention Earth.
If Joyce and her new-found crew are to save the day, one thing’s for sure: she can’t just stick to her knitting anymore.
Hilarious and heartwarming, this is a coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve ever read … it’s time for an old new hero.
Before long Joyce is tangled up in intragalactic intrigue as she finds herself with surprising new allies and abilities which put her at the centre of a conflict that could determine the future of the galaxy — not to mention Earth.
If Joyce and her new-found crew are to save the day, one thing’s for sure: she can’t just stick to her knitting anymore.
Hilarious and heartwarming, this is a coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve ever read … it’s time for an old new hero.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2022
3 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 25, 2024
I met Alison Ferguson last year at GenreCon and I immediately knew this book was going to be a lot of fun. A 70 year old lady from the CWA (the Country Women’s Association, for non-Australians) goes to space and solves an intergalactic dispute using her knitting skills. This is everything I’ve ever needed from sci-fi.
The plot starts a little slow, with many scenes exploring what life would be like on a spaceship. Then the action really gets going and I was hooked. There’s plenty of humour, weird aliens, and even a few space battles. I adored Joyce as a main character and her frequent amusing flashbacks to life in the CWA. I really hope there’s another instalment in the works because this book was a delight.
The plot starts a little slow, with many scenes exploring what life would be like on a spaceship. Then the action really gets going and I was hooked. There’s plenty of humour, weird aliens, and even a few space battles. I adored Joyce as a main character and her frequent amusing flashbacks to life in the CWA. I really hope there’s another instalment in the works because this book was a delight.
December 20, 2022
I’m not normally a fan of science fiction but this new book by Alison Ferguson had me hooked from the beginning with its irony and humour, and its most unusual heroine. Joyce was doing a tour of a spaceship visiting Canberra when it suddenly took off, taking her and other visitors, as well as the human and alien crew on a deep ‘space’ road-trip, full of intrigue and adventure. Joyce is a member of the CWA in rural Australia, and reflects on the politics of this, like all organizations, as she navigates the politics and mysteries of life on the spaceship and the intragalactic rivalries and egos at the heart of the story. Joyce is also a keen knitter, which proves to be key to her heroic role in the story. Joyce also discovers a new talent while on board the spaceship and uses this to ensure the survival and autonomy of planet Earth. This book is full of warmth and humour and I am looking forward to more from this author.
July 23, 2023
"It's time to get back to boldly going where no CWA member has gone before."
Seventy year old Joyce Campbell thinks she is "just Joyce". She has always been told she is not capable of much so there is no point in trying.
But Joyce is determined not to end up like her mother, "eking out a sour old age having done nothing worth remembering."
So when the opportunity arrives in her email inbox to tour a visiting spaceship, Joyce decides to take up the offer. And what ensues is a rollicking space adventure where Joyce finally learns just what she can do.
This was such a fun ride. Joyce's determined yet kind spirit shines through as she copes with space travel and her not so cooperative aging body.
I certainly hope we will have more books about Joyce as the ending leaves us wondering what will happen next in the intergalactic storm Joyce has created.
Seventy year old Joyce Campbell thinks she is "just Joyce". She has always been told she is not capable of much so there is no point in trying.
But Joyce is determined not to end up like her mother, "eking out a sour old age having done nothing worth remembering."
So when the opportunity arrives in her email inbox to tour a visiting spaceship, Joyce decides to take up the offer. And what ensues is a rollicking space adventure where Joyce finally learns just what she can do.
This was such a fun ride. Joyce's determined yet kind spirit shines through as she copes with space travel and her not so cooperative aging body.
I certainly hope we will have more books about Joyce as the ending leaves us wondering what will happen next in the intergalactic storm Joyce has created.
February 21, 2023
I loved this crazy space romp, featuring a 70-year-old protagonist with a strong penchant for knitting. Joyce Campbell is a delight, not letting her dickie knees and over-taxed bladder get in the way of intragalactic adventures. Part Hitchhikers Guide, part Pratchett, this is a funny, cracking yarn (boom, boom) that takes us from Canberra to space and beyond. Alison Russell has written a terrific novel and I hope it gains the readership it deserves.
August 21, 2025
What's not to love? Knitting obsessed older woman 'accidentally' trapped on an alien spaceship forced off Earth by more aliens. Trades her life as downtroden Aussie wife and CWA stalwart for adventure and intergalactic intrigue. Beam me up now!
Loved Joyce and the relatability of her physical foibles as well as her burgeoning confidence and the new cameraderie of her - sometimes reluctant - crew.
Ferguson's voice and pace is delightfully apt. And I agree it's time for an old new hero.
A great read.
Loved Joyce and the relatability of her physical foibles as well as her burgeoning confidence and the new cameraderie of her - sometimes reluctant - crew.
Ferguson's voice and pace is delightfully apt. And I agree it's time for an old new hero.
A great read.
November 23, 2022
A grey nomad going where none have gone before. Such a fun book to read. The lessons in life learnt by knitting and navigating the politics of the local CWA can apply in so many surprising situations. Looking forward to seeing further adventures.
May 10, 2023
This is a rollicking good read with an older heroine Joyce - we need more Joyces! Loved the CWA and knitting background. There was a lot of dialogue and I did find some of the alien alliances and shenanigans hard to follow but it didn't really matter. It was fun.
September 29, 2022
At last! Something fun!!
Nice to meet a new/old hero but just a cozy read. Hope this becomes a series.
Nice to meet a new/old hero but just a cozy read. Hope this becomes a series.
February 15, 2023
This was so much fun!
October 17, 2023
A light hearted science-fi read with a 70 year old CWA president as the hero!
November 19, 2023
This is a hilarious and heart-warming coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve read before. From the beginning to the end, you will be absorbed into Joyce’s life in space while also having a nice viewpoint into rural Australia. Not to mention, Joyce’s dickie knees or over-taxed bladder getting the best of her while committing intergalactic espionage!
The world-building and politics are both soundly created and once you throw in a bunch of humans, things are going to get messy. However, thanks to Joyce and her skills as a CWS member, it’s never a dull or over the top moment. You will fall in love with all the characters and get swept up in their dramatic adventure; while also trying to figure out who is the real evil mastermind and can we trust them long enough to get back to Earth.
This debut novel by Ferguson is written beautifully and I hope everyone gives this masterpiece the attention it deserves.
The world-building and politics are both soundly created and once you throw in a bunch of humans, things are going to get messy. However, thanks to Joyce and her skills as a CWS member, it’s never a dull or over the top moment. You will fall in love with all the characters and get swept up in their dramatic adventure; while also trying to figure out who is the real evil mastermind and can we trust them long enough to get back to Earth.
This debut novel by Ferguson is written beautifully and I hope everyone gives this masterpiece the attention it deserves.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews