albloomy's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
This is so unbelievably cute. Having aged care residents breaking out to live life, see friends, fulfil deathbed wishes and prove they don’t need to be locked in is beautiful and life affirming. I am obsessed and I have already recommended it to others.
This is so unbelievably cute. Having aged care residents breaking out to live life, see friends, fulfil deathbed wishes and prove they don’t need to be locked in is beautiful and life affirming. I am obsessed and I have already recommended it to others.
travellingtoz's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable easy read. It got a little far fetched towards the end.
gleamy's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review
4.0
Although Ruth Morris is 81, and mourning the loss of her husband, she isn't yet ready to move to Banksia House, the care home her workaholic son wants her to live in. Ruth's best friend Gladys moved away many years ago, and is now severely ill. Ruth is determined to see her friend one last time before it's too late, and when her son won't help her she takes things in to her own hands. With the help of some newly found friends Ruth is soon making way on the trip of a lifetime, but will she make it to Brisbane in time?
I hadn't heard of this book or author until it became an Audible Editor's Extra, so it probably would have passed me by otherwise. I'm grateful that it was promoted because it was a great read and a nice heartwarming story.
Set on the East coast of Australia this story visited a range of places, some I was familiar with and some less so. It was a brilliant portrayal of Australia though, particularly the life of a traveller (albeit one a few years older than I was when I travelled the coast myself!) Roxburgh really nails the feeling of camerarderie and all being in it together that you find amongst travellers, particularly those on a tight budget. It brought back some memories for sure!
There's a real mix of characters in this book. Ruth was loveable, someone you could definitely imagine as a relative or friend. I found the first few chapters of the book quite heart breaking, and did at one point think that if the tone didn't lighten up I might not be able to continue reading. Thankfully it did and we got to see Ruth enjoying her life. It was a strong reminder though how easily some older people can be mistreated or overlooked.
Once Ruth and her friends get on the road the fun part of the story kicks in. There's still some hiccups along the way, it's certainly not all smooth sailing, but there's a lot of humour to be found in the situations that the trio find themselves in. I thought some of the side characters were wonderful, and Roxburgh did a great job of showing the kindness of strangers with some of these.
I enjoyed listening to this, and will be keeping an eye out for Roxburgh's future releases. Who knows, there could even be more adventures in store for Ruth and co yet.
I hadn't heard of this book or author until it became an Audible Editor's Extra, so it probably would have passed me by otherwise. I'm grateful that it was promoted because it was a great read and a nice heartwarming story.
Set on the East coast of Australia this story visited a range of places, some I was familiar with and some less so. It was a brilliant portrayal of Australia though, particularly the life of a traveller (albeit one a few years older than I was when I travelled the coast myself!) Roxburgh really nails the feeling of camerarderie and all being in it together that you find amongst travellers, particularly those on a tight budget. It brought back some memories for sure!
There's a real mix of characters in this book. Ruth was loveable, someone you could definitely imagine as a relative or friend. I found the first few chapters of the book quite heart breaking, and did at one point think that if the tone didn't lighten up I might not be able to continue reading. Thankfully it did and we got to see Ruth enjoying her life. It was a strong reminder though how easily some older people can be mistreated or overlooked.
Once Ruth and her friends get on the road the fun part of the story kicks in. There's still some hiccups along the way, it's certainly not all smooth sailing, but there's a lot of humour to be found in the situations that the trio find themselves in. I thought some of the side characters were wonderful, and Roxburgh did a great job of showing the kindness of strangers with some of these.
I enjoyed listening to this, and will be keeping an eye out for Roxburgh's future releases. Who knows, there could even be more adventures in store for Ruth and co yet.
maedae's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Dementia, and Death
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexual harassment
mistymoon24's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Charming read highlighting the richness of independence in a trio of nursing home escapees.
sophiia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
stuck_in_a_leabhar's review against another edition
5.0
📖⭐️ BOOK REVIEW ⭐️📖
Book: The Banksia House Breakout
Author: James Roxburgh
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings: Cancer, death, emotional and physical abuse
The Banksia House Breakout follows the lovely Ruth Morris who has been forced by her son to sell her beloved home and move into a local nursing home. She is sad and lonely as she leaves all she is familiar with behind to start the next chapter of her life.
Not long after she arrives, Ruth is saddened to hear that her dear friend Gladys doesn’t have long left and she makes it her mission to find a way to get from Banksia House in Sydney to her friends nursing home in Brisbane to say her last goodbyes. With her new friends Jean, Beryl and escape artist Keith anything is possible!!
The Banksia House Breakout is a truly heartwarming story that will have you laughing and crying all at once. The characters are so loveable that you just want to join them and help them out on their incredibly adventurous journey. The book was the perfect escape and I loved every minute of it!! I
lizzles's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kruu_dao's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
I read two Australian novels about elder abuse in the same month, and this was certainly the more light-hearted and hopeful of the two. In this one, the protagnist Ruth is very plucky, and it was delightful to follow her adventures, as well as watch her reclaim power over her own life.