Reviews

A Funny Kind of Paradise by Jo Owens

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sdmmsd's review

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challenging dark emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

smalltownbookmom's review

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4.0

This was a REALLY insightful and touching view of what life is like for both patients, relatives and especially the staff who work in care homes, which makes sense since the author has twenty years of experience in the field. I was very impressed with this debut told with equal measures heart, humor and sorrow. At nearly 70 years of age Franny is moved into a long-term care home when she suffers a major stroke that leaves her partially paralyzed, unable to talk and with a feeding tube. She is wholly reliant on the staff to help with her every need but on the inside her mind is still sharp as a tack. Through Franny's eyes we get to see all of the indignities and quiet acts of kindness she and the other residents receive. I really enjoyed this story - Franny reminded me of a more modern day version of Margaret Laurence's Hagar Shipley. A great book to garner more empathy for our elders living in care homes and appreciation for the amazing people who work there. Highly recommend!

mj_j's review

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5.0

This was an unexpectedly engrossing and lovely book.

tennisgirl27's review

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5.0

This is the story of Fran who has a debilitating stroke in her late 60s and is living out her days in a long term care home. To me the theme of this story is about life in the long term care home and focuses on the care givers who work in the home. The book was emotional for me. Feeling sadness for the characters in the home and feeling respect for the caregivers that work in the home but it also made me angry thinking about the stories in the press about care homes that don’t care properly for their residents (especially during Covid times). It also made me think of my Mom who is older and what her future could be like. Is this book a five star read?......not really but bc of the connection and emotions it elicited in me I am rating it as a 5/5 as anytime I read a book I can’t stop thinking about I think it deserves this rating.

teacupsandfirereads's review

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I live where this story is set, so it was neat being able to place it. It is a unique and endearing story. I quite enjoyed Frannie as a character; her perspectives and her spunk. The first but, I found quite slow, but got into it a third of the way in. Then I found it wrapped up really quickly, but that is how life can be. I am not sure I feel quite settled with a sense of closure in the book, I don't feel Frannie really came to terms with her life. I would recommend this to those that enjoy books with older characters, that still have a young heart.

Content Warnings