Book Review - 'The Banksia House Breakout'
- Hayley Walsh
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
I love a story with older protagonists. This debut novel by Australian author James Roxburgh was a joy to read. It was a pleasure to read a good book set around my home city of Sydney. I also love the cover, It couldnt be more Australian, featuring our lovely native Banksia.
In this story we meet eighty-one-year-old Ruth. She finds herself being placed in a nursing home by her workaholic son Michael after he sells her home she shared with her late husband. Having previously granted her son Power of Attorney over her financial affairs; Ruth sadly resigns herself to her fate.
Ruth mourns her old life, her husband, and her independence, but quickly finds new friends in Jean and Beryl. The three ladies help each other pass the time during the boring regimented routine fills days at the nursing home.
They discover not all care givers in the home are good eggs. In fact one is a rotten egg, and they set out to bring him down. They just have to catch him in the act.
Their detective work is put on hold when Ruth learns her old friend Gladys is dying up in Brisbane. She is determined to see her best friend one last time.
When she asks Michael for support to go and visit Gladys, he is not willing to help stating he is too busy at work to take her.
The three ladies hatch a plan for Ruth to escape with Beryl, while the frail but clever Jean stays behind and creates a diversion with the support of a caring young nurse with whom she strikes up a friendship.
The ladies ‘borrow’ a car and set off on their trip. Another elderly resident, Keith, a charismatic known escape artist and keen fisherman joins them hoping to cast a few reels on their drive up the east coast.
When Michael hears of his mother's escapades, he cuts her off from accessing her bank account thinking she will give up on her 'silly' quest and return to the nursing home.
Michael was wrong, and this is where things get interesting. The unlikely trio of road trippers have to rely on their wit, charm, wisdom, and sheer determination to make it to Brisbane. They make it with the help of some diverse characters they meet along the way.
Can Ruth get her independence back? What will her future hold? Can she mend her broken relationship with her son? Will they make it to Brisbane before it’s too late?
This story is full of heart. It has a band of likable characters that will have you cheering them all on from start to finish.
It explores the themes of aging, loss, love, family, and friendships all wrapped up in lots of fun.
I give it four stars.