The Exit by author Helen Fitzgerald #review @FitzHelen

Title : The Exit
Author: Helen Fitzgerald
Published: Allen & Unwin, 25th Feburary 2015
Pages:: 239
Format:: Paperback print

Some people love goodbyes…

23-year-old Catherine is mainly interested in Facebook and flirting, but she reluctantly takes a job at a local care home after her mother puts her foot down – and soon discovers that her new workplace contains many secrets.

One of the residents at the home, 82-year-old Rose, is convinced that something sinister is going on in Room 7 and that her own life is under threat. But Rose has dementia – so what does she actually know, and who would believe her anyway?

As Catherine starts investigating Rose’s allegations, terrible revelations surface about everyone involved. Can Catherine find out what’s really going on before it’s too late?

I really enjoyed this book and it would be 3.5 stars if I was inclined to dish out star ratings. Catherine initially comes off as a rather annoying and shallow young woman which I guess she is but over the course of the story she grows and matures. While this story is extremely creepy and odd in particular the end I also see it as a coming of age story for a very immature individual who through quite unusual circumstances learns a lot about herself and what is important in life.

I work in aged care and I’m studying nursing so this was quite interesting to me for the blurb but Catherine working in a care home is less about the work there and far more about herself, her relationship with her mother and those around her, Rose a resident in the care home in particular.

I found in the beginning the alternating points of view of Catherine and Rose confusing in particular with Rose alternating between young and old Rose though as time progressed it not only was fine but very intricate to the story.

The care home holds many secrets or does it? This questions runs through the whole book is something going on at Dear Green of is the mind of poor Rose conjuring curiosities. I shan’t give that away but do think its worth a read to find out.

I enjoyed this one so much the author is now on my radar and I simply must read more of her work. Highly recommend.

This book qualifies for both the Australian Woman Writers Challenge as well as the Aussie Author Challenge

Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the review copy.

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