The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker

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What to expect

A poignant ode to love and the memories that make a well-lived life, from the author of THE SINGLE LADIES OF JACARANDA RETIREMENT VILLAGE

As the wife of retired ship's doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner - gown, tiara, runners - and regales her fellow passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury, as well as showing off her superior knowledge of everything from ships' customs to biographical details of her heroine, Florence Nightingale. The crew treat her with deference. And forbearance.

But when Henry goes missing, Evelyn sets off to search every part of the grand ocean liner to find him, casino, nightclub and off-limits areas included.

Misadventures are had, new friends are made, scandalous behaviour noted - all news to Evelyn. If only she could remember the events of the night before as clearly as she can recall the first time she met Henry on a passage from England to Australia in 1953 and fell in love, abandoning her dreams to become a midwife to be a wife instead - and the long-ago painful events that left Evelyn all at sea.

Why is it so hard to forget some things and so hard to remember others? And where is Henry?

(p)2019 Hachette Australia

Critics Review

Praise for Joanna Nell
:
Hugely entertaining . . . funny and heart-warming
Woman & Home
A gentle, warm-hearted book that had me rooting for all the characters and laughing out loud at points. A book that shows it is never too late to learn how to live, to make new friends and to fall in love.
Libby Page, author of The Lido
A warm and touching story with a cast of characters who became my friends - I loved The Single Ladies of the Jacaranda Retirement Village with all its wit, wisdom and spirit
Katie Marsh, author of The Rest of Me
The perfect blend of funny and moving; Peggy Smart had me laughing and crying in this ultimately uplifting story
Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Seamstress
A funny and poignant exploration of growing old disgracefully and enjoying your twilight years.
Culturefly
Funny, insightful and deliciously refreshing, it's the most heartwarming book we've read in a long time.
Woman's Weekly
It's the kind of poignant, perceptive story that brings a tear to your eye one minute, and has you smiling the next.
Culturefly
I adored this funny yet moving story about home, friendship, and what it means to live. Poignant and warm-hearted, it's a tonic for our times. I was truly sad to say goodbye to these spirited and endearing characters.
Holly Miller, author of THE SIGHT OF YOU
Tender and funny
Woman & Home
Engaging, funny and resoundingly human.
Books + Publishing
Witty, warm . . . A wonderful read about growing older, and grabbing hold of life.
The Australian
Celebrates so well, the treasures that life's later stages can hold.
Dianne Yarwood (The Wakes)
Heart-warming, tender and oh-so-funny, this is a story that will leave you smiling.
Ali Lowe
Joanna Nell has done it again! You will fall in love with Mrs Winterbottom. This book is a charming, funny and wise exploration of the pleasures and perils of retirement. It's a meditation on the meaning of love, and the ebbs and flows of relationships. If you want a laugh-out-loud holiday read that will make your heart swell, this is the book for you.
Tracey Spicer AM
This heart-warming story about growing old gracefully - and disgracefully . . . is a funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
Daily Telegraph
I loved taking a gap week from my life with Mrs Winterbottom. Nell's writing is, as always, delightfully funny and as heart-warming as a cup of tea.
Megan Albany
I haven't been this entranced by a character since Eleanor (Oliphant, of course). This book is a joy - it's a celebration of age instead of an apology for it, and a reminder that life is always an adventure if you let it be. I loved this uniquely endearing book.
Kelly Rimmer (Single Ladies)
An uplifting story, full of essential human truths.
Tracey Spicer OAM (Single Ladies)
Whip-smart dialogue, humour and sarcasm . . . extremely well written and highly addictive.
Sun Herald (The Last Voyage)
Joanna is an accomplished writer . . . an astute observer of the human condition.
Living Arts Canberra
Lively and whimsical . . . with some serious points to make about ageing, love, community and friendship.
The Sydney Morning Herald (Single Ladies)
A funny, witty and thoroughly enjoyable read for all ages.
The Daily Telegraph (Single Ladies)
One of the funniest and most moving books this year.
Indira Naidoo, ABC Radio Nightlife
A powerful work wrapped in a gentle cover of affection and fun . . . This is a wise, kind and insightful writer.
Living Arts Canberra
Sharp dialogue, wit and heart-warming emotion make The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home the perfect weekend read.
Better Reading
This novel is a delight . . . it's honest, hopeful, sad and hilarious.
Napier Courier (NZ)
Takes readers on a sweet journey. A warm-hearted read from Nell, who tells engaging stories with older protagonists.
The Australian
In creating senior-driven stories free of stereotype and suffused with charm, she has captured the wit, experience, smarts, attitude, sorrow and mischief of an age group that is all too often invisible.
Better Homes & Gardens
Laugh-out-loud funny, nicely plotted and executed with absolutely delightful moments.
NZ Herald (The Great Escape)
Beautifully written, with a lot of humour and some real laugh out loud moments, The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker is utterly delightful. Highly recommended.
Better Reading
A touching story about the power of memory.
Australian Women’s Weekly (The Last Voyage)
The Tea Ladies is a delight. Warm characters and observations and great pace.
Amanda Hampson

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