The Great Unexpected
A Novel
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4.2 • 44 Ratings
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
A curmudgeon and his eccentric new roommate join together to plan an epic escape in this charming, poignant tale.
Joel lives in a nursing home, and he’s not one bit happy about it. He hates being told when to eat, when to sleep, when to take his pills. He’s fed up with life and begins to plan a way out when his new roommate, a retired soap opera actor named Frank, moves in and turns the nursing-home community upside down.
Though the two men couldn’t be more opposite, a fast friendship is formed when Frank is the only one who listens to and stands up for Joel. When he tells Frank about his burgeoning plan, they embark together on a mission to find the perfect escape, and along the way will discover that it’s never too late for new beginnings.
Filled with colorful characters, sparkling humor and deep emotion, The Great Unexpected is the story of friendship, finding oneself later in life and experiencing newfound joy in the most unexpected places.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mooney (Me, Myself, and Them) tells a witty, endearing tale of a U.K. nursing home resident who is unhappy with his life. Since the death of Joels' Monroe's wife, three years ago, Joel's roommate at the Hilltop Nursing Home has been the comatose Mr. Miller until he stops breathing and nurses are unable to resuscitate him. After Miller's death, Frank Adams becomes Joel's new roommate, and Joel enjoys having someone to talk to even though he and Frank are very different men. Frank is a charming former actor who lost an opportunity to be with the man he loved for fear of coming out as openly gay, while Joel is a curmudgeonly former garage owner despondent over the fact that the nursing home feels like a prison. Joel tells Frank that he wants to commit suicide, and Frank agrees to help Joel come up with a plan for his demise. While working on Joel's plan, Frank and Joel escape from Hilltop for nighttime adventures, enjoying pints at a pub and clubbing with Joel's grandchildren. Through Frank's friendship, Joel starts to believe that life might be worth living after all. Mooney's novel is filled with humor and touching emotion, providing excellent character development of Frank and Joel and the varied experiences of their lives. This is a real crowd-pleaser.
Customer Reviews
A Gem
Do yourself a favor and read this charming, thoughtful book!
Great Unexpected
This is an outstandingly well-told story. I urge everyone to read it.
Love it
Wonderful book for all generations. So many life lessons including A beautiful perspective of growing old.