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Paradise Lodge

By: Nina Stibbe
Narrated by: Helen Baxendale
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Summary

This is the story of Lizzie Vogel, a 15 year old girl who finds herself working in a ramshackle old people's home in the English suburbs. It is the late 1970s and the place is in chaos - there's a much swisher old people's home nearer the supermarket with better parking which is taking all the best patients; Matron seems to be utterly without qualifications, and Lizzie has no idea what she's doing.

But, the longer Lizzie stays the more she discovers about the patients and the staff - she uncovers a love affair and a plot to kidnap one of the patients, as well as discovering how not to wash false teeth or give an old lady a bath. Very funny, tender and wonderfully gripping, Paradise Lodge is a celebration of chaos, love and old people.

©2016 Nina Stibbe (P)2016 Penguin Audio
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What listeners say about Paradise Lodge

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Boring romp through an old people's home.

As title suggest, boring romp through an old people's care home..Not funny...not very interesting..not original..the only thing I found fun was this book mentions a lot of old product brands..old musicians and memorabilia of the past. Not enough story content
To make it worth reading. An almost depressing book, that tries to mix a love story of the main character with the old people in the home etc. My basic opinion is ...nope

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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And life goes on ...

I enjoyed finding out how Liz and her family are surviving in their turbulent and hilarious lives.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Jolly but why?

The story was quite interesting but I did keep wondering where it was going or why it was being told. No clear plot . In the end I conclude it's just a story of things that happened over a space of time. I found the '70s references or versions of life then a bit forced at times. Helen Baxendales reading was of course good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A lovely story, read beautifully

Couldn't stip listening, a good story delivered superbly by Helen Baxendale, entertaining from start to finish.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyed this whimsical tale

Funny, empathetic statement on society with some great retro references thrown in that took me right back to my 20's

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A trip down memory lane.

Excellent narration. Storyline somewhat weak and at times rather far fetched. What made it enjoyable for me was the trip down memory lane in the 1970s. Being the same age as the lead character in the same year, and also growing up in Leicester, there was much that was familiar and brought a smile to my face. Anyone else remember going 'glice' skating in the old Granby Halls? Now demolished and another car park . I'd completely forgotten about Linco Beer shampoo, the desire for which leads our heroine into taking a part time job in a care home, as her mother won't buy it. The descriptions of the lives of the staff and residents within the care home are both amusing and touching, if not somewhat worrying. This is in an era before the likes of the Care Quality Commission existed though; it would be de - registered nowadays. Worth a listen, particularly if wanting something light.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What a peculiar story!

Any additional comments?

Not that I could tell what I expected, but this wasn't it! Surprisingly considering the topic and location, this was quite funny, endearing and sad in so many ways! I ended up really enjoying it! Definitely recommend

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Perfect for summer beach listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Paradise Lodge to be better than the print version?

Yes. Helen Baxendale was the perfect reader for this book and added an extra dimension to an already very good book.

What other book might you compare Paradise Lodge to, and why?

I can't think of anything to compare it to. It combines lots of laugh out loud moment with a poignant and moving story.

Which character – as performed by Helen Baxendale – was your favourite?

The story is told from the point of view of Lizzie Vogel and Helen Baxendale totally captured her unique voice.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is both funny and sad. A really enjoyable book.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A fantastic story, beautifully read

I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. The author's style is funny, heart warming and so relatable. An absolute delight

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Nina Stibbe - I'm a fan.

Nina Stibbe's writing is fresh, funny and engaging. She really made me feel as though I knew all the characters, I was rooting for them, I was concerned for them. The story is beautifully narrated, the picture of Paradise Lodge was delightfully painted by good narration and excellent writing.

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