Three Things About Elsie

St Just Thursday Evening Reading Group 1st February 2024.

Three Things about Elsie. Joanna Cannon.

This book was appreciated (‘liked’ not being quite the right word) by the whole group, and it gave rise to a lot of discussion. A few people found it hard to get into, or had a problem in the middle, but finished it just the same; and it was generally agreed that we liked the author’s writing style: a lot of good one-liners, and ‘shot through with whimsy and wise words’. Comparisons were made with Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club, Emma Healey’s Elizabeth is Missing, and one of Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ series.

We talked about the plot of the book, which is quite complicated. Readers guessed with varying degrees of speediness about Elsie’s presence being imaginary to Florence. Though potentially depressing and undoubtedly sad, even horrific in parts (the dreadful threat of Greenbank hanging over the residents should their mental faculties fail them), there is a lot of humour in this book, we thought.

The discussion ranged over various topics: when looking after elderly residents, those who are competent and those who are not isn’t always immediately obvious, and this may apply to the carers as well as those looked after. We talked about care homes we had visited and how good or bad they were, and concluded that this largely depends upon the staff. The testing for dementia was considered, as per the example in this book, and we wondered whether failing such a test proves that the candidate really does have dementia, or that they aren’t very observant or very good at mental arithmetic under pressure.

This was quite a thought-provoking book, raising questions about the end of life, what happens to people when they die and just beforehand, and what happens to their friends and carers too.

The central character, Florence, is an 84 year old woman who has a flat in a sheltered accommodation complex. She lives in constant fear of being diagnosed with dementia and being moved to a nearby care home. Things start to go wrong for her when a shady character from her past becomes her latest neighbour.
Joanna Cannon's skillful writing gives the reader an insight into Florence's mind, sharing in her confusion and anxiety. Cannon's accurate observations of dementia sufferers have resulted in a beautifully sensitive book, which kept me guessing as to what was fact and what was the fantasies of Florence's mind, right until the very end.

We all enjoyed this book ,although some of us had guessed the twist to the story

Recommended By. Durham Book Swap

Recommended for anyone who cares about people.

Review. The central character, Florence, is an 84 year old woman who has a flat in a sheltered accommodation complex. She lives in constant fear of being diagnosed with dementia and being moved to a nearby care home. Things start to go wrong for her when a shady character from her past becomes her latest neighbour.
Joanna Cannon's skillful writing gives the reader an insight into Florence's mind, sharing her confusion and anxiety. Cannon's accurate observations of dementia sufferers have resulted in a beautifully sensitive book, which kept me guessing as to what was fact and what was the fantasies of Florence's mind, right until the very end.
Having had the experience of watching a loved one fading away in the throws of dementia I think that this book is an excellent portrayal of this cruel condition and I would definitely recommend this book.

I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy reading a book set in a nursing home, but I absolutely adored Florence, her friend Jack and the ever present Elsie.
I wasn’t sure what to expect but a whodoneit wasn’t it! I thought I’d worked it all out but there was a surprise package at the end of the book which both surprised and excillerated me. I especially enjoyed the skilled storytelling, connecting everyone up.
All in all, a joy to read.

Observant, down to earth, slightly abrasive and wonderfully funny, Florence Claybourne is seeing her days out as a reluctant resident of ‘Cherry Tree home for the elderly’. That is until a very unexpected and unwanted visitor from the distant past throws her life into disarray. Past and present become intertwined and as Florence begins to remember, a tragic mystery begins to unfold.
This book really drew me in, at first I wasn’t so sure if I would enjoy reading about Cherry Tree and the characters living and working there, I didn’t actually find them very likeable. However once introductions were made and the storyline developed they became much more endearing.
I didn’t know what to expect from this book, it kept me guessing right up until the end. A mystery to be solved and so much more besides - especially Florence’s matter of fact and highly amusing observations.
I would recommend this book as a nice combination of being both easy to read and thought provoking, cosy and familiar on the surface ‘Three Things about Elsie’ will not fail to leave you feeling deeply moved.

Having heard the author on Radio i read and shared this with a friend.
Great understanding of importance of friendship and shared experiences.
Some waffle in bulk of book where focus became too "coincidental "to be true.
Good descriptions of impact of memory loss and difference in concept of life and experience.
Worth a read and good to discuss