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Flee, Fly, Flown
When Lillian and Audrey hatch a plot to escape from Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home, "borrow" a car, and spend their hastily planned vacation time driving to destinations west, they aren't fully aware of the challenges they will face. All they know is that the warm days of August call to them, and the need to escape the daily routines and humiliations of nursing home life has become overwhelming. � Flushed with the success of their escape plan, they set out on their journey having forgotten that their memory problems might make driving and following directions difficult. Their trip is almost over before it begins, until they meet up with the unsuspecting Rayne, a young man also heading west in hope of reconciling with his family.
As Lillian and Audrey try to take back the control that time and dementia has taken from them, Rayne realizes the truth of their situation. But it's too late - he has fallen under the spell of these two funny, brave women and is willing to be a part of their adventure, wherever it leads them.
244 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2013
5 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Janet Hepburn
4books11followersI live in a small town in Southern Ontario. I love to read and write poetry and fiction and would love to perfect my skill in the art of short story, one of my favourite genres right now. Publisher Second Story Press has just released my first novel, Flee, Fly, Flown (March 2013).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
May 1, 2013
What's the opposite of pretentious? Humble? Sincere? Honest? Flee, Fly, Flown is certainly the latter. It's also a funny (sometimes hilarious) look at aging, adventure, and friendship set against the backdrop of mental illness.
Hepburn takes the reader down paths with predictable conclusions, but veers away from the clichéd every time. Highly recommended.
Hepburn takes the reader down paths with predictable conclusions, but veers away from the clichéd every time. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2024
this is adorable and devastating and sweet and funny and heartbreaking and inspiring and uplifting and aggravating all at once.
i really enjoyed this read. i was part of their vacation and was rooting for them the whole way!
i really enjoyed this read. i was part of their vacation and was rooting for them the whole way!
April 9, 2016
Lillian and Audrey are tired of being bossed around in the "Home" they live in. They get told when to eat, when to get up, when to play Bingo and even when to poop. They might not remember as much as they used to but they do know that this is bull. They want to live a little and they are dang tired of oatmeal and jello.
So they devise a plan to 'escape' and go on a road trip.
Audrey remembers selling her car to the kid next door and she just happens to still have a key. So the 'girls' escape and "borrow" the car from that kid. Once they figure out where Audrey used to live.
Lillian is pretty sure she can figure out the driving thing again. After all you really never forget..right?
Umm that doesn't really work out so hot so they pick up a young homeless guy named Rayne to drive for them.
Then they are off to feel the wind on their arms as they drive towards the mountains.
Rayne realizes that all is not right with the girls though after they start calling him by either one of their dead husbands names or by Lillian's son's name.
But the girls are tougher than people give them credit for.
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a funny road trippy book and it somewhat is. It is bittersweet though with the girls Alzheimers creeping into the picture. I would have rated it a bit higher if the ending hadn't just seemed so abrupt and thrown together.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
I'm selecting this review as a highlighted one because the reviewer did like the book more than I did. (We all read a book differently)
So they devise a plan to 'escape' and go on a road trip.
Audrey remembers selling her car to the kid next door and she just happens to still have a key. So the 'girls' escape and "borrow" the car from that kid. Once they figure out where Audrey used to live.
Lillian is pretty sure she can figure out the driving thing again. After all you really never forget..right?
Umm that doesn't really work out so hot so they pick up a young homeless guy named Rayne to drive for them.
Then they are off to feel the wind on their arms as they drive towards the mountains.
Rayne realizes that all is not right with the girls though after they start calling him by either one of their dead husbands names or by Lillian's son's name.
But the girls are tougher than people give them credit for.
I went into this book thinking it was going to be a funny road trippy book and it somewhat is. It is bittersweet though with the girls Alzheimers creeping into the picture. I would have rated it a bit higher if the ending hadn't just seemed so abrupt and thrown together.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review
I'm selecting this review as a highlighted one because the reviewer did like the book more than I did. (We all read a book differently)
May 11, 2016
I love how you can pick up certain books and think hmm im not sure about this one. But i am so glad i decided to read this.
Here we meet Lillian and Audrey, both residents of Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home in Ottawa. Sadly they both have Alzheimer's. Soon the ladies think there must be more to life than being stuck in the home popping pills and sitting around not doing much. With this in a sane moment, they plot an escape to go on Vacation. After fleeing the home unnoticed they get a car, some money and manage to pick up a lovely young guy by the name of Wayne (Rayne to the ladies) Rayne excepts their offer of being their driver in exchange to safely take them on their adventure. They head for British Columbia and using the names of Lucy and Ethel they set off. Along the journey we learn a little more about the lives of Lillian and Audrey, they adopt a dog along the way, stop at some great cafe's, stay in a number of Motel's and get themselves in some situations. Lillian and Audrey were such a joy.
I loved the writing style of this book and how it was handled with sensitivity. Alzheimer's is sadly a disease that effects a lot of people and their familes. I felt this book was upbeat and allowed the ladies to really enjoy their adventure and have some freedom that sadly had been taken away being in the home. Despite having Alzheimer's, these ladies were such a joy. It was lovely to see Rayne, take them under his wing as he would his own Grandmother. I wasnt sure how the book would end, and im sad to see it finish as it was the type of book i could of kept reading as i was enjoying it so much. Looking forward to more from Janet Hepburn.
Here we meet Lillian and Audrey, both residents of Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home in Ottawa. Sadly they both have Alzheimer's. Soon the ladies think there must be more to life than being stuck in the home popping pills and sitting around not doing much. With this in a sane moment, they plot an escape to go on Vacation. After fleeing the home unnoticed they get a car, some money and manage to pick up a lovely young guy by the name of Wayne (Rayne to the ladies) Rayne excepts their offer of being their driver in exchange to safely take them on their adventure. They head for British Columbia and using the names of Lucy and Ethel they set off. Along the journey we learn a little more about the lives of Lillian and Audrey, they adopt a dog along the way, stop at some great cafe's, stay in a number of Motel's and get themselves in some situations. Lillian and Audrey were such a joy.
I loved the writing style of this book and how it was handled with sensitivity. Alzheimer's is sadly a disease that effects a lot of people and their familes. I felt this book was upbeat and allowed the ladies to really enjoy their adventure and have some freedom that sadly had been taken away being in the home. Despite having Alzheimer's, these ladies were such a joy. It was lovely to see Rayne, take them under his wing as he would his own Grandmother. I wasnt sure how the book would end, and im sad to see it finish as it was the type of book i could of kept reading as i was enjoying it so much. Looking forward to more from Janet Hepburn.
June 21, 2017
Audrey and Lillian have alzheimer disease and are living in a long term care home in Ottawa Ontario. They are fed up and decide they would like a holiday.
They have a plan to get a car and escape and have a nice holiday away from the humiliations of the nursing home.
Their plan was all but over until they met up with an unsuspecting young fellow named Rayne whom they ask to drive them. Since his father is in BC, he offers to drive them there and in so doing also has transportation to get himself home to reconcile with his family.
It was awhile before the innocent Rayne became aware of the two ladies memory issues but by that time he was under their spell and felt responsible for them and their care. The police caught up with them in Saskatchewan and this is when the ladies discovered that they were not prisoners and had not done anything wrong and didn't have to answer to anyone.
My feelings were very mixed; at times funny, if it wasn't for such a sad disease. I could put myself in the shoes of Carol, Lillian's daughter, who was out of her mind with worry for her mom.
This was an excellent debut novel. I know that some people found it humorous, and it could have been cute, except for the seriousness of the topic.
An excellent read.
They have a plan to get a car and escape and have a nice holiday away from the humiliations of the nursing home.
Their plan was all but over until they met up with an unsuspecting young fellow named Rayne whom they ask to drive them. Since his father is in BC, he offers to drive them there and in so doing also has transportation to get himself home to reconcile with his family.
It was awhile before the innocent Rayne became aware of the two ladies memory issues but by that time he was under their spell and felt responsible for them and their care. The police caught up with them in Saskatchewan and this is when the ladies discovered that they were not prisoners and had not done anything wrong and didn't have to answer to anyone.
My feelings were very mixed; at times funny, if it wasn't for such a sad disease. I could put myself in the shoes of Carol, Lillian's daughter, who was out of her mind with worry for her mom.
This was an excellent debut novel. I know that some people found it humorous, and it could have been cute, except for the seriousness of the topic.
An excellent read.
July 17, 2014
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
This is not my usual genre of book, and when I was first approached about reading this story, I was going to turn it down. However, after reading the synopsis and thinking about it, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did, because I LOVED it!
Lillian is a wonderful lady. I loved this feisty octogenarian. I could imagine her as a younger woman with a backbone of steel and a penchant for taking risks. I began to cheer her on, as she embarked on an amazing adventure with her friend Audrey, and a young man called Rayne.
Audrey is also a wonderful character. She is a woman who has not had an easy life, though her mousy demeanor hides her adventurous spirit. Her trusting nature is one thing I loved about her. She is probably the best friend anyone could have, as her loyalty is given to so few.
I started to read this book, expecting it to be a comedic adventure. How wrong I was! This book took me on an amazing adventure with two strong females struck down by a disease that has stripped them of freedom and dignity. I struggled to put this book down, and even then, it was grudgingly when I had to.
Lillan and Audrey, in their "sane" moments, realise that there is more to life than watching TV and taking pills in a nursing home, and plot an escape to have a holiday from the constant, unwanted attention of the well meaning nurses. Their minds, dulled by the disease at times, are incredibly sharp and curious when lucid. This made for some humorous events, including the scene where Rayne was recruited to drive the two ladies from Ottawa to British Columbia. Their journey is full of anecdotes of the lives they once had, which brought these characters to life in my minds eye. Rayne is a troubled young man, but his empathy and sensitivity towards the two older women was very touching. I liked this young man. He is kind, considerate and, although a bit selfish at times, caring. I found the ending to be a bit bittersweet, but I will find that this story will stay with me for some time to come.
Alzheimer's is a disease that, thankfully, has not affected my family. Yet. However, this story has opened my eyes to how people affected by this disease are basically prisoners to it. They have no idea that they are sick, and when the episode has cleared, there is no recollection of their behaviour or actions. However, when they are "normal", they find themselves confined or too drugged to understand. Putting a person with Alzheimer's into a home is a hard decision for a family. However, some people cannot look after their family member/s the way they need, so a home is the only option. Although I have great sympathy for the families affected, I also feel for the person afflicted by the disease. It can't be easy to find yourself in a place that can restrict your freedom, and make you feel like you have no dignity left.
Janet Hepburn has written a fantastic debut novel. I love her writing style, and the flow was wonderful. She has dealt with the subject of Alzheimer's with sensitivity and care. I would definitely read more of this author's books in the future.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you know someone with Alzheimer's or not. - Lynn Worton
This is not my usual genre of book, and when I was first approached about reading this story, I was going to turn it down. However, after reading the synopsis and thinking about it, I decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did, because I LOVED it!
Lillian is a wonderful lady. I loved this feisty octogenarian. I could imagine her as a younger woman with a backbone of steel and a penchant for taking risks. I began to cheer her on, as she embarked on an amazing adventure with her friend Audrey, and a young man called Rayne.
Audrey is also a wonderful character. She is a woman who has not had an easy life, though her mousy demeanor hides her adventurous spirit. Her trusting nature is one thing I loved about her. She is probably the best friend anyone could have, as her loyalty is given to so few.
I started to read this book, expecting it to be a comedic adventure. How wrong I was! This book took me on an amazing adventure with two strong females struck down by a disease that has stripped them of freedom and dignity. I struggled to put this book down, and even then, it was grudgingly when I had to.
Lillan and Audrey, in their "sane" moments, realise that there is more to life than watching TV and taking pills in a nursing home, and plot an escape to have a holiday from the constant, unwanted attention of the well meaning nurses. Their minds, dulled by the disease at times, are incredibly sharp and curious when lucid. This made for some humorous events, including the scene where Rayne was recruited to drive the two ladies from Ottawa to British Columbia. Their journey is full of anecdotes of the lives they once had, which brought these characters to life in my minds eye. Rayne is a troubled young man, but his empathy and sensitivity towards the two older women was very touching. I liked this young man. He is kind, considerate and, although a bit selfish at times, caring. I found the ending to be a bit bittersweet, but I will find that this story will stay with me for some time to come.
Alzheimer's is a disease that, thankfully, has not affected my family. Yet. However, this story has opened my eyes to how people affected by this disease are basically prisoners to it. They have no idea that they are sick, and when the episode has cleared, there is no recollection of their behaviour or actions. However, when they are "normal", they find themselves confined or too drugged to understand. Putting a person with Alzheimer's into a home is a hard decision for a family. However, some people cannot look after their family member/s the way they need, so a home is the only option. Although I have great sympathy for the families affected, I also feel for the person afflicted by the disease. It can't be easy to find yourself in a place that can restrict your freedom, and make you feel like you have no dignity left.
Janet Hepburn has written a fantastic debut novel. I love her writing style, and the flow was wonderful. She has dealt with the subject of Alzheimer's with sensitivity and care. I would definitely read more of this author's books in the future.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, whether you know someone with Alzheimer's or not. - Lynn Worton
February 25, 2017
Great book, should be made into a movie, Janet Hepburn's Flee, Fly, Flown. A fun read,well written about two very endearing old ladies with Alzheimer's who decide to go on vacation from their nursing home!
May 24, 2016
Meet Audrey and Lillian, two ladies with alzheimers who feel like prisoners living at "Tranquil Meadows" nursing home on the locked floor. Lillian hatches a plan that they need to escape and go on vacation without telling anyone. They get their hands on scissors to cut off the arm bands that monitor their whereabouts, get their hands on a car (Lillian kept a set of keys to her car when it was sold to the neighbour boy), get some cash and head off. Lillian is not the best of drivers, so when they meet a nice, young man, Audrey is able to convince him to drive them to B.C. where his home is. It takes a day or two, but "Rayne" finally figures out these are not just two nice old ladies on vacation, there is definitely something wrong with them, and so the fun begins. When they do not want to get caught they decide to call themselves Lucy and Ethel, of course the youngsters they meet do not realize the irony of that. They become like a little family complete with a dog they find along the way. They share information about their lives with one another in between their stops, overnight stays and funny situations.
This is a great road trip story. We gain some insights to the world of dementia as well as the life of someone living in a nursing home that really does not want to be there. We also gain some perspective on the struggles of someone young trying to make their way in the world. The pain and anguish Lillian's family must go through not knowing where she is or if she is hurt was apparent in the brief glimpses with phone calls.
This story gives us an appreciation of what it is like to get older and lose some of your faculties. It also reminds us to be gentle and kind to others, do what you can to help them and sometimes it is important to slow down, admire your surroundings and take a vacation.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great road trip story. We gain some insights to the world of dementia as well as the life of someone living in a nursing home that really does not want to be there. We also gain some perspective on the struggles of someone young trying to make their way in the world. The pain and anguish Lillian's family must go through not knowing where she is or if she is hurt was apparent in the brief glimpses with phone calls.
This story gives us an appreciation of what it is like to get older and lose some of your faculties. It also reminds us to be gentle and kind to others, do what you can to help them and sometimes it is important to slow down, admire your surroundings and take a vacation.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2017
Meet Lillian and Audrey. Two women who live in Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home - called The Home by Lillian - suffering from Alzheimers and yet they have a thirst for adventure and leaving their mundane and monotonous everyday routine. Queue the clever scheme by Lillian to coerce a way to get scissors through craft-making, breaking out, taking a taxi, stealing a car, and driving off into the sunset. Does that sound like a classic road trip book or what?
Except, it isn't. The story is told through Lillian's POV and although I said they are suffering, they truly aren't as they have bursts of energy and spunk. And yet, don't expect this to be a happy-go-lucky read. It's riddled with truth and can be quite sad at times, especially if you have any aging parents or grandparents. Expect this to hit home. You will forget that the two have Alzheimers as Hepburn trails on and explains in vivid detail what Lillian feels, hears, and sees, and then all of a sudden Lillian will be in her 30s, surrounded by her children and husband, and the happy thoughts get tinged with sadness and disorder, not from Lillian, but yourself as a reader.
Hepburn wrote a lovely tale and that which I suggest to anyone who wants to read a story about adventure, heartache, and the meaning of ageing but staying young at heart.
Except, it isn't. The story is told through Lillian's POV and although I said they are suffering, they truly aren't as they have bursts of energy and spunk. And yet, don't expect this to be a happy-go-lucky read. It's riddled with truth and can be quite sad at times, especially if you have any aging parents or grandparents. Expect this to hit home. You will forget that the two have Alzheimers as Hepburn trails on and explains in vivid detail what Lillian feels, hears, and sees, and then all of a sudden Lillian will be in her 30s, surrounded by her children and husband, and the happy thoughts get tinged with sadness and disorder, not from Lillian, but yourself as a reader.
Hepburn wrote a lovely tale and that which I suggest to anyone who wants to read a story about adventure, heartache, and the meaning of ageing but staying young at heart.
March 16, 2014
This is a very touching first novel. The story line is that two ladies with Alzheimer's escape their "secure" retirement home, to take a "vacation". They manage to get their hands on a car (Lillian kept a set of keys to her car when it was sold to the neighbour boy), get some cash and find a nice young man to drive them.
It takes a day or two, but "Rayne" finally figures out these are not just two nice old ladies on vacation. And so the fun begins.
This is a great road trip story. Along the way we get to know Lillian and Audrey and Wayne. We gain some insights to the world of dementia. We gain some perspective on the struggles of someone young trying to make their way in the world.
There's a beautiful line at the end of one the chapters that I think defines this story. "Things are so different when you look more closely at them."
We need stories like these to remind us that sometimes we need to slow down, look more closely, and take the time to appreciate each other.
It takes a day or two, but "Rayne" finally figures out these are not just two nice old ladies on vacation. And so the fun begins.
This is a great road trip story. Along the way we get to know Lillian and Audrey and Wayne. We gain some insights to the world of dementia. We gain some perspective on the struggles of someone young trying to make their way in the world.
There's a beautiful line at the end of one the chapters that I think defines this story. "Things are so different when you look more closely at them."
We need stories like these to remind us that sometimes we need to slow down, look more closely, and take the time to appreciate each other.
February 24, 2014
I very much enjoyed this book, in spite of the fact that both main characters suffered from Alzheimer's. It's laugh-out-loud funny in places, and heartwarming, despite knowing there can be no real "happy ending". I guess it's the same as in real life - we need to find the laughter and love in the journey and just live each day to the fullest.
November 23, 2015
I really enjoyed this book about two elderly women with Alzheimer's who break out of their nursing home and take a road trip across the country. It did not give in to the enormous temptation of making them into cute, twee, feisty Manic Pixie Dream Seniors, but instead made them interesting, grouchy, funny, smart, and sometimes pitiable. You know, like real people. Recommended.
December 4, 2020
I was lucky to find this little Canadian gem. Written in 2013, I believe it’s the author’s only book. Great usage of an unreliable narrator in a touching and hilarious story which presents a wonderful case for respect, autonomy and dignity for our elderly, particularly those in residential care. It’ll literally make you laugh and cry. Recommended!
May 17, 2016
A road trip extraordinary .Two elderly women tired of the rules and regulations of their retirement home make a grand escape.Fleeing on a road trip the only catch they have Alzheimer's.A touching hilarious wonderful novel.
April 29, 2013
Insightful and mordantly funny picaresque novel.
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June 19, 2013Very good - but made me quite sad...
April 18, 2014
This book features a delightfully unreliable narrator (she has Alzheimer's) and a Thelma and Louise-style adventure. Simply delightful.
October 21, 2017
This book would fall into the same vein as other silly senior escapades like the Little Old Lady series or The 100 Year Old Man Who Jumped Out the Window. It follows the same concept of elders being upset that they are in a nursing home and eventually escaping. The only change in this story is it gets darker due to the fact that the two ladies in this book who escape have full blown Alzheimers. I felt like with every forgotten detail or wild adventure, I was supposed to feel like this was lighthearted and funny. It brought the opposite out of me. I just felt really sad for these women. I felt sad when they got worried because they thought it was thirty years back and their children were missing. I felt sad when they were robbed of their purse and they forgot it. I think the author flirted with the line of comedy and drama to her ultimate detriment. If she clearly picked one genre I feel it would have come off as more successful; 3 stars.
January 22, 2024
This book is adorable and heartwarming with just a tinge of sadness as you think about the struggles of Alzheimer’s and how the elderly are treated in today’s society. It brought me a lot of joy to imagine Lillian and Audrey living their best life having escaped from their nursing home. The relationship they build with Rayne along the way is beautiful. Although I enjoyed reading their storey, the ending seemed sudden and out of place, so I’m only giving it four stars. It could have easily flowed on for another few chapters to come to a more natural conclusion.
December 31, 2017
A fun, light read about two women with Alzheimer's who escape from their nursing home to adventure westward across Canada. They meet a street youth, Rayne, who drives them west, figuring out that the women aren't entirely all present, but that they deserve a holiday as much as anyone. It's a sweet book and gently provides insights about Alzheimer's that the author clearly understands.
October 26, 2018
If you want to get inside the head of someone with dementia, this is a good book to read. Two elderly women escape from a memory care seniors home and go on a tear (as the Maritimers would say). But this is told from the perspective of one of the women so you see how she cannot remember and cannot hold a train of thought. It is both funny and sad.
October 30, 2023
A quick but entertaining read about two friends, Lillian and Audrey, who plan an escape from Tranquil Meadows Nursing Home and the mishaps but moments of joy that transpire as they travel from Ottawa towards British Columbia with dementia and a young man who becomes son/ brother/ husband and reliable-unreliable chauffeur in their delusions.
December 1, 2017
Two old ladies with Alzheimer's break out of their nursing home in Ottawa, steal a car and head for the west. It's hilarious in parts, but also very poignant. The author lives in Port Dover, Ontario.
September 26, 2020
I wish this book had made more sense of the hell that is Alzheimer’s disease. I felt the most empathy for the daughter - it is truly a dilemma. I wish my own mother were capable enough to do what these characters did. If only .....
January 19, 2021
It’s a sad comedy. I know it sounds like an oxymoron but that’s the best way to describe it. Couple of senior women break out of a nursing home to have an adventure but the sad part of their mental breakdown due to their condition makes this book sad.
May 18, 2023
A really sweet story that made me think about the experiences of our seniors in nursing homes. ❤️ I found it moved a little slowly and I was dissatisfied with the ending, but I still enjoyed reading it.
September 27, 2017
An quick and easy read full of humour and sorrow.
October 20, 2017
Such an entertaining read! It really makes you think about the quality of life for some of our seniors and how important it is for them to still feel they are living, not just waiting to die.
January 21, 2018
This is a lovely read...at times sad, at times humorous. Very well written!
July 23, 2020
Hilarious and terrifying at the same time.
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