A wickedly funny and genuinely moving novel about memory, language and love, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and The One-Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Jumped Out the Window.
Rose is in her eighties and has dementia, but she’s not done with life just yet. Alternately sharp as a tack and spectacularly forgetful, she spends her days roaming the corridors of her aged-care facility, ruminating on the staff and residents and enduring visits from her emotionally distant children and granddaughters. But when her friend is found dead after an apparent fall from a window, Rose embarks on an eccentric and deeply personal investigation to discover the truth and exposes all manner of secrets – even some from her own past.
All the Words We Know is a wickedly funny and genuinely moving story about loneliness, language and how we make sense of the world.
Buy a copy of All the Words We Know here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
All The Words We Know, is a fantastically witty and heartwarming look into the world of dementia care and memory loss. The story follows 80-year-old Rose on a quest to find the cause of the death of her friend. Following Rose on her journey through crime investigation, while battling her dementia, is both humourous, surprising and deeply moving. As we discover secrets and past memories with Rose and build relationships with the characters, we develop a deep connection with her story and investment in what will be revealed. It is a fantastic exploration of the themes of ageing, memory loss and dementia, the complexities of family, loss and love, aged-care and corruption and is a story that I devoured quickly and hungrily. I was eager to add this to my to-be-read list and it did not disappoint! Aleacia, NSW, 5 stars
“All the Words We Know” by Bruce Nash is a wickedly funny and genuinely moving novel about memory, language, and love. Set in an aged-care facility, the story revolves around Rose, an octogenarian with dementia. Alternating between moments of sharp clarity and forgetfulness, Rose embarks on a personal investigation when her friend is found dead after a fall from a window. As she unravels secrets, including some from her own past, the novel explores loneliness and how we navigate the complexities of the world. Nash’s wordplay sparkles throughout the narrative, adding depth and charm. Despite the darkly humorous tone, the novel beautifully captures the essence of humanity. Readers will find themselves speaking Rose’s musings aloud, reveling in their gorgeous rhythms. “All the Words We Know” is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and heartfelt moments. If you enjoy stories that explore the intricacies of memory and language, this novel is worth adding to your reading list. Roxana, VIC, 5 stars
Just WOW, Bruce Nash has captured the very essence of living with dementia from an insider’s perspective. Nash’s writing style using all the words we know gives an achingly real depiction of the intricacies of a failing memory. Clever, funny and at times downright wicked, the main character who may or may not be Rose, leads us through her days in a care facility and shows that some important things stay intact when all else seems just outside the grasp of recollection. I loved everything about this book and all the rollercoaster emotions that it drew; at times unable to put it down and at others unable to pick it up. Give this excellent read a try, it is a five out of five from me! Jenny, QLD, 5 stars
Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal parts this novel follows Rose who has dementia. Her mental decline and unreliable memory make trying to solve a mystery, which the reader is unsure is actually real, difficult – does she just have an overactive imagination? The author focuses on the decline of Rose’s vocabulary and her words in a humorous way – her ‘power of eternal’ for example and the ‘scare manager’ and the frustration both she and her children feel in communicating. Her grandchildren’s utter disinterest in what is going on around them and the absolute focus on their phones is relatable. Rose’s true personality is still there underneath all the forgetfulness, being accepting of things she doesn’t understand. The author uses repetition of phrases and paragraphs to echo Rose’s loss of memory. At times the reader is unsure if Rose’s memories are real or made up especially when she is talking about dramatic events that occur in the home. All of which makes the ending of the novel very satisfactory. I found this novel to be genuinely moving having had a grandmother who suffered with dementia – a horrible disease no words can describe. Debra, NSW, 5 stars
Rose is a former teacher, in her 80s, who lives in an aged care home. Her regular visitors are a daughter who only has time to water pot plants in Rose’s bath, and a son who pays for his mum’s room from her account, because he has the Power of Eternal. And she has two granddaughters, Felicity and Charity. Or is it Chastity? Or even Electricity and Chutney? Rose’s main problem is she doesn’t remember to forget. Or does she? And is that why one of her favorite flowers is the Myosotis scorpioides, better known as the forget-me-not? But Rose is convinced that there’s something mysterious about the death of her friend who lived in a nearby room and, to solve the problem, she has to rekindle memories. Author Bruce Nash has crafted a brilliant novel, one that will have readers laughing and crying simultaneously. His wordplay is brilliant throughout and the story rolls along with puns and jokes. In the end, it lives through the creation of the unforgettable Rosie, a character readers will remember for years. Don, SA, 5 stars
All The Words We Know is a delightfully poignant novel whose main character, Rose, navigates her way around her small world…a nursing home. At times she forgets words, but does eventually work them out. She has a son and daughter who regularly visit…but give out vibes that Rose is a nuisance to them. As Rose ‘investigates’ the death of her friend the reader tags along on her journey. A poignant story of memory, loss and love. I enjoyed it immensely. Denise, NSW, 5 stars
This is an unforgettable read that has stayed with me long after finishing. I loved the time I spent with Rose, a lady in her eighties with dementia, who lives in an aged care facility. She was such a wonderful character. Simultaneously quick-witted and plagued with the symptoms that accompany dementia. As someone with a parent in aged care, I felt Bruce Nash’s portrayal was deeply moving and accurate. In some ways, it hit close to home. I enjoyed the unique wordplay, the rhythm, and how various layers were revealed. The dark humour made me smile, and the emotional depth continues to linger. Highly recommend to those after an excellent, thought-provoking book. Rowan, TAS, 5 stars
Bruce Nash’s “All the Words We Know” took me on an unexpectedly delightful journey through the lens of dementia with its protagonist, Rose. Despite the underlying sadness of Rose’s condition, Nash’s narrative style infused the story with a tongue-in-cheek humour that resonated deeply with me. The short, punchy chapters kept me eagerly turning the pages, eager to uncover more of Rose’s world and her unique perspective on life. What stood out to me most was Nash’s ability to blend humour and profound insight seamlessly. Amidst the challenges, there were moments of genuine hilarity and unexpected wisdom that left a lasting impression. As I immersed myself in Rose’s story, I found myself laughing one moment and reflecting deeply the next, struck by the complexities of the human experience portrayed on the page. An exciting read and challenging perspective from a first person narrative about the complexities of living with dementia but cleverly delivered! Debbie, VIC, 4 stars
This was a heartwarming and heartbreaking tale all in one. You get a window in the mind of Rose as she loses tough with her memories through words. The frustrations of her family and carers is palpable as she slides further from her past. It is touching to see how kindly her mind views those vulnerable around her. A lovely read and reminder of how cherished our memory is. Tina, QLD, 4 stars
A distinct voice, a special story delivered in a gentle way. Following Rose’s loves, wanting her to grasp on to her life. Flowers, birds, and banter, the author uses words in the most magnificent way. Words while confused and mixed up by Rose, were clever, unique and an alluring way to use a unique narrative for the reader. Refreshing storytelling, and I do look forwatd to more! I have never seen such creative and layered ideas. Suzanne, NSW, 4 stars
A story about everything and nothing at the same time. So beautifully written, and poetically repetitive! Charming, captivating, and full of character. A slow story, but a fast read – because I could not put it down. Rose is wonderful. Highly recommended. Danae, TAS, 4 stars
It took quite a while for me to truly get invested in this story…. but once I did, I loved it! Would highly recommend even though it took a few chapters to get in to the groove of the writing technique Bruce used. Vaughan, WA, 4 stars
Rosie is in her eighties and has dementia. She is in a nursing home and this book details in a very humorous way her description of what happens as well as what has happened in her past life, sometimes with very funny recollections of words. Despite her dementia, Rose can see that things are not as they should be, and her bumbling actions reveal that the home where she is living is not all that it should be. Her obsession with her password to her account finally reveals anomalies at the home and in a final act of changing her password, Rose exposes the goings on at the home. In Rose’s words, change is good. Lisa, SA, 4 stars
This book was quite unique being written in the first person from the point of view of someone suffering from dementia. Even though it was well done I can’t say that I personally enjoyed that perspective. I did love the nice short chapters that kept me turning the pages to finish just one more chapter. I am not sure I could have finished it without this. I generally read as a means to relax and unwind and for me this perspective didn’t give me that due to the scattered perspective. Overall the storyline was a slow burn but I did grow to appreciate the characters by the end, even as all of the bitter family secrets came out. Even thought it wasn’t quite my cup of tea I was still able to appreciate how skillfully the unique perspective was done. Virginia, NSW, 4 stars
All the Words We Know by Bruce Nash is a story about an 80-year-old woman named Rose. Rose’s life is now confined to the corridors and rooms of her nursing home. Her friend has mysteriously died and she has a suspicious feeling that things are not what they seem. However, Rose’s memory is fading. Her thoughts are filled with words, repeating themselves until they make some sort of sense to her. Her days are filled with attempts at remembering current and past events while her family visits her. She is always confused, and it seems as though the people around her, including her family, are just as confused at her. I thought this was a really touching depiction of a patient and explores the nature of a patient who is going through dementia. Rose’s thoughts are full of love and humour and makes this insightful, lighthearted at times and a very enjoyable read. Julie, VIC, 4 stars
This book was like a maze, or maybe a labyrinth – I knew it was going somewhere but I never knew quite where I was, nor what the destination was. But it didn’t matter at all, because the journey itself was so enjoyable. I found Rose to be a highly appealing character and I really cared about her. I loved the way Nash slowly drew me into an understanding of the way Rose experienced the world around her, and the way I began to consider what it might be like to live with dementia. Very glad I got to read an advance copy of this! Bethany, NSW, 4 stars
A funny and charming story that makes you wonder how amazingly our brain works as we grow older, we just have to be patient and we’ll get there in the end. Gai, NSW, 4 stars
Rose has dementia and is living in aged care and has a great deal of trouble finding the right word the first time. With some clever and hilarious attempts to get to the right word she gives us an insight into life in the aged care system and family visits. The Scare Manager, or whatever he is, is more focused on corporate jargon than actual care and Rose is worried something fishy is going on after her friend falls out of a window. She embarks on her own investigation along with the boy who mops the floors. We get to learn about the love of Rose’s life, her busy children and grandchildren with very busy thumbs. Rose’s voice took a little bit of time to get used to, but once I got into the book, I really enjoyed it. Jodi, QLD, 4 stars
Rose has dementia and the story follows her through her forgetfulness and moments of clarity as she tries to navigate her way through life in the nursing home. Rose tries to make people understand her while sometimes enjoying a laugh at her expense. The use of language in this story is very important as Rose doesn’t always remember the correct word. The title of the book is very apt “Accountant? White ant? Pissant? is a good example of this. I also like “Head over heels. Head over heals.” Very clever. People: Told in first person through Rose’s eyes, we can see how people treat her. The “Scare Manager” and the “Angry Nurse” treat her as though she’s stupid, dumbing down the way they talk to her. Or is this a reflection of how society perceives people with dementia? Her son steals from her and her daughter doesn’t really show any interest in her and her granddaughters would rather be anywhere else. The son has a “Power of Eternal”. And it just goes to show how easy it is to take advantage of her. It truly was an insight into how people with dementia can be treated. Place: I loved the imagery. This included the wall of walkers and wheelchairs at mealtimes, the grey looking meatballs and of course the never-ending bingo. It also showed how routine and mundane aged care facilities are. Is there a better way? Pacing and Prose: At times I found the writing style monotonous and frustrating, but I guess that is the whole point isn’t it? Performance: I think anyone can relate to this story as we all know of someone who suffers from dementia. A unique and insightful and funny read. Thank you to Better Reading for an advanced reader’s copy. #BRPreview @betterreadingau Corinne, SA, 4 stars
“All the Words We Know” is a fantastic read that provides a profound insight into the confusion of its main character, Rose. With poignant language and elegant simplicity, complex layers are peeled away to reveal the essence of an older woman navigating the maze of dementia. Rose’s alternating sharpness and forgetfulness make her an endearing and relatable character. The novel is wickedly funny and genuinely moving, exploring memory, language, and love themes. Rose’s eccentric and deeply personal investigation into her friend’s death exposes not only external secrets but also those buried within her past. The book skillfully weaves a tale of loneliness and the human quest to make sense of the world. The author’s use of language, clever wordplay, and puns give the story a distinct and bold flavour. The mixture of dark humour, originality, and emotional depth make “All the Words We Know” remarkable. Like a rare and exquisite bird, the novel provides readers with an immersive experience that is both entertaining and profound. The central mystery’s tension and Rose’s introspective thoughts create a captivating narrative that stays with you long after the final page.” Charmaine, QLD, 4 stars
Bruce Nash masterfully captures the nuances of Rose’s perspective, immersing readers in the challenges and joys of her world. The author’s use of humor adds a delightful touch, creating a balance that elevates the storytelling. The narrative unfolds with a gentle rhythm, allowing readers to empathize with Rose’s journey as she navigates the labyrinth of fading memories. Nash’s portrayal of aging is both tender and realistic, portraying the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. The humor woven into the narrative not only provides moments of levity but also serves as a poignant reminder of the power of laughter in the face of adversity. Overall, a brilliantly crafted exploration of memory, aging, and the enduring human spirit. Nash’s ability to capture the essence of an elderly woman’s perspective makes this novel a compelling and heartwarming read for anyone seeking a nuanced portrayal of life in an aged care home. Stalla, VIC, 4 stars
All the Words We Know follows the life of 80-year-old Rose, a dementia patient living in aged care. Rose has good days and bad days with her memory and despite her confusion Rose realises something is not quite right when her Scrabble friend mysteriously falls out of her bedroom window. Rose has glimpses of her former life and a head full of words that sometimes don’t come out quite right, however she still has some fight left in her yet. Thanks to Better Reading and Australian author, Bruce Nash, for my ARC. Sharah, QLD, 4 stars
I enjoyed reading All the Words We Know. I was firmly on the main character’s side, in her quest to uncover what is going on in her aged care facility, if she can only remember what she was going to do next. Bruce Nash explores the intricacies of language and memory beautifully. Emma QLD 4
All the Words we Know was a very interesting book about dementia. I understood the book very well as have helped look after an aunt with dementia and have done some work in nursing homes so the language in the book was very familiar. The brain is an amazing piece of of your body but it can be easily changed through dementia. Very cleverly written from the person with dementia about how they think and the confusion they find themselves in. Trying to find words and being paranoid about certain things. A condition none of us wish to get or anyone close to you. A book that really makes you think about life. Kaye, VIC, 4 stars
All the Words We Know is a unique and captivating story about Rose who has dementia and is investigating strange happenings around her care facility. Despite her forgetfulness Rose proves that she still knows what’s going on. Bruce Nash has cleverly written this book from Rose’s perspective, making this a lighthearted and entertaining read. Erena, VIC, 3 stars
Set in a stereotypical age care facility, Rose encounters all the usual characters, the bureaucracy and red tape of the staff and its quirky residents. The family dynamic is one of frustration but care and obligation towards Rose. Rose’s “ground hog day” fluctuates depending on her level of confusion at any given time. Her thoughts and internal dialogue are shrewd, sometimes crude and her play on words oh so funny! She knows just the right time to bluff. An enjoyable and relatable read from one whose own parent is at this time of life and lightness of being. Dolores, QLD, 3 stars
How is it possible to both enjoy reading a book, and yet be so frustrated while turning the pages? Perhaps that is what the writer was trying to achieve, showing us the mind of a dementia patient in all its curious twists and turns. If so, he succeeded spectacularly! I found the repetition and constant play on words became tedious after a while. Perhaps this says more about me than the writer. Being still young enough not to worry about dementia, I perhaps lack the patience to dawdle through all the various ways of saying the same thing in different ways. I just wanted to find out where the story went! I did enjoy the storyline and characters, but the style of writing is not my cup of tea. Yvonne, NSW, 3 stars
Rosie is an intriguing lady -80 years old, suffering with dementia and navigating her way through the nursing home, her relationships with her children and grandaughters and her past. When her wheelchair bound friend is found dead after apparently falling from a window, Rosie embarks on her own jumbled investigation. The story is told in first person by Rosie as Nash cleverly takes you through Rosie’s confusion, moments of clariety and her attempts to both accept her memories loss and fight to retrieve words, memories and self. At times this is not an easy read, the book makes you question what is going on and what is real, with then some clarity to staedy you (and Rosie) on the journey. This book will hit home to anyone with a family member going through dementia. Jennifer, QLD, 3 stars
Rose is in her eighties and lives in an aged care home. She has dementia and there are times when she is quite confused and forgetful and other times when she is quite lucid. The story begins with Rose telling us that her friend was found dead in the carpark of the facility and Rose makes it her business to investigate and discover the truth. Her funny names for the staff and other residents and her confusion with memories, words and scenarios made for some very funny reading. She manages to discover some secrets of her past and some secrets about her family during her quest for the truth. This was quite an emotional book for me as my mother had dementia and you never really know what is going through their minds. I quite enjoyed the book and found it was unique and funny although monotonous and repetitive for the reader. I guess that’s what dementia is for the sufferer and those in aged care – repetitive and monotonous! Robyn, VIC, 3 stars
Rose is in her eighties and has dementia. This is her story, at least the bits she can remember. And with remembering, the story may change. She wanders the halls of her care residence, using her walker, and is quite nosey. This story revolves around the death of her friend. As Rose pokes her nose in, secrets are revealed. It’s a unique book, somewhat playful and quite profound. It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the words but one there, I couldn’t put the book down. Liesl, NSW, 3 stars
This book had me laughing and reminiscing about growing up watching Mother and Son, as Rose reminds me of the Mother. I liked the names of the characters, ‘The nice boy who mops the floor’, ‘The scare Manager ‘, ‘The angry Nurse.’ ‘The man that doesn’t live there.’ I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but then I found the story become really repetitive and I skimmed over those parts. I think it was a good book, but the first half was better than the last half. I loved the concept of this book, unique, funny and enjoyable read. Rebecca, VIC, 3 stars
This was a very unusual book and I loved the humour of it. Having spent a lot of time visiting people in care it struck a note with me, though in our country care homes no ones wanders/wonders about in food stained nighties lol. The main character, Rose, seems to have a wonderful imagination and had a wide vocabulary in her earlier life, which comes across in amusing ways. I wasn’t sure when I started it but as I got into it I had to keep reading to find answers about her. I had a giggle relating to her children and her grandaughters with their fast thumbs. Enjoyable. Tracey, NSW, 3 stars
This book was not for me. I really loved the idea of this book, and I so wanted to love it. I still love the idea of this book, and the story within it, however the writing style, whilst completely in keeping with the book, I found extremely jarring, and I was constantly trying to remain engaged in the book. This jarring style of writing made the book a bit of a challenge to finish. But finish I did, because all in all it is a beautiful story. Tracey, NSW, 3 stars
This book is certainly an original book about words but they are mainly forgotten words. Rose is living in an age-care facility and she is very lucky as her family visit often even her teenage granddaughters. Rose is ambient and loves to roam the corridors pushing her walker and looking for her friend. But she is forgetting, she is forgetting the most important things. Passwords are forgotten, words are forgotten. Meredith, TAS, 3 stars
Providing an insight into the world of someone living with dementia, ‘All the Words We Know’ is a story about remembering what’s important and remembering to forget what’s not important. Cleverly constructed to combine present-day issues facing the younger generation from an older generation’s viewpoint whilst intertwined with a series of masterful mysteries dappled with touches of humour. Unfortunately, I found the first part of the story tedious and repetitious which made progress slow, but the last 70 pages were definitely worth the wait. Sue, NSW, 2 stars
Thank you for the opportunity to read and review “All the Words We Know” by Bruce Nash. First off I need to say that I found this book quite difficult to read as it’s written from the perspective of Rose, an eight-something lady who lives in a nursing home and is suffering with dementia, as I am currently dealing with my father and his dementia. Rose has great difficulty expressing her thoughts, and she mixes her words constantly. This made the book challenging to read as I wanted to correct her all the time. Rose spends her days roaming the corridors of her nursing home interacting with the other residents and staff, whom she has strong opinions. The interaction between Rose and her daughter is strained and her granddaughters don’t seem too interested in her, whereas her son is just trying to do the right thing for his mum. Rose thinks there are secrets that need to be discovered, especially passwords. I feel that this book just goes in circles and has no real purpose or plot. I have to admit that I could not finish this book, I’m so sorry. Jackie, VIC, 1 star
Leave a Reply