Member Reviews

I love and feel for 80 year old Rose, a dementia patient living in memory care. She jumbles her words, which Bruce Nash handles expertly and some days are better than others but she knows that something is amiss when her scrabble buddy falls from a window and she stops at nothing to figure it out. I loved it...and her.

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy. It is my pleasure to write an honest review.

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This poignant, profound, and hilarious book highly entertained me. I can understand that it will not appeal to all readers. It is narrated from the rambling perspective of an elderly woman living in a senior care home. She has mobility issues and must use a walker. She calls herself Rose but rarely remembers her actual name. Rose is a most unreliable narrator, as her story contains many repetitions, forgotten or confused words, and failure to remember recent and past events.

She lives in a good senior residence but does not participate in the activities which are unknown or forgotten. I was thoroughly engaged in her story as we are of the same age and with mobility problems. If I share her loss of words and memory issues, I don't remember. The people in her residence have single rooms, whereas my residence consists of one and two-bedroom apartments. Rose immensely enjoyed her room. Her window overlooked trees and a park where other residents could only view the car park from their windows. She was forced to move to a less desirable room when someone who could pay more was given her room.

She has frequent visits from her son, who works in finance and whom she adores. They share her account, but she cannot access it. She keeps forgetting her password but won't admit it. Her daughter spends her visits cleaning the bathtub, watering her plants, and praying. The two teenage granddaughters spend their time on their phones.

Rose misses her best friend, who was in a wheelchair. They loved to play Scrabble, and both took pride in cheating. This friend was found dead after falling through her window onto the pavement below. She saw the dead body on the ground but forgets she is dead. There is now an unresponsive man in her friend's room, but attempts to get him to play Scrabble are useless. Among the main characters in charge of the residence are the Care Manager (doctor), whom she calls the 'Scare Manager,' and the Angry Nurse. She loves the 'Nice Boy Who Mops the Floors' and tries to befriend him. He is transgendered, has Aspergers, and has Dyslexia. He transitioned from female to male, and there are no bathrooms that he is allowed to use. When Rose tries to speak with him, he only utters vulgar swear words, but she may have misheard and misinterpreted his remarks. As he seems to be changing back to female, he starts to use Rose's bathroom, which gladdens her.

Another resident Rose likes is 'The Man Who Doesn't Live Here.' He insists he has a comfortable home and a fine car. The man becomes quite troubled as he suspects funds are being stolen from his account. Rose suspects the same thing but forgets her password and cannot check. Her son may be having financial trouble and be embezzling her money. This does not bother her as much as the doctor (Scare Manager) shows signs of increasing prosperity while people are moved to less desirable rooms. Her dead friend told her that money was being laundered in the basement. She also mentioned vampires were carrying out rituals there. What to believe?

Although Rose doesn't know all the recreation available in the building, she is fascinated by the fire stairway next to the elevator, used when the elevator is out of commission. She believes a fire is burning at the bottom of the steep stairs and fears she will fall or be pushed into the fire. She also thinks the Angry Nurse intends to smother her when bringing her new pillows.

She remembers her first marriage and how she deserted her two children for another man and his love. She must beg their forgiveness. The 'Nice Boy' helps them access the internet, and they learn of fraud, embezzlement, and mistreatment, and worse when residents are having difficulty paying. Could it have led to the murder of her friend? One day, Rose demands that her family gather to discuss her account. They are excited to see the parking lot filled with police cars and someone being led away by police. Will their situation improve?
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this entertaining and thought-provoking book by Bruce Nash.. Its publication is due July 01, 2025

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I was able to read All the Words We Know by Bruce Nash in one sitting. It was a fun and quick read.

The story is a poignant and engaging tale that brilliantly combines humor and heartache. The story centers around Rose, an octogenarian navigating the murky waters of dementia, who proves that age is just a number when it comes to uncovering the truth. The author's portrayal of Rose is well done; I feel she is a character that will resonate with readers. Her moments of sharpness amid forgetfulness provide both comedic relief and insightful reflections on life, memory, and the relationships that shape us.

The narrative is filled with interesting descriptions of the assisted living facility, providing a glimpse into the lives of its eclectic residents and staff, each with their own stories and secrets. The central mystery of Rose’s investigation into her friend's death adds an interesting layer to the narrative. As she uncovers hidden truths, the plot mixes themes of friendship, loss, and the lies we tell ourselves and others. The story is a good reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

All the Words We Know will resonate with anyone who has grappled with the bittersweet nature of aging and memory. In conclusion, the story is a good narrative filled with warmth, humor, and a touch of mystery. This novel is definitely a must-read for those who enjoy stories that tug at the heartstrings while showcasing the strength of an unforgettable protagonist.

#NetGalley @AtriaBooks

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All the Words We Know by Bruce Nash was a funny, poignant book. Fans of Fredrick Bachman will enjoy this book.

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I made it to the 60% point on this book before I put it down. For me, do feel I have read enough to give some feedback at this point. However, please take my rating with a grain of salt.

Now I loved the humor in this one. It was an easy read. I love the protagonist, and I loved the first person narration.

Where it fell short? I felt like I was almost reading the same joke, same line, same chapter almost, every chapter. When there is a lot of repetition and an unreliable narrator, that is a mix I have learned that I do not personally enjoy in books. If this is something that you can see yourself loving, read this one!!

If you enjoyed the Thursday Murder Club, I think you will enjoy this one. It really is a fun read,

Thank you for allowing me to gain access to an ARC copy of this book! I am leaving this review and feedback voluntarily.

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