Grey Nomad by Alison Ferguson

When seventy year old knitter Joyce Campbell steps onto an alien spaceship for the first time, her lifelong dream is fulfilled. But when the ship launches and she zooms away from her husband and all that she knows, Joyce is cast off into an adventure she could never have imagined. Before long Joyce is tangled up in intergalactic intrigue as she finds herself with surprising new allies and abilities which put her at the center of a conflict that could determine the future of the galaxy – not to mention Earth. If Joyce and her new-found crew are to save the day, one thing’s for sure: she can’t just stick to her knitting anymore.

This is a hilarious and heart-warming coming-of-age story unlike any you’ve read before. From the beginning to the end, you will be absorbed into Joyce’s life in space while also having a nice viewpoint into rural Australia. Not to mention, Joyce’s dickie knees or over-taxed bladder getting the best of her while committing intergalactic espionage!

The world-building and politics are both soundly created and once you throw in a bunch of humans, things are going to get messy. However, thanks to Joyce and her skills as a CWS member, it’s never a dull or over the top moment. You will fall in love with all the characters and get swept up in their dramatic adventure; while also trying to figure out who is the real evil mastermind and can we trust them long enough to get back to Earth.

This debut novel by Ferguson is written beautifully and I hope everyone gives this masterpiece the attention it deserves.

Reviewed by Diane Stewart
Library Assistant