Rachel Reviews: Paradise Cove - They Escaped the Cuckoo's Nest by Pini Dunner

On starting Pini Dunner's book, I was grateful for the thorough history that is provided at the start. This gives a much-needed context in order to enjoy the subsequent letters contained therein. The letters belong to George Nagel, an octagenarian pursuing a psychology degree which in itself would be remarkable; however, it is soon clear that this is just one remarkable thing in a life full of them.

The recipient is Dr. Helen, Nagel's psychology professor and the letters themselves chart Nagel's time volunteering with mental health patients. They are a record of encounters that George had and his impressions of the people who he meets as well as a progress report of sorts on how they are recovering and assimilating back into the world outside the facility.

I had never heard of the "Yabloner Rebbe" but it seems that he was a figure of some renown, although not with a wholly applauded past. Dunner points out that George Nagel of the letters is the same "Yabloner Rebbe" and with the detailed discussion that Dunner provides, it is hard not to make comparisons between the man who we learn was once an influential and controversial figure and the now humble volunteer who listens to those with mental health issues.

I think what I got from reading these letters is two things: a picture of George the volunteer, citing the variety of problems that he explores through his discussion of the people he meets and philosophising as a result; and then there is the man, George who comes out of the text through the way that he chooses to write. He is an observer of people but there is an instinct in him that shows he wants to help; he uses humour to convey his impressions, with a dryness to his style. He shows surprise and delight at the progress that people make and the fact that he may have been instrumental in making a difference.

As a lay-reader, these letters were entertaining to read, offering a view into a world that many of us would hope never to experience. For someone wanting to gain an insight into the "Yabloner Rebbe", then these letters would be like uncovering buried treasure or coming as close as possible to having a conversation with the man himself.

Rachel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC: