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hannahbaird2023's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved A Man Called Ove but I loved this even more. Such wonderful storytelling!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Infertility, Blood, Dementia, and Murder
my_corner_of_the_library's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fredrik Backman always delivers....and this one blew me out of the water.
Every single character in this book was unique and special with a backstory that was completely their own. The fact that you barely needed to be told who was talking to identify who was speaking because their voices were all so distinct tells you just how masterfully these characters were developed. And yet...despite the fact that they were all so...themselves, I felt like I had a connection with each of them. I could identify people I knew in each character and see myself in each of them, as well.
As for the plot...I felt like I was taken on a ride. Just like anyone, when there is a mystery in a book I constantly look for hints to try and figure out the "big twist", and in this book every time I would think I had it nailed down Backman would show me that the only reason I thought that is because he lead me there on purpose. As soon as I was 100% convinced of my theory he would turn it around and tell me, "Nope! Try again." Only to find out that the things I was so focused on didn't really matter...in a beautiful way.
When it comes to the writing, I cannot express how moved I was. Backman has a way of mixing simple, straight to the point sentences with beautifully expressed sentiments that had me rethinking so many of my own feelings and also made me feel seen and validated in those feelings. If I was highlighting all the quotes that struck me hard in this book there would be entire chapters highlighted.
Solid 5/5
Every single character in this book was unique and special with a backstory that was completely their own. The fact that you barely needed to be told who was talking to identify who was speaking because their voices were all so distinct tells you just how masterfully these characters were developed. And yet...despite the fact that they were all so...themselves, I felt like I had a connection with each of them. I could identify people I knew in each character and see myself in each of them, as well.
As for the plot...I felt like I was taken on a ride. Just like anyone, when there is a mystery in a book I constantly look for hints to try and figure out the "big twist", and in this book every time I would think I had it nailed down Backman would show me that the only reason I thought that is because he lead me there on purpose. As soon as I was 100% convinced of my theory he would turn it around and tell me, "Nope! Try again." Only to find out that the things I was so focused on didn't really matter...in a beautiful way.
When it comes to the writing, I cannot express how moved I was. Backman has a way of mixing simple, straight to the point sentences with beautifully expressed sentiments that had me rethinking so many of my own feelings and also made me feel seen and validated in those feelings. If I was highlighting all the quotes that struck me hard in this book there would be entire chapters highlighted.
Solid 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Infertility, and Pregnancy