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Reviews tagging 'Grief'
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
47 reviews
james1star's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
So I just cried on the bus… um thanks Fredrick for that… and Katie Coulson for the recommendation.
This short story is truly beautiful, telling the story of a grandpa, his son Ted and grandson Noah (adorable omfg he’s so fkn cuteeeee) and how he’s battling dementia. It’s extremely heartbreaking and emotional but so tender and magical too. Despite regrets and some bad memories, we’re given a life to enjoy it, spend time and make memories which those we love and have fun too. We fear death but many fear getting older more and losing the parts that make us; us and this notion is exceptionally highlighted here. Having experienced the impacts of dementia on people around me, I can say it’s horrible for both them and you, Backman perfectly shows this struggle.
Despite being really short, this book really packs a punch with super lovable characters, great messages and the writing/descriptions aren’t impacted either, it’s truly a lovely little read. There are some amazing quotes, a few of my favourite here:
‘We know so little about how the brain works. It's like a fading star right now… When a brain fades it takes a long time for the body to realize.’
‘“Do you remember what I told you about failing?"
"The only time you've failed is if you don't try once more."
"Exactly, Noahnoah, exactly. A great thought can never be kept on Earth.”’
‘Almost all grown adults walk around full of regret over a good-bye they wish they'd been able to go back and say better. Our good-bye doesn't have to be like that, you'll be able to keep redoing it until it's perfect. And once it's perfect, that's when your feet will touch the ground and I'll be in space, and there won't be anything to be afraid of.’
‘… ”Does it hurt on the inside?"
"It hurts less and less. That's one good thing about forgetting things. You forget the things that hurt too.”
"What does it feel like?"
"Like constantly searching for something in your pockets. First you lose the small things, then it's the big ones. It starts with keys and ends with people.”
"Are you scared?"
"A bit. Are you?"
"A bit," the boy admits.”’
‘sometimes I remember that I've forgotten. That's the worst kind of forgetting. Like being locked out in a storm.’
‘"Death isn't fair.”
"No, death is a slow drum. It counts every beat. We can't haggle with it for more time.”
"Beautifully said, my love.”
"I stole it."
Their laughter echoes in each other's chests, and then he says: "I miss all our most ordinary things.”’
‘It’s nice to be understood.’
I 1000% recommend reading this book BUT prepare them tear ducts because it’ll break your heart.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Death and Grief
m4rtt4's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
So beautiful and heart-wrenching, a book which makes you feel better and worse at the same time. My absolute favourite quote: "When your feet touch the ground, I'll be in space" <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Moderate: Death and Terminal illness
mel_s_bookshelf's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Death
annaem's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
vanesst's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
Moderate: Death
ar0142's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia and Grief
spill_the_tea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Ed Sheeran “Afire Love” in a book :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Grief
karina_dreamsinwords's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
”that’s one good thing about forgetting things. you forget the things that hurt too.” 😭❤️🩹
Backman delivers a short yet utterly impactful story as we read about a grandfathers journey with Alzheimer’s.
Make sure to have tissues handy because this one will hit you right in the feels!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This was a devastating and beautiful novella and I loved every minute of it. There are so many lines throughout this book that I highlighted and sent to friends while I fought off tears (I read a lot of this at work so I couldn't just start crying lmao). It was a beautiful and achingly sad portrait of losing someone to dementia, so if you are sensitive to that in particular, this might not be for you. take care of yourselves <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
nojerama's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book was absolutely heartbreaking but breathtakingly beautiful
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
the book is extremely gentle but it deals with very sensitive topics in a very emotional way. I hugely recommend it but read with caution if topics such as Alzheimer's or dementia trigger you, or death of family members especially the elderly