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bookish_slagathor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.5
This book gave me some serious emotional whiplash.
One chapter I was smiling, next I was bawling my eyes out, confusing the hell out of my fiancée and my cats.
This was my first venture into Backman’s books and I can already feel that I will have a wonderfully toxic relationship with his books where he makes me smile, laugh, promising a wonderful but somewhat bittersweet time and then unexpectedly stabs me in the heart repeatedly.
And I will keep coming back, wanting more.
Backman’s prose is truly something else. I can’t say if this is true of him in general, so anyone who has read several of his works feel free to add your two Swedish kronas, but he takes mundane people and pretty depressing concepts and uses utterly absurd humor to make it seem less… well, depressing as hell.
The only reason why I didn’t give it five stars is the somewhat open ending, which in general I am not a fan of.
Still, definitely a book I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone okay with being hurt by words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse
martapsalvado's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
2.75
If I had a nickel for every time I disliked a Fredrik Backman book about a grumpy elderly person who finds the importance of community, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.
To be fair, I didn't totally dislike this book. During the first half I was considering DNFing, mainly because it was very repetitive, but for some reason I didn't and I don't regret it. I had a weird relationship with this book- I liked the author's humour and the message that he was trying to convey and found some really good passages, but didn't love the plot, nor cared that much about the characters.That said, the second half of the book was a little more fast-paced and it became more interesting and less repetitive (or did I just start skimming through the repetitions? 👀).
I understand why so many readers love Backman's stories, but maybe they're just not for me.
To be fair, I didn't totally dislike this book. During the first half I was considering DNFing, mainly because it was very repetitive, but for some reason I didn't and I don't regret it. I had a weird relationship with this book- I liked the author's humour and the message that he was trying to convey and found some really good passages, but didn't love the plot, nor cared that much about the characters.That said, the second half of the book was a little more fast-paced and it became more interesting and less repetitive (or did I just start skimming through the repetitions? 👀).
I understand why so many readers love Backman's stories, but maybe they're just not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Violence and Alcohol
trekkifulshay's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death
candiemarsh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
This was a nicely paced read. I'd say it's a "feel good" book, with some emotional moments. Great character development; the characters grow to be more lovable as you go on with the story. It's the kind of read that isn't too heavy but at the same time makes you reflect.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
bessadams's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Violence, and Car accident
Minor: Medical content
brookebatesratesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
avasbookmark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
This was a perfect book. All the warm fuzzies 🥰laurataylor's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
mikarala's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The first 100 pages or so of this one were rough. Britt-Marie is intentionally written as a frustrating busybody, and even knowing she'd grow out of it, it was hard to sit through that. I also found the prose surprisingly juvenile compared to the only other Backman novel I've read, Beartown, although again I think that's a function of Britt-Marie's very idiosyncratic worldview and way of thinking. For those reasons, I can't really rate this one any higher.
However, the character growth is extremely satisfying in this novel, and the way the whole cast of characters interact with each other is really enjoyable. I particularly loved the bond developed between Britt-Marie and Sami, andthe climax with Sami's premature death was incredibly moving. I also like that the conclusion wasn't so neat and easy, as it felt like a good reflection of real life. Overall, I would recommend this novel, with the caveat that you do need to suffer through the first third or so before it gets really good.
However, the character growth is extremely satisfying in this novel, and the way the whole cast of characters interact with each other is really enjoyable. I particularly loved the bond developed between Britt-Marie and Sami, and
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Death of parent
crochet_bby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
5.0
this book had me holding back tears at work. absolutely just as good as Anxious People. 10/10.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief