Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

60 reviews

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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adventurous challenging dark sad
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Complicated

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dark emotional 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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: No

This book is such a complex and beautiful representation of friendship. 

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emotional funny 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: Complicated

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful 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

Fredrik Backman has not only such a unique way of seeing the world but also of writing stories that inspires you to reflect on and appreciate the transcendent interconnections between ordinary moments and ordinary lives. I wish I could see the world in this way all the time, but I can’t so I read Backman’s books instead.

I finished the book sobbing and laughing AT THE SAME TIME! How it is possible to elicit such strong distinct emotions in me is beyond my understanding, but that is the beauty of Backman’s writing.

Once again, I must recognize Neil Smith for the incredible translation into English. If something was lost in translation, I don’t even think it matters because it is perfect as it is.

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medium-paced
Loveable characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This BOOK!!!! Not surprising for a Fredrik Backman book, but this broke me and put me back together over and over again. It did take me a while to get into, probably about 20%, to the point where I didn't think it'd be 5 stars for me. But once the momentum hit with the main character pairing, he had me and never let go. I love every one of these characters (except most of the parents, obviously). What more could I want than a book about the magic of friends, love, and art?

Also I am shocked I am saying all of this about a book that talks about farts SO frequently. You've been warned. But it's worth it!!

TW: I do want to say I think this is one of his heavier books, though it of course still has a lot of humor and joy. All of his books deal with some heavy themes, but this one gets really into abuse. (more specifically: domestic abuse, child abuse, suicide, suicidal ideation, cancer, death, foster home)

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emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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: N/A

It’s hard to review FB books because they’re all so well written, what do you say about it? I laughed a lot in this book, I think this is his funniest book to date of the ones I’ve read. It was dark, but in a way that makes you feel okay in the end. There are so many good lines in this book, I’m sure I’ll be back to read again. 

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