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Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Mental illness
Crying.
Smiling.
All on a loop. Frdrik Backman, the writer that you are! I think this might be in my top 3 Fredrik Backman books. No, cuz why?! Why?! Only he can make a book about a painting worthwhile. His storytelling is like no other, and just when you think you know what's going on, you just DON'T! The way he writes is unlike that of any other author; no one can compare to his writing style. Ted is literally my spirit animal. There are so many worthwhile lines in here. The commentary on friendship, adulthood, abuse, death, fear, etc was so well done. I feel like his writing really shines here. Would definitely re-read this book (and I don't re-read)
Honestly, although I love Fredrik Backman, I've never rated a single one of his books 5 stars, unfortunately (I'm very picky when it comes to 5 stars). And I think it comes down to the fact that although I'm in love with his writing style, he does do a lot of telling rather than showing. And I felt like in this book, although I loved all the characters (even warmed up to Ali), I wasn't too connected with them because I felt like we were getting told a lot of things very abruptly, instead of it progressing like an actual story would, if that makes sense. And it's because of that where I felt that disconnect towards them; I didn't feel that emotional tug, you know that would push this to be 5-stars for me!
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed this one. I don't think there will ever be a time when I don't enjoy a Fredrik Backman book, really. Shout-out to his translator and Marin Ireland, the narrator. She always does a phenomenal job narrating his books.
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Violence, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Death of parent
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Blood, Death of parent
actually an insanely beautiful depiction of art and life and pain and joy
i’m starstruck and literally procrastinated finishing the book (paused at 99% for a bit) because i didn’t want the book to end and for the time to come when i have to depart from the world the characters live in
but i suppose they’ll all be in my heart somewhere still
i think i could literally write essays on this book — the book will see me again soon i hope
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Animal death
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism
Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol
This heartbreakingly beautiful book felt like realizing your last good summer has already happened. But then being gifted the knowledge that stories aren’t linear like we were told back then.
I loved this so much.
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol