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sophie1_xox's review against another edition
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Summary
Witty characters, cracking humour, intriguing plot - this is a book you don't want to miss! The characters are unique, impactful, relatable, and fascinating. The plot was captivating, intriguing and provided enough support to really allow the characters to flourish. A bit of a slower pace of book but listening to the audio really allowed me to slow down myself and stop trying to guess everything that was happening at every second.
Characters
These characters were absolutely wonderful! The distinction in the accents from the narrator was brilliant and really helped to sell the personality. I felt like I knew them just from hearing the words "How's Trix?". Backman did an excellent job distinguishing them all and, to an extent, presenting them as caricatures whilst still providing them with aspects that made them super relatable. There is not one person in this book that you will not be able to make a single connection with.
My personal fave was Zara. Her bluntness and how she twists her conversations with her therapist around were just genius! Spent lots of time laughing out loud with this book.
Plot
My favourite part of this whole book was how interconnected all the characters were. The links between the man on the bridge and the police officer, Zara, and Zara's therapist. The way they all shared bits of each other. The fact that the bank robber was a woman! That one was super interesting because I still felt sympathy when I has assumed it was a man which, in most cases, women committing crimes feel like they gain more sympathy than men. I felt that the entire book was wonderfully well written with brilliant comedic lines that I am definitely going to use in my day-to-day life. Specifically, that wonderful quote: "If the grass is greener on the other side, it's probably full of shit". Don't know if Backman came up with that or just adapted it but I haven't heard it before and adore it!
My only downside with this book was that it tended to be a bit on the slow side and once the plot had resolved, my interest tended to tail off a little bit.
Overall
This is definitely a book that I wouldn't recommend to everyone. The focus on the characters and their relationships was perfect for me, however if you go into it expecting intrigue and suspense, that's not what you'll get. The characters bounced off each other brilliantly and the excellent one liners reminded me a lot of Pratchett. The subtle morals were brilliant in helping the book not feel preachy whilst also leaving you feeling satisfied and happy at the end. Wonderful book - 4.5 stars from me.
Witty characters, cracking humour, intriguing plot - this is a book you don't want to miss! The characters are unique, impactful, relatable, and fascinating. The plot was captivating, intriguing and provided enough support to really allow the characters to flourish. A bit of a slower pace of book but listening to the audio really allowed me to slow down myself and stop trying to guess everything that was happening at every second.
Characters
These characters were absolutely wonderful! The distinction in the accents from the narrator was brilliant and really helped to sell the personality. I felt like I knew them just from hearing the words "How's Trix?". Backman did an excellent job distinguishing them all and, to an extent, presenting them as caricatures whilst still providing them with aspects that made them super relatable. There is not one person in this book that you will not be able to make a single connection with.
My personal fave was Zara. Her bluntness and how she twists her conversations with her therapist around were just genius! Spent lots of time laughing out loud with this book.
Plot
My favourite part of this whole book was
My only downside with this book was that it tended to be a bit on the slow side and once the plot had resolved, my interest tended to tail off a little bit.
Overall
This is definitely a book that I wouldn't recommend to everyone. The focus on the characters and their relationships was perfect for me, however if you go into it expecting intrigue and suspense, that's not what you'll get. The characters bounced off each other brilliantly and the excellent one liners reminded me a lot of Pratchett. The subtle morals were brilliant in helping the book not feel preachy whilst also leaving you feeling satisfied and happy at the end. Wonderful book - 4.5 stars from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
josefinceh's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
happyhippielinds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I always find myself avoiding contemporary. But this was a blind date book, so I suppose I never went looking for this, anyway.
But I’m glad it found me. Crazy how that works, huh? Exaggerated dynamics to tackle real issues. Several times, I would find myself just closing the book after a cluster of chapters and having to take a deep breath because sometimes there were just crazy connections or twists. I was hooked the entire time, feeling emotionally connected to every single character and feeling those twinges of empathy (which Zara would probably scowl at) and just loving the entire story.
One of the best books I have ever read.
I long to read it again for the first time.
But I’m glad it found me. Crazy how that works, huh? Exaggerated dynamics to tackle real issues. Several times, I would find myself just closing the book after a cluster of chapters and having to take a deep breath because sometimes there were just crazy connections or twists. I was hooked the entire time, feeling emotionally connected to every single character and feeling those twinges of empathy (which Zara would probably scowl at) and just loving the entire story.
One of the best books I have ever read.
I long to read it again for the first time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Death
Minor: Addiction
tygeis02's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Minor: Cancer, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, War, Addiction, Blood, Dementia, Alcohol, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
m_maria's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Suicide
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
nils_0's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness, Death, Alcoholism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Drug abuse
Minor: Physical abuse
marlihe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
This is a story about a bank robbery, except it’s not at all a story about that. It manages to be both funny and poignant, combining a ridiculous and unpredictable plot with deeply emotional back story. It’s a beautiful study of grief, anxiety, depression, relationships, and the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. Backman combines his dry humor with poetic passages that make you reflect on your life as you traverse the story. He gives us a book that is, at its core, a story about what it means to be human.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Addiction, and Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse, Pregnancy, War, Death of parent, and Mental illness
sierrabowers's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was a disappointment and I should have DNF’d a while ago. But by the time I realized the storyline was bland, I was already more than halfway through. I finished but ultimately it wasn’t great. I gave 2 stars because it was funny on occasion and had a unique plot. There was some good character development but overall it wasn’t great. It was cheesy, slow, and the timeline made things confusing for me. I thought the robber was a male until 75% of the way through and realized they were a female?? I don’t know how I didn’t realize that beforehand? Or if it was on purpose? I’m not sure. Anyway, I would not recommend.
I would compare this book to “Normal People” but more funny. Still depressing though.
I would compare this book to “Normal People” but more funny. Still depressing though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Pregnancy, Mental illness, and Suicide
carlytenille's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Suicide