Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman

36 reviews

amavi's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This book wasn't for me, I disliked many things. I wanted to dnf it at least five times. I didn't like the fairytale aspect, the repeated references, the very unbelievable situations, felt very meh, I was annoyed many times, and I forced myself to finish it. The ending is wholesome and a lot of things come together into a cute story, that's why I bumbed it to a 3 star read. The writer did make me cry again, I'll give him that but A man called Ove was quite better for me personally 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Cancer, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Car accident, and Grief

madisonfrank's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective sad fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, War, Animal death, Grief, Death, Pregnancy, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Stalking

Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Stalking, Violence, War, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse

dlrosebyh's review against another edition

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? Yes

3.75

Elsa is unique and seven years old. Her grandma is crazy—as in, standing on the balcony and shooing strangers with paintball guns—at the age of 77. Additionally, she is Elsa's one and only friend. In the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everyone is unique and nobody needs to fit in, Elsa seeks solace in her grandmother's tales at night. 

Elsa's biggest journey starts when her grandma passes away and leaves behind a collection of letters in which she expresses her regret to those she has mistreated. The directions given by her grandmother take her to an apartment complex filled with monsters, drunks, attack dogs, and elderly ladies, but they also reveal the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and introduce her to a grandma unlike any other.

I adore Fredrik Backman's writing style. I adore how he brings the intricacy of his characters to life in his writings. I really like the plot and the characters in this book, but one thing really got on my nerves: how frequently Harry Potter references were made. I understand that Elsa is young and that she should enjoy Harry Potter; she is free to act anyway she pleases. However, I don't want to read about Elsa being so enraged when someone hasn't read the books or seen the movies. I also don't want to read every two pages about the Gryffindor scarf. But aside from that, I think the book is both interesting and informative.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Death

Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse

tpasta's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

One of the best books I’ve read (or listened to) in a while. A sweet story that had me laughing and crying. I loved the complexness of stories within a story that added a bit of mystery. The author perfectly captured the reality that not everyone is perfect and life is very messy.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Cancer

Minor: Alcoholism, War, and Violence

bwaymadeline's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the way this man writes community astounds me

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Animal death and Alcoholism

annaem's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Bullying

Minor: Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Child death, Violence, and Cancer

radfordmanor's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Addiction, and Grief

Moderate: Cancer, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Animal death, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, and Cursing

lindseyhall44's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.5

I think I cried through the entirety of this book. Some were joyful tears, some were heartbreaking tears, and some were ‘oh my gosh this is some of the best writing I have ever read’ tears. “My Grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry” follows seven year old Elsa on her journey to cope with grief, but also her journey as she heals, creates meaningful bonds, and most importantly of all, savors an unconditional love for stories. Just like Elsa, this book is different in the best ways, a beautiful exploration of dreamers and believers. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Vomit

Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship

grizzlysnack's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Grief

Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, and Violence

Minor: Child death, Alcoholism, and Car accident

alessandravaron's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Grief, and War

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Stalking, War, Pregnancy, and Mental illness

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Medical content, and Sexism