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astrongylou's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
ches's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.75
An almost perfect book - I absolutely loved it! There was a little bit in the middle that i found a bit absurd and not in the best way - the bit with the rabbit!
And I also found the characters to be a bit like caricatures however I then realisedthat this was the point and they were being deliberately stupid and evasive in the interviews!
Overall I thought it was brilliant - I laughed and cried a few times whilst reading it and will definitely reread it in the future. I'm also going to watch the Netflix series, although I doubt it will live up to the book. I'm excited to read more of Backman's work as I loved his writing style and voice. Highly recommend this book.
And I also found the characters to be a bit like caricatures however I then realised
Overall I thought it was brilliant - I laughed and cried a few times whilst reading it and will definitely reread it in the future. I'm also going to watch the Netflix series, although I doubt it will live up to the book. I'm excited to read more of Backman's work as I loved his writing style and voice. Highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
dreaminthepages's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely heartwarming thought-provoking read! Loved all the characters!
mjd0023's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
hugenott's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I felt so many emotions while reading this, albeit, not all of them positive. That first chapter had me hooked! However, the longer I read the more I was annoyed. This should have been titled "Annoying People" because that is why it took me so long to get through this. I did not love my time with the characters because they all had so many loud flaws and none of them had any self-awareness. The ending makes it evident that that was clearly the point (w/ the interviews) but I just feel like that still did not excuse it all. I did tear up towards the end, which was an obvious sign that even though I did not particularly like these characters, I became still somewhat attached to them.
Everything about the tone, writing style, and just all around cadence, reminded me of a Wes Anderson film. And I did feel the same about this as I do most Wes Anderson films. The chapters were short and the writing was quirky. There were many quotable moments. A bit redundant at times, but not a bad read. I have a soft spot for intertwining stories. Long live Estelle. Would read another Fredrik Backman.
I felt so many emotions while reading this, albeit, not all of them positive. That first chapter had me hooked! However, the longer I read the more I was annoyed. This should have been titled "Annoying People" because that is why it took me so long to get through this. I did not love my time with the characters because they all had so many loud flaws and none of them had any self-awareness. The ending makes it evident that that was clearly the point (w/ the interviews) but I just feel like that still did not excuse it all. I did tear up towards the end, which was an obvious sign that even though I did not particularly like these characters, I became still somewhat attached to them.
Everything about the tone, writing style, and just all around cadence, reminded me of a Wes Anderson film. And I did feel the same about this as I do most Wes Anderson films. The chapters were short and the writing was quirky. There were many quotable moments. A bit redundant at times, but not a bad read. I have a soft spot for intertwining stories. Long live Estelle. Would read another Fredrik Backman.
bethcarol1953's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dennyhebson's review against another edition
3.75
Very sweet. Perhaps a bit too. A hostage drama goes adorable.
But some actual laugh out loud moments.
But some actual laugh out loud moments.
cari_'s review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
thealexarachelle's review against another edition
4.0
I have a lot of feelings about this book, but in the end I enjoyed the story overall. At first it annoyed me and the characters were all very unlikeable, but it was explained and there was a complete ending, which I enjoy. I understand the format and why the author did it, but it took a while for me to feel good about reading it.
phantomignis's review against another edition
5.0
Listened to the audiobook and it was so good! I definitely had parts where I laughed out loud and loved hearing the different perspectives of all the characters. “Bank heist gone wrong hostage drama at an open house” will now be one of my favorite niche genres haha