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stephbernoth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Graphic: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Cancer, and Death
Moderate: Terminal illness, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Racism, Cancer, Violence, Medical content, Infertility, Dementia, and Body shaming
bridgetkay's review against another edition
The character is problematic as all hell and I really have no interest in a story centred on a white man who’s surrounded by people who aren’t white men as supporting characters to some kind of redemption arc. Any time I attempted to read this, it put me in a bad mood. So for self care purposes, I will not be finishing this.
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
raelinton's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Miscarriage, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Homophobia and Body shaming
fazazzle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
That being said, I’m not sure that this book says anything remarkably unique about grief or friendship or life that will really stick with me. (Not sure if the translation into English is at fault here, but I truly cannot think of a single stand-out quote). Mostly I’ll remember crying over the characters and the circumstances they find themselves in. If you think you are suppressing any emotions and need a cry, this is the book for you! (Obviously, beware the CWs, this book actually is not for everyone. If I wasn’t already invested in the story, I might not have finished reading it myself).
I think that Backman’s skill of slowly revealing character backgrounds through flashbacks as the book progresses is really what makes the characters feel so fleshed-out and real. Don’t even talk to me about the Jimmy background reveal - yes, I was crying.
Anyways, I don’t think I will read this book again anytime soon unless I really need to get the tears flowing for some random reason.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Homophobia, Body shaming, Car accident, Fatphobia, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition
- 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
To me this book is about the power of connections and not shutting yourself down to be able to connect. It’s also about grief, loss, love, friendship and allowing change.
—-only thing I didn’t like was how much Fredrik made the interactions with Jimmy largely about how fat he is and not kind descriptions either.
Graphic: Homophobia, Grief, Body shaming, Miscarriage, and Injury/Injury detail
tiffyd's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Death, Grief, and Suicide
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Homophobia
purplepenning's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Ableism, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Medical content, Dementia, Death, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
Minor: Blood, Domestic abuse, Violence, Cursing, and Animal cruelty
pipcorn's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Car accident, Blood, Body shaming, Cancer, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Dementia, Pregnancy, Cursing, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Fatphobia, and Grief
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Terminal illness, Homophobia, Death, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Dementia
Minor: Body shaming, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia