Reviews with content warning for Grief - Und jeden Tag wird der Weg nach Hause länger und länger

firstly, a friend of mine has recommended me this author a bunch of times and i told her i'd read some of his books one day
secondly, since this novella is super short and im in a huge reading slump, i just thought it could be helpful

as for the story, it was both sweet and sad. maybe it was not super devastating or maybe i just avoided to cry because i was in front of my family during about 90% of my reading time. however, i did tear up and drop a couple tears, not gonna lie!

i like how grandpa grew up to realize he was really shitty to ted and that he deserved better but i'm glad that he got to somehow redeem himself with noah, who shared his love for science and maths. although i just really wish people would stop treating other people who are more into letters and art like we're dumb and worthless.

the main topics were nice, i liked how the author handled the theme of memory loss and giving your last goodbyes to people who are still alive. i guess at first the change of setting/pov can be a bit confusing and but after a couple switches you can understand how is it going.

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smilerac's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

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ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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coco78337's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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lillianreads's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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twistykris's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

"Once your goodbye is perfect, you have to leave me and not look back. Live your life. It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here."

A short, heartbreaking, beautifully-written novella. It brought up a lot of feelings regarding my own grandfather with dementia.

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james1star's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

So I just cried on the bus… um thanks Fredrick for that… and Katie Coulson for the recommendation.

This short story is truly beautiful, telling the story of a grandpa, his son Ted and grandson Noah (adorable omfg he’s so fkn cuteeeee) and how he’s battling dementia. It’s extremely heartbreaking and emotional but so tender and magical too. Despite regrets and some bad memories, we’re given a life to enjoy it, spend time and make memories which those we love and have fun too. We fear death but many fear getting older more and losing the parts that make us; us and this notion is exceptionally highlighted here. Having experienced the impacts of dementia on people around me, I can say it’s horrible for both them and you, Backman perfectly shows this struggle.

Despite being really short, this book really packs a punch with super lovable characters, great messages and the writing/descriptions aren’t impacted either, it’s truly a lovely little read. There are some amazing quotes, a few of my favourite here:

‘We know so little about how the brain works. It's like a fading star right now… When a brain fades it takes a long time for the body to realize.’

‘“Do you remember what I told you about failing?"

"The only time you've failed is if you don't try once more."

"Exactly, Noahnoah, exactly. A great thought can never be kept on Earth.”’

‘Almost all grown adults walk around full of regret over a good-bye they wish they'd been able to go back and say better. Our good-bye doesn't have to be like that, you'll be able to keep redoing it until it's perfect. And once it's perfect, that's when your feet will touch the ground and I'll be in space, and there won't be anything to be afraid of.’

‘… ”Does it hurt on the inside?"

"It hurts less and less. That's one good thing about forgetting things. You forget the things that hurt too.”

"What does it feel like?"

"Like constantly searching for something in your pockets. First you lose the small things, then it's the big ones. It starts with keys and ends with people.”

"Are you scared?"

"A bit. Are you?"

"A bit," the boy admits.”’

‘sometimes I remember that I've forgotten. That's the worst kind of forgetting. Like being locked out in a storm.’

‘"Death isn't fair.”

"No, death is a slow drum. It counts every beat. We can't haggle with it for more time.”

"Beautifully said, my love.”

"I stole it."

Their laughter echoes in each other's chests, and then he says: "I miss all our most ordinary things.”’

‘It’s nice to be understood.’

I 1000% recommend reading this book BUT prepare them tear ducts because it’ll break your heart.

Content Warnings

m4rtt4's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

So beautiful and heart-wrenching, a book which makes you feel better and worse at the same time. My absolute favourite quote: "When your feet touch the ground, I'll be in space" <3

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