Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

Who hurt this man and why am I sobbing at 7:30am on a Tuesday?
Once again, Fredrik Backman managed to trick me into reading a book with a cute cover and funny title that actually is one of the most gut wrenching takes on life, aging, and memory. Well done, Backman.

Content Warnings

ruthypoo2's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

A truly lovely, gentle and graceful story about aging, Alzheimer's disease, memories, family, love, and sorrow. Though very short, this novella will leave a big lump in the reader's throat as they are introduced to Noah and his Grandpa, who is a widower. There's also Noah's father, Ted. Many life memories are experienced and represent the mental anchors that keep Grandpa grounded in his current existence of living with Alzheimer's. In a sense, it's something of a walk through the most comforting memories imprinted on Grandpa's mind.

The reader also feels the heavy weight that rests on Ted's shoulders as he offers gentle reassurance to his father. Dealing with a parent that lives with memory loss is not easy, but Ted is attuned to the memory challenges his father experiences and treats him with the respect and care found amongst loving family members.

As the story progresses, there are revelations that aren't shocking so much as something to be expected. There's not just a sadness about losing someone you love even though they're still a regular part of your life, but also the melancholy of learning how to say a slow good-bye with grace and dignity. This story does not rely on a strong dose of sentimentality to break down the reader, but because the exposed truth of a family dealing with memory loss feels so honest, you'll probably want to grab your tissues in case you need to wipe away a tear or two.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, actor David Morse, was perfectly cast. His gentle masculine tone welcomes the listener into a private personal sadness being shared by a father, his son, and his grandson. Three generations are represented in distinctive and impactful characterizations.

The Kindle edition of the book contains a preview of author Fredrik Backman's latest novel, Anxious People.

Content Warnings

maiahhtratchh's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

nojerama's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

this book was absolutely heartbreaking but breathtakingly beautiful

Content Warnings

fullybookedlola's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a nice turn of reading instead of the normal stories I enjoy. It was sad and emotional, but good. I don't regret reading this, but as it is only 50 pages long, I don't have that much to say about it. The writing style was different, but still beautiful. It threw me off at first, but I liked it after. People who get older and are forgetful, will have mornings who make the way to home longer.

The last 13 pages of the book (total: 63) where about another story, but that was not really my thing. I couldn't connect, I couldn't understand. It was a preview for another, new, story. But this is all I have read from it and that's where it ends.

Content Warnings