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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
This story was a mash up of [b:A Man Called Ove|18774964|A Man Called Ove|Fredrik Backman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1405259930l/18774964._SY75_.jpg|21619954] and [b:Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|31434883|Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine|Gail Honeyman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564647507l/31434883._SY75_.jpg|47327681]. I really enjoy reading about complex characters who aren't "normal."
I felt for Britt-Marie and her sad backstory. She didn't deserve the hand she'd been dealt with in life. I found myself rooting for her, as I root for all underdogs and somehow, in spite of her rigid personality and expectations, she managed to not only ingratiate herself into the village to which she ran away but become an invaluable member of the community. Instead of being an invisible and unacknowledged helpmate to her husband who was taken for granted, she became a visible and important contributor in and of herself, for the first time in her life.
As always, Backman's stellar storytelling powers shone through in this overlooked little gem. 3.5 stars.
I felt for Britt-Marie and her sad backstory. She didn't deserve the hand she'd been dealt with in life. I found myself rooting for her, as I root for all underdogs and somehow, in spite of her rigid personality and expectations, she managed to not only ingratiate herself into the village to which she ran away but become an invaluable member of the community. Instead of being an invisible and unacknowledged helpmate to her husband who was taken for granted, she became a visible and important contributor in and of herself, for the first time in her life.
As always, Backman's stellar storytelling powers shone through in this overlooked little gem. 3.5 stars.
This was missing the magic of Backman's other novels. Britt-Marie is a wonderful and deep character, and her development is so well done, but I was bored. Backman is best at writing very young kids and I think he needs that central kid to build his story around, which he didn't have here. The teens were the best characters by far and I'd love to read more about them.
The writing was lazier than normal. He fell into a habit of saying what happened and then diving into the backstory, or only placing major details in casually, in a way that felt very jumpy and amateur. The book needed more time and editing.
The writing was lazier than normal. He fell into a habit of saying what happened and then diving into the backstory, or only placing major details in casually, in a way that felt very jumpy and amateur. The book needed more time and editing.
Love Backman, but this was not my favorite of his works, though it fits a similar pattern as "A Man Called Ove." I just didn't connect with Britt-Marie, except for her relationship with Sami which slayed me. I also found the ending rather vague, maybe because I was rooting for Sven.
Not sure how you can take a recently separated older lady, an economically depressed town, football, a pizzeria, kids, a rat and make a story of it, but here we are. I loved it!
Really appreciated the ending—there were no ridiculous villains. Just people with complex motives and inner workings doing the best they could to make life good.
Really appreciated the ending—there were no ridiculous villains. Just people with complex motives and inner workings doing the best they could to make life good.
emotional
hopeful
I am quickly becoming a Fredrick Backman STAN!
Britt-Marie Was Here was a surprisingly light-hearted, even covering heavy themes, and uplifting tale of a woman, who if she wasn’t the protagonist, you probably wouldn’t like one bit.
As with anything by Backman, this book had me laughing out loud and finishing with a big grin on my face. Would be a great option for anyone looking a bit of respite after a heavy read.
Britt-Marie Was Here was a surprisingly light-hearted, even covering heavy themes, and uplifting tale of a woman, who if she wasn’t the protagonist, you probably wouldn’t like one bit.
As with anything by Backman, this book had me laughing out loud and finishing with a big grin on my face. Would be a great option for anyone looking a bit of respite after a heavy read.
2024
I just love this audiobook. Parts of it get stuck in my head sometimes and I think a big part of it is the reader. I have already listened to it more than once this year, and it looks like I checked it out four times last year.
2023
Bumping this up to 5 stars now because after 4 years I came back to it again and still wanted to restart it when I got to the end.
2019
Another book that was a little bit uncomfortable in how much I could relate to it. I too have been told I am socially incompetent and have no sense of humor. I do not at all relate to her need to have things clean though. I was sad for her and hopeful for her and worried about her throughout this book. I have been feeling more and more invisible in my own life but I do not think a relocation to a small town is anywhere in my future :)
I just love this audiobook. Parts of it get stuck in my head sometimes and I think a big part of it is the reader. I have already listened to it more than once this year, and it looks like I checked it out four times last year.
2023
Bumping this up to 5 stars now because after 4 years I came back to it again and still wanted to restart it when I got to the end.
2019
Another book that was a little bit uncomfortable in how much I could relate to it. I too have been told I am socially incompetent and have no sense of humor. I do not at all relate to her need to have things clean though. I was sad for her and hopeful for her and worried about her throughout this book. I have been feeling more and more invisible in my own life but I do not think a relocation to a small town is anywhere in my future :)
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
medium-paced