Reviews

My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman

kunjalrupala's review against another edition

5.0

A Personal Journey of Healing and Discovery

This book resonated with me on such a deep level; it felt like it flowed effortlessly, touching the very core of my being. I wholeheartedly believe that every person should experience the magic held within its pages.

When I lost my dadi, it was the first book I shelved, but I loved her so much, I never got the strength to read it as I could only associate sorrow with her painful end. Her departure left a void that seemed insurmountable. But, when I lost my nani last month, her memory flooded me with laughter. She was the epitome of joy, her unwavering support a beacon of light in my darkest moments. Her passing gave me the strength to finally pick up this book and begin the journey it promised.

I found Elsa's character to be a revelation. I typically don't fancy children between 5-12 years as they are too talkative for my liking—Elsa captivated me. Seeing the world through her eyes offered me a fresh perspective on the rollercoaster of emotions and experiences that come with childhood. As a result, I would now approach these children with a deeper understanding and appreciation. And Britt-Marie, with her layers slowly revealed, was equally captivating. The central theme of storytelling, often associated with grandmothers, was portrayed with such depth and authenticity, making me laugh and cry in equal measure.

While I found myself engrossed in the lives of the characters, I couldn't help but wish for more insight into the stories of Wolfheart and Halfie. Perhaps a sequel could provide further exploration into their lives, allowing readers to delve deeper into the rich tapestry of this world.

In conclusion, "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" is a beautifully crafted novel that breathes life into every character. It's a poignant reminder of the power of love, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds that shape our lives. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a story that will touch their soul and leave them longing for more.

geekcliche's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

bocasbri's review against another edition

3.5

this book was super cute! it definitely was different than the other fredrik backman books i’ve read, but i found elsa to be a fun, unique main character to follow. her personality was surely not that typical of a seven-year-old. i enjoyed watching her unravel her grandma’s history and the character’s connections. i found everyone’s connections to be the best part of the story. for the first half, i was struggling to feel motivated to read/pick the book up. it reads pretty fast once actually reading it though. i wasn’t the biggest fan of the magical aspects and felt the book could have stood stronger without it for me.

rachelangle13's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful slow-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? No

3.75

Like the Backman books I’ve read before, it’s both beautiful and builds wonderfully towards the end. I found this one to be a bit slower to get through, however, and though the Miamas storyline was delightful at times, it was also a bit much

hlflosser's review against another edition

4.0

I love this author’s story telling. My favorite part is where he uses fairytales intertwined with real life story. The grandmother was a hoot. The only thing is it seemed to long but that could just be my state on mind. Too many books I want to read

sonderits's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.5

justracheljones's review against another edition

Will start again after Zambia trip

atharp's review against another edition

5.0

This book chewed me up and spit me out a different person!

verafey's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

Another 5 star Fredrik Backman read for me. I have a feeling this is gonna be a comfort book for me to turn back to in the future. So sad in many different ways but also so funny and clever. I don’t think I have laughed out loud so many times before while reading a book.

_reading_with_kate_'s review against another edition

I'm very glad I read Britt-Marie Was Here before this one, as this was by far my least favorite Backman book.