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laurataylor's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, Child death, Gun violence, Alcoholism, and Death
mikarala's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
3.5
The first 100 pages or so of this one were rough. Britt-Marie is intentionally written as a frustrating busybody, and even knowing she'd grow out of it, it was hard to sit through that. I also found the prose surprisingly juvenile compared to the only other Backman novel I've read, Beartown, although again I think that's a function of Britt-Marie's very idiosyncratic worldview and way of thinking. For those reasons, I can't really rate this one any higher.
However, the character growth is extremely satisfying in this novel, and the way the whole cast of characters interact with each other is really enjoyable. I particularly loved the bond developed between Britt-Marie and Sami, andthe climax with Sami's premature death was incredibly moving. I also like that the conclusion wasn't so neat and easy, as it felt like a good reflection of real life. Overall, I would recommend this novel, with the caveat that you do need to suffer through the first third or so before it gets really good.
However, the character growth is extremely satisfying in this novel, and the way the whole cast of characters interact with each other is really enjoyable. I particularly loved the bond developed between Britt-Marie and Sami, and
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Death
Minor: Death of parent
starrysteph's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
“If a human being closes her eyes hard enough and for long enough, she can remember pretty well everything that has made her happy.”
Britt-Marie is an eccentric 63 year old who has suddenly found herself alone for the first time in, well, all of her adult life. She's left her cheating husband and stumbled her way into the position of a caretaker in Borg's recreation center (soon-to-be defunct).
Underneath Britt-Marie's socially awkward comments, obsession with cleaning products, and slightly brittle exterior is a deep desire to be known by others, to leave a mark on her community. She's been controlled and afraid most of her life - this is her journey of stepping into herself and finding her voice.
In Backman style, we've got a peculiar set of characters that become deeply loveable and easy-to-root for as you get to know them (the children in particular were a real strength). It's a relatively quick, simple story but it packs so much depth and charm.
There were so many splendid, poignant moments of community and connection.
“One morning you wake up with more life behind you than in front of you, not being able to understand how it’s happened.”
CW: grief, death, alcoholism, gun violence, infidelity, child death, toxic relationship, death of a parent, violence, emotional abuse, ableism, fatphobia, mental illness
Britt-Marie is an eccentric 63 year old who has suddenly found herself alone for the first time in, well, all of her adult life. She's left her cheating husband and stumbled her way into the position of a caretaker in Borg's recreation center (soon-to-be defunct).
Underneath Britt-Marie's socially awkward comments, obsession with cleaning products, and slightly brittle exterior is a deep desire to be known by others, to leave a mark on her community. She's been controlled and afraid most of her life - this is her journey of stepping into herself and finding her voice.
In Backman style, we've got a peculiar set of characters that become deeply loveable and easy-to-root for as you get to know them (the children in particular were a real strength). It's a relatively quick, simple story but it packs so much depth and charm.
There were so many splendid, poignant moments of community and connection.
“One morning you wake up with more life behind you than in front of you, not being able to understand how it’s happened.”
CW: grief, death, alcoholism, gun violence, infidelity, child death, toxic relationship, death of a parent, violence, emotional abuse, ableism, fatphobia, mental illness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Child death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Death, Violence, Infidelity, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Ableism, and Mental illness
knunderb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thought I would.hate the ending right up until the end. This book is a beautifully written picture of the effect someone can have on a community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Murder
radfordmanor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
aura_rurubele's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Ableism and Child death
This book told me about love and loss. About learning and growing, while young or old, and most importantly about accepting that you do not need to accept every situation that comes to you "in your stride", that while this may be the best love you have ever received, it may not be the best love you will ever receive. Britt-Marie is written to brilliantly, she's smart and kind and very brave. She is autistic coded and fascinates me constantly. This book encompasses the found family dynamic and is so cute. The manner in which death is written here is so subtle but beautiful in the feeling it gives you (which is not very beautiful). The entire text is witty and comforting and gives us a peak into Britt-Marie's mind even from a bird's eye view.norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexism
esther_me's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
I absolutely loved the book. The main character is very unique and I enjoyed getting to know her through this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Violence, and Emotional abuse
_danika's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.0
I liked this book. Definitely an emotional journey.
So: Good but I was kinda sad.
So: Good but I was kinda sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Physical abuse
gem114's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Britt-Marie Was Here is the story of an older woman who is struggling to build a new life for herself after she finds out that her husband of 40 years was having an affair. To describe Britt-Marie as "type-A" is perhaps an understatement. She lives by her lists, prides herself on being proper, and swears by sodium bicarbonate for solving (most of) life's problems. When she winds up in Borg, a small town that's been hit hard by the financial crisis, for a job cleaning a recreation center, she's pushed far beyond her comfort zone. Her relationships with the town's residents, especially the children on the soccer team she coaches, challenge her to come out of her shell.
I listened to Britt-Marie Was Here as an audiobook narrated by Joan Walker. Although Walker's narration was on point from page 1, it took me a while to buy into the story. I had just come off reading Legendborn and Grown (YA, diverse, suspenseful), and Britt-Marie is the exact opposite. Soon, though, I found myself falling in love with Britt-Marie, with Borg, with Omar, Vega, Somebody, Sven, Sami, and all the others. Regarding narration, I hated Walker's voice for Omar, but the rest were fine, and she's a perfect Britt-Marie. I often listen to audiobooks while walking my dog, and there were times I found myself laughing out loud as I walked the sidewalks of my town at Backman's dialogue and Walker's delivery.
This was my first Backman novel, and it definitely won't be my last.
I listened to Britt-Marie Was Here as an audiobook narrated by Joan Walker. Although Walker's narration was on point from page 1, it took me a while to buy into the story. I had just come off reading Legendborn and Grown (YA, diverse, suspenseful), and Britt-Marie is the exact opposite. Soon, though, I found myself falling in love with Britt-Marie, with Borg, with Omar, Vega, Somebody, Sven, Sami, and all the others. Regarding narration, I hated Walker's voice for Omar, but the rest were fine, and she's a perfect Britt-Marie. I often listen to audiobooks while walking my dog, and there were times I found myself laughing out loud as I walked the sidewalks of my town at Backman's dialogue and Walker's delivery.
This was my first Backman novel, and it definitely won't be my last.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Grief, Death, Child death, and Car accident
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