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4.51 AVERAGE
4.51 AVERAGE
I wavered between a 3 and 4. I usually love Backman's books, but this one was way too long and too repetitious. Many times I struggled to keep on reading. The 4 won out because of the excellent use of foreshadowing and the strength of the characters.
Unfairly perhaps to Mr Bachman I was unaware that this was third in a series. Unfairly to me, Mr Bachman’s editor was MIA, and this book was too bloody long to hold my interest over long periods. And so many characters, I honestly couldn’t remember who was who! I loved “A Man Called Ove”. This had far too many plots and subplots and background stories (because there were too many people!). Every now and again I’d get swept into a narrative and then a new person would be introduced and spoil the flow. Grr. So weird. I don’t see anyone else complaining about this so I guess it’s just me. But at 700 pages/20 hours, it needed to be better.
Oh and sometimes he’d throw in something cryptic. “There’s a body”, or “There’s a gunshot”, or “something just boiled over on the stove”. Ok that last one is made up, but I found these silly hints of something yet revealed annoying. Once maybe. But multiple times and it felt like something he learned in writing class. And now look at the length of my review! I’m infected. Agh!!!
Usually I include a quote and I know there were a few I loved but he didn’t earn that effort from me.
Oh and sometimes he’d throw in something cryptic. “There’s a body”, or “There’s a gunshot”, or “something just boiled over on the stove”. Ok that last one is made up, but I found these silly hints of something yet revealed annoying. Once maybe. But multiple times and it felt like something he learned in writing class. And now look at the length of my review! I’m infected. Agh!!!
Usually I include a quote and I know there were a few I loved but he didn’t earn that effort from me.
This is a strong finish to memorable, emotional, quotable trilogy. I'll round up on the rating based on the strength of the overall series.
I'm a sentimental sort; Fredrik Backman certainly scratches that itch.
I'm a sentimental sort; Fredrik Backman certainly scratches that itch.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am both broken into pieces and feeling like I've been made whole. How will ANY book after this trilogy ever give me what this series gave me? I'm still crying about it.
Words are not small things.
Words are not small things.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This whole series was beautifully written and heartbreaking in the best ways
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes