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brookebatesratesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Child death, and Death of parent
avasbookmark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Death of parent, and Infidelity
This was a perfect book. All the warm fuzzies 🥰laurataylor's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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
crochet_bby's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
this book had me holding back tears at work. absolutely just as good as Anxious People. 10/10.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
starrysteph's review against another edition
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
kinga1204's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
allyordyna's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
Lots of swearing, but I love the execution of this book. Reminded me of Eleanor Oliphant, but Backman’s clever, lovable style of writing and characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Infidelity
erinnz's review
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent