Book Review - My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

From the author (Fredrik Backman)  of the lovely A Man Called Ove (previously reviewed), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is a funny, accurate, human heart tale. Life, death, and the right to be different - Backman writes a very sweet story.

Elsa is seven years old and different. Her best friend is her Granny who's a bit strange herself.  But Else takes refuge in her grandmother's stories, in the Land of Almost Awake, etc. Nobody has to be normal. Alas Granny dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged. Elsa's greatest adventure begins and instructions lead her to an apartment building filled with misfits, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones, but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms.  (cover blurb)

Every seven year old deserves a superhero.  (page 1) Enjoy the twists and turns of each chapter. The intertwined people connections, and the strength of Elsa and her late grandmother pull together for quite a finale. Elsa is quite smart for her age, but is still a little girl who needs family. She learns a lot about the past, and also how she'll deal with her future.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is a very fun, entertaining read with laugh out loud moments. Backman has a style - a bit quirky, but great timing. This is a breezy summer read. Thanks to my friend, Linda Hoffman, for passing this along. Quite a treat.

Book Review - A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman

A Man Called Ove by Frederik Backman is a great read. Ove is a hoot, a very original character, and each chapter just builds until you realize this old coot is quite lovable.  By the end, the book is quite poignant and you will shed a tear at the finale. And that’s what makes an awesome read.  The author captures a man’s life, feelings, and shows how humans touch each other.

From the back blurb – At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet, a curmudgeon with staunch principles, strict routine, and a short fuse. People think him bitter, and he thinks himself surrounded by idiots.

But as he keeps trying to commit suicide (trust me, this plot works. You learn his reason, his attempts, and his failures (fortunately) ). New neighbors prove to be lifesavers and aggravating.

He drives a Saab, keeps his tools organized, shovels the walks in his neighborhood, and desperately feels the loss of his wife. She was obviously a saint.  You’ll learn his backstory and that explains a lot. Each chapter title is funny and Backman’s humor will keep you turning pages.

p. 336 – At the bottom of the sheet he’s written in capital letters “YOU ARE NOT A COMPLETE IDIOT”. And after that, a smiley, as Nasanin has taught him.

Trust me, this is high praise.  Read the book to get to this page and smile through tears.