I’ve read 3 books from this author- “ and every morning the way home gets longer and longer, Britt-Marie, and a man called Ove”. Birt-Marie is my favorite character so far. At the begging, I read these books in order to improve my English reading skill cause I’m not a English native speaker. But I found that Fredrik Backman becomes my favorite author now. I love the way he describes the characters and their gesture or movement that is so precise and exquisite. Now I’m gonna start to read “my grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry”. By the way, he’s going to public his new novel “Anxious people”. I’m looking forwards this book review if you’ll do.

So happy that you like him so much! He is definitely one of my favourites and is quite adored by his fans here. He released a new book this autumn here in Sweden, and in one of the interviews he was asked about how he could depict his characters so well, since they vary so much in age. His answer was that he doesn't really take much notice of the age, much more he focus on the personality of the character since he doesn't really believe that our personalities change that much through childhood to old age. I really liked that idea and would say from my own perspective that it holds true. What do you think?

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

What is the one that just came out about? I can't wait for it to be translated! That's a really cool way to do characterization. I guess I am pretty similar to how I was when I was young.

@solros81

7 жыл бұрын

It's about a small town, a hockey team and a bunch of personalities. It's a bit more on the serious side, but still wonderfully written! I believe it's going to be a trilogy/duology. That's all you getting from me, don't want to give to much away! ;)

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

Grrrr I don't know how fast the translator is, so hopefully I'll get it next year. Fingers crossed.

This was my 1st Fredrick Backman read and it was great even if you haven’t read the book before where her character first appears. I think it’s a stand alone slow development which still catches you.

Connor, you summed up this book perfectly as usual. I would agree with you. I wouldn't really market this book as a stand alone. Reading My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry provides the reader with a much better idea of Britt-Marie's character.I wasn't a fan of Britt's personality in the first book but once you hear her life story and what shaped her, I fell in love with her character in Britt-Marie Was Here. I too had hoped that she'd introduce that one character back into this story though. Backman is such a talented author that you really feel like there's a town you can drive to, and characters you can meet. A true indication of a brilliant author. I just love your book reviews and although I just discovered your channel today, I'm binge watching you now. Thank you Connor.

Loved your review !! 👏

Great review. I am reading it now.

Yay!!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book! His books are really so special - I've never read another author like him. I finally finished The Way Home - and it had me actually crying. Hope he has something new out soon.

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

Me too!! He is awesome. I'm reading the Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery because I heard the style is similar. It is, but I still prefer Fredrick Backman.

@Georgesmomsu

7 жыл бұрын

Connor O'Brien - that is on my list of books to buy -- i'll move it up -- thanks

Great review! I hadn't actually heard of this, but I might check out the first one!

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! You should definitely check out My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. So amazing.

I'm in the middle of this book right now. I totally agree with you that we love Britt-Marie even though we might not like to interact with her hahahaha. I love Fredrick Backman's writing as well! I think I'll update more thoughts after I finish this book. Great review!

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

+The Bookish Land haha right! She would be such a pain! But one that you love from a distance and then when in their presence remember why you want the distance. Thank you!!

Thank you

I finished this book just now! And just want wait to discuss it. First of all, thanks to pointed out that "you have to understand" thing, I totally agree with you that when she says that she's unhappy. But I also think sometimes she says that to herself to remind herself to be a normal (civilized) person. And she says that when she has conflict with herself. For the not contacting the person she raised up in My Grandmother....Sorry, I think maybe because she feels she's not needed by that person anymore? I think she thought she lost her at the moment grandmother returned home. I think "feel needed" is her main thing overall. Expecting your thoughts on that :D And again, thanks for the great review!

@ConnorOBrien

7 жыл бұрын

+The Bookish Land Yes! I'm glad you noticed all of the "you must understand"s. I agree that she's feeling conflicted and I think that's partially why she's upset. I think you may be right on why she didn't keep in contact with the girl she raised, but with her personality, I found it a bit odd. And I agree with you that she wants to feel needed or at the very least appreciated which is a little why I was surprised she didn't keep in contact. But I guess she was fulfilling that need by the people in the town

@imogenking2978

10 ай бұрын

I think also it is part of the shame of how others would see her and what they would think of her. That was such a drive to her behavior and trying to be perfect, now that the façade of her marriage is revealed she has to first process that for herself before she can face people who knew her before, hence bonding with the social worker and feeling she could contact her. I’m sure after her trip to Paris she will be in touch with all the characters from her life before.

Hi, I’m gonna read this book but can i get some for-short about what’s happening, thank u all

Sooo upset with myself I read this before ‘my grandmother told me to tell you she is sorry’ should I still read it or is the book totally wrecked for me?!

@ConnorOBrien

3 жыл бұрын

Hayley Milligan you’ll still enjoy it, I think. It explores a different relationship for the most part, but you’ll know some things that happen toward the end obviously lol

@hayley08023

3 жыл бұрын

Connor O'Brien Ahh thank you! Going to start it now! I love your reviews💕

@imogenking2978

10 ай бұрын

I read them the other way round and find it enlightening and better, one has more insight and it doesn’t ruin a thing. Britt-Marie was Here was my first FBackman book and what has me now working through all this works.

Who's the author that has a similar writing style as Backman? Thanks.

@ConnorOBrien

4 жыл бұрын

I haven't personally read any books with a style similar to Backman's, but I have heard that the books "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" and "The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen" have similar styles.

@ConnorOBrien

4 жыл бұрын

Oh! I just realized what you were actually asking about. It was The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I didn't think it was comparable to Backman. I liked it, but I only gave it 3 stars when I read it.

@imogenking2978

10 ай бұрын

I think Nick Hornby’s books and style is similar.

Nonsense. I read "Britt-Marie was here" first and loved her instantly! 💓

@ConnorOBrien

Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome! I’m glad you got on board with her so immediately!

@kbhprinsesse

Жыл бұрын

@@ConnorOBrien I'm from Denmark and after having watched this video and your review of "A man called Ove" I have come to the conclusion that some of Backman's quirky characters are perhaps a bit more relatable to us Scandi people because we know or have known such people IRL :) So I loved both Ove and Britt-Marie instantly, they made me laugh hysterically - and still do!

Oh! I did read this book firsttttt :'(

@ConnorOBrien

4 жыл бұрын

Cláudio Silva Oops! I guess you know some of what happens in My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry now lol

@claudiosilva2484

4 жыл бұрын

@@ConnorOBrien the irony of my life is that I have BOTH books and I wanted to start this one first ... without knowing :'( I'm so sad nowwww :´(