Britt-Marie was here

Excellent.

I’m not sure I liked the ending, but I loved the rest of it. Backman is an excellent storyteller.

My only sadness about finishing this book is that it is now one less Backman novel that I have left to read. Few books have ever made me feel part of the town in which they were set but Backman has now made me feel a part of Beartown, one of Ove’s neighbors, and now a rabid fan of Borg’s soccer team. I simply loved this story and the life he gives to each character.

This book caught me by surprise. I hadn't read any Fredrik Backman books, and so I didn't know what to expect. By the end of the first chapter, I was hooked. This book was unlike any I've ever read. It was endearing, funny, and sad, sometimes all at once. It was a joy to read. It manages to defy categories. It is an incredibly funny book, but it is also a book that comments deeply on what it means to age, to live, and to love. I would definitely recommend it.

I really enjoyed the book "My Name Is Ove," so I was hopeful this would deliver as well. It was quirky - both in the story and the construction - but it felt far-fetched and a bit chaotic. I would recommend people stick with Ove and let Britt-Marie stay there.