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Sue's Reviews> Britt-Marie Was Here
Britt-Marie Was Here
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My regard for soccer is increasing and my thoughts about "dying" or struggling towns is evolving. Thanks to the town of Borg and Britt-Marie. Dying relationships and dying economies come together in this novel of a late middle-aged woman who has left her old life with no real idea of who she is or where she's going -- physically, geographically or emotionally. Backman's book is her journey of self-discovery and her/Borg's discovery of each other.
Britt-Marie has been a wife and homemaker for her entire adult life but now circumstances have led her to a point where she must change---and this is so difficult for her. She is a woman of routines. How is she to leave behind a lifetime of tending to a home and husband, cleaning "just so" with exceptional care. Well she hopes the employment service will help her. The tiny town of Borg had no idea what was coming---and neither did Britt-Marie.
At times I truly wondered about this woman--then I reached my first laugh out loud moment. From there on, I may have wondered slightly but I didn't question where Backman was going. I simply rode along. While I often am reading some heavy tomes, I do enjoy finding a book like this, where powerful messages are put forth in deceptively simple prose.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Britt-Marie has been a wife and homemaker for her entire adult life but now circumstances have led her to a point where she must change---and this is so difficult for her. She is a woman of routines. How is she to leave behind a lifetime of tending to a home and husband, cleaning "just so" with exceptional care. Well she hopes the employment service will help her. The tiny town of Borg had no idea what was coming---and neither did Britt-Marie.
At times I truly wondered about this woman--then I reached my first laugh out loud moment. From there on, I may have wondered slightly but I didn't question where Backman was going. I simply rode along. While I often am reading some heavy tomes, I do enjoy finding a book like this, where powerful messages are put forth in deceptively simple prose.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
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Reading Progress
June 3, 2016
–
Started Reading
June 3, 2016
– Shelved
June 3, 2016
–
12.0%
June 3, 2016
– Shelved as:
fiction
June 3, 2016
– Shelved as:
net-galley
June 4, 2016
–
22.0%
June 4, 2016
–
26.0%
"Oh Britt-Marie, they broke the mold when you were born. But now some explanations are coming for why she is whatever she is....and then, a really good laugh."
June 5, 2016
–
51.0%
June 6, 2016
–
100.0%
"Ah, what an enjoyable experience. I think I would read anything Mr Backman writes. He is able to find the odd and quirky among us and tell their stories in such clever, yet also heartwarming ways, full of everyday reality, lives that are actually lived around us, often invisibly."
June 6, 2016
–
Finished Reading
June 12, 2016
– Shelved as:
read-2016
June 12, 2016
– Shelved as:
sweden
August 3, 2024
– Shelved as:
plan-to-re-read
Comments Showing 1-10 of 10 (10 new)
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Diane
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rated it4stars
Jun 13, 2016 05:45AM
Wasn't this wonderful? I like to imagine her flying around Paris in her strange looking car.
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Yes this was really good. I found myself conflicted in how I hoped it would end but I think Backman chose the best ending. If you haven't read it, I recommend My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, also by Backman. Even more wonderful (in my humble opinion).
Lovely review Sue. I loved Backman's two previous books and am hoping to get to this one soon.
I've read all 3, Sue. And will continue to read anything he publishes. He has a way of making us understand and love difficult people, which comes in handy in real life.
Esil wrote: "Lovely review Sue. I loved Backman's two previous books and am hoping to get to this one soon."Thanks Esil. I do intend to read the earlier books. He has such a way with creating characters and situations that just makes me want to read and read...
Diane wrote: "I've read all 3, Sue. And will continue to read anything he publishes. He has a way of making us understand and love difficult people, which comes in handy in real life."So true. His characters are ones that I might avoid or wonder about in my every-day world, but they do have so much to offer when they have a chance to blossom.
Great thoughts, Sue. I always thought it was a more social game than rugby, but never went as far as to really watch it on tv. lolol.It was great to learn how it served as a way of getting throught many difficult challenges in communities.
Margitte wrote: "Great thoughts, Sue. I always thought it was a more social game than rugby, but never went as far as to really watch it on tv. lolol.It was great to learn how it served as a way of getting throught..."Thanks Margitte. It certainly had social purposes within this novel even beyond the game itself. Well used. I think cities are trying to use soccer in the states that way too because it can be a more "pick up" sport than American football and more inclusive.
Susanne wrote: "Great Review!!"Thanks Susanne.
