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Fredrik
Backman
Atria Books (Simon
& Schuster)
June 16, 2015/ ISBN 978-1501115066
Fiction
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
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A Man Called Ove, Backman’s
first novel, sold more than 500,000 copies in its native country
and has been published in more than twenty-five languages all
over the world.
Elsa is a precocious seven year old girl whose mother has remarried
and is expecting a baby – “Halfsie” as Elsa
calls it. Elsa feels insecure about the new baby’s arrival.
And because Elsa is smart and different, her peers at school
constantly chase and tease Elsa. Although Elsa lies to her mother
about her bruises, Granny knows the truth. Granny and Elsa are
very much alike, since everyone considers Granny a little odd
too.
Granny was a surgeon who traveled the world taking care of children,
and she now cares for Elsa. She created a world of fairy tales,
with many kingdoms and strange creatures, and even a secret
language they share.
Before Granny dies of cancer, she charges Elsa with delivering
letters bearing apologies. Each letter leads to a transformation
in Elsa’s world. One is to a reclusive young man who saves
Elsa from a beating by other children, but there are many other
zany characters whose lives are intricately woven with Granny’s
and Elsa’s. These characters all add depth to the story
and lead to Elsa’s growing understanding that the real
world is more than mere fairy tales. Slowly, Elsa develops a
closer relationship to those people who live around her.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is
an amazing and touching novel about the pain and insecurities
of youth and growing up. The author struck a deep emotional
chord and I didn't want to set aside the book for very long.
I loved the beautiful way Fredrik Backman slowly revealed the
deep emotions and pasts of the various characters, and added
wonderful comical elements that made me laugh outright. This
is one of the most adorable, delightful and heart-warming novels
that I have read in a very long time
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Reviewer
Linda Morelli is the award winning author of three published
romance novels. |
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