Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman– 336 pages
ARC from Netgalley
Book Blurb:
Britt-Marie can’t stand mess. She eats dinner at precisely the right time and starts her day at six in the morning because only lunatics wake up later than that. And she is not passive-aggressive. Not in the least. It’s just that sometimes people interpret her helpful suggestions as criticisms, which is certainly not her intention. But at sixty-three, Britt-Marie has had enough. She finally walks out on her loveless forty-year marriage and finds a job in the only place she can: Borg, a small, derelict town devastated by the financial crisis. For the fastidious Britt-Marie, this new world of noisy children, muddy floors, and a roommate who is a rat (literally), is a hard adjustment. In this world of oddballs and misfits, can Britt-Marie finally find a place where she belongs?
My Review: 4 stars
Britt-Marie Was Here is a book that reminds us all that it’s never to late to move forward or make a drastic change in your life. Usually, it is unforeseen circumstances that give the nudge and this was the case for the main protagonist, Britt-Marie. She’s a bit lonely, a smidge of “nag bag” and a dollop of OCD, which makes her the ultimate underdog and one to cheer on from the start.
Many laugh out loud moments coupled with an equal amount of tender ones allow this book to read quickly. This book opens your heart to small towns, never giving up, figuring out your dreams and oddly enough, soccer.
A lovely read, perfect for vacation or when you need of cup of goodness.
Quotes I liked:
At a certain age almost all the questions a person asks him or herself are really just about one thing: how should you live your life?”
-“One morning you wake up with more life behind you than in front of you, not being able to understand how it’s happened.”
-“Soccer forces life to move on. There’s always a new match. A new season. There’s always a dream that everything can get better. It’s a game of wonders.”
As I was reading the description of the book, my first thought was of Ove. Then, I see that it is the same author. I will definitely put this on my ever growing list.
Yep, the one and only!