5star
Ürünstar 5.0
Here Was Britt-Marie. Fredrik Backman
Get ready to fall head over heels for Britt-Marie, the fiery and lovable protagonist in Fredrik Backman's latest novel. This heartwarming story will capture your heart and have you laughing out loud - it's a wild ride of love, laughter, and a healthy dose of sass.
chevron_right
I devoured this heartwarming tale and laughed, cried, and felt all the feels - a quintessential Fredrik Backman novel with his signature humor and style!
summarizeEditor's Summary
I just devoured this quintessential Fredrik Backman novel, laughing, crying, and feeling all the feels. With his signature humor and style, he weaves a tale of self-discovery and acceptance that's both timely and thought-provoking. The writing is conversational, the dialogue is engaging, and the humor is spot on. It's a small book with 416 pages, but it's packed with substance and has a nice big font that makes it easy to read. I love how Backman speaks directly to you through his writing, and this book is definitely my favorite of his so far. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their stories. They're complex and multi-dimensional, with their own unique struggles and triumphs. The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are woven throughout the story, making it a great read for anyone looking for a heartwarming tale.
settingsSpecifications
KararMükemmel
YazarınStili9/10
HikayeHareketi8/10
HikayeKalitesi9/10
KarakterGelişimi8/10
KonuBütünlüğü7/10
A Heartwarming Tale of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
I've only read three of Fredrik Backman's books so far, and two of them have really blown me away (A Man Called Ove, Three Novels), while the third one was a total letdown (Grandma). But let me tell you, I'm glad I picked up Here Be Dragons – it's the fourth Backman novel I've read, and it's definitely my favorite so far!
I found this copy at my local library, and I have to say, it's a small book with 416 pages, but it's packed with dialogue and has a nice big font. Plus, it's so easy to read that you won't even notice how quickly you're devouring it. I mean, I was hooked from the very first page!
I just love Backman's writing style – it's like he's speaking directly to you, and his humor is spot on. He has this incredible way of describing people that's just mesmerizing! You'll find yourself rooting for Britt-Marie and the other characters from the very start.
Britt-Marie was a 60-year-old woman with a severe obsession with cleanliness and proper table settings – I mean, who wouldn't want to make sure their utensils are arranged just so? But it's not just about the little things; she's a total perfectionist and has this weird fixation on what people think of her. If she's supposed to be somewhere at 8:00, she'll show up at 8:02 just to make sure she's not being too pushy.
She's got so many lists that she had to make a list of lists – or else she'd forget to buy soap. And let's be real, who hasn't been there at some point? But what I love about Britt-Marie is that she's not just a one-dimensional character; she's complex and multi-faceted, and you'll find yourself missing her when it's all over.
And it was the same with all the other characters – at first, they were all annoyed with Britt-Marie's weird habits and her fixation on cleanliness, but eventually, they all grew to appreciate her quirks and realized that life would be dull without her. It's a beautiful story about acceptance and understanding, and it's something that we can all learn from.
It was her perfect husband Kent who changed the story, and Britt-Marie left him. She didn't just leave anywhere, she went to a place called Borg, where the last remnants of the Youth Center were still standing, and the rest of the infrastructure in the town had been shut down. Only a rich imagination would allow you to pretend you don't understand what's going on, when you're washing shirts that smell of perfume... – she whispered.
There, she meets the locals: "Bank", "Personality", Vega, Omar, Sammy, Sven, etc. And each character starts to slowly enter her life, filling the emptiness and pain in her heart. I read this book with a smile on my face, it was so funny! Sometimes touching, sometimes ridiculous, but at the same time, it was both funny and enjoyable.
The author pays a lot of attention to football. In Borg, there's a local team of mismatched football players who never hit the goal, unless they're aiming for it on purpose. But for these kids, football is their whole life. Gradually, Britt-Marie understands just how much this game means to them. She starts to look at her own life differently too.
Football, in this sense, is a remarkable game because it makes life go on. The book has unpredictable moments, there's an intrigue. For example, I didn't expect the author to do what they did with one of the characters, I was literally crying, it was so sad... Also, I was surprised by the ending. I was waiting for Britt-Marie to choose someone, it seemed like the resolution should be pretty predictable, but no, she chose what she had been putting off for so long. And that's commendable!
This book makes you think and look at your life in a new way. How do we live it? Are we surrounded by the right people? What place do our dreams occupy in our lives, and what are we willing to sacrifice for them? Several years turned into a few more years, and a few more years turned into life. And one morning, you realize there's more life behind you than ahead, and you don't understand how it happened.
This book, "Here Be Dragons," turned out to be both funny and touching at the same time. It's such a warm story that I'm ready to re-read some parts again and again! Backman is simply a master of words! His style of storytelling is hard to confuse with anyone else's. And this book: +1 for my favorite books by the author.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Engaging storyline with complex charactersHumorous and touching at the same timeThought-provoking themes of acceptance and understandingWell-written and easy to readCons:
None
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is this book a typical Fredrik Backman novel?
Yes, it's a quintessential Backman novel with his signature humor and style. But it's also a heartwarming tale of self-discovery and acceptance that will leave you feeling all the feels.
How long does it take to read this book?
With 416 pages and a nice big font, it's a relatively quick read. But don't worry, you'll be hooked from the very first page and won't want to put it down.
Is this book suitable for all ages?
While the book deals with some heavy themes, it's generally suitable for readers of all ages. However, sensitive readers may want to be aware of the potential triggers.
Can I read this book as a standalone?
Yes, you can definitely read this book as a standalone. While it's part of a series, it's designed to be a self-contained story with its own unique themes and characters.
Is this book part of a series?
Yes, it's part of the Mythos series, which explores the world of Norse mythology in a unique and fascinating way.
Can I find this book at my local library?
Yes, you can definitely find this book at your local library. I found it there, and it's a great way to discover new authors and titles.
How does the book's writing style compare to other Backman novels?
The writing style is conversational and engaging, making it feel like Backman is speaking directly to you. It's a unique and refreshing take on storytelling.
Are the characters in this book well-developed and relatable?
Yes, the characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their stories. They're complex and multi-dimensional, with their own unique struggles and triumphs.
What themes does the book explore?
The book explores themes of self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of stories to shape our lives. It's a timely and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human.
Is the book's ending satisfying?
Yes, the book's ending is satisfying and thought-provoking. It's a great conclusion to the story, and it will leave you feeling fulfilled and inspired.
check_circlePros
- •The writing style is conversational and engaging, making it feel like Backman is speaking directly to you.
- •The dialogue is witty and natural, making it easy to become immersed in the story.
- •The humor is spot on, and I found myself laughing out loud at several points.
- •The book is packed with substance, despite its small size, and has a nice big font that makes it easy to read.
- •The themes of self-discovery and acceptance are timely and thought-provoking.
- •The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their stories.
- •The book explores the power of stories to shape our lives, which is a unique and refreshing take on storytelling.
- •The writing is well-paced, with a good balance between action and introspection.
- •The book deals with some heavy themes, but it's handled in a way that's both respectful and thought-provoking.
cancelCons
- •Some readers may find the pacing a bit slow in certain sections.
- •The book deals with some heavy themes, which may be triggering for sensitive readers.
- •The characters' struggles can be emotionally draining at times.
- •The book's small size may lead some readers to finish it too quickly, leaving them wanting more.
- •The themes of self-discovery and acceptance may not resonate with readers who prefer more action-oriented stories.
- •The book's ending may feel a bit abrupt for some readers.
- •Some readers may find the characters' motivations a bit unclear at times.
- •The book could benefit from a bit more world-building, especially for readers who are new to the series.
