Britt-Marie Was Here - Hardcover

Backman, Fredrik

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1501142534 ISBN 13: 9781501142536

Publisher: Atria Books, 2016

Synopsis

The bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry returns with an irresistible novel about finding love and second chances in the most unlikely of places.

Britt-Marie can't stand mess. A disorganized cutlery drawer ranks high on her list of unforgivable sins. She begins her day at 6 a.m., 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. She is not one to judge others--no matter how ill-mannered, unkempt, or morally suspect they might be.

But hidden inside the socially awkward, fussy busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams, and a warmer heart that anyone around her realizes.

When Britt-Marie walks out on her cheating husband and has to fend for herself in the miserable backwater town of Borg--of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it--she is more than a little unprepared. Employed as the caretaker of a soon-to-be demolished recreation center, the fastidious Britt-Marie has to cope with muddy floors, unruly children, and a (literal) rat for a roommate. She finds herself being drawn into the daily doings of her fellow citizens, an odd assortment of miscreants, drunkards, layabouts--and a handsome local policeman whose romantic attentions to Britt-Marie are as unmistakable as they are unwanted. Most alarming of all, she's given the impossible task of leading the supremely untalented children's soccer team to victory. In this small town of big-hearted misfits, can Britt-Marie find a place where she truly belongs?

Funny and moving, observant and humane, Britt-Marie Was Here celebrates the unexpected friendships that change us forever, and the power of even the gentlest of spirits to make the world a better place.

About this title

Review:

"Warm and satisfying."--People Magazine

"Universal...Backman hits a nice note between overly sweet and hard-boiled fiction; excellent for book clubs."--Library Journal (starred review)

"Britt-Marie's metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly seems all the more remarkable for the utterly discouraging environment in which it takes place."--Booklist

BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE [is] the story of a curmudgeon you can't help but grow to love... The story is by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, and you'll find yourself cheering for Britt-Marie."--Salisbury Post

PRAISE FOR A MAN CALLED OVE

"A charming debut...You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel new sympathy for the curmudgeons in your life. You'll also want to move to Scandinavia, where everything's cuter."--People

"A light hearted, deeply moving novel about a grumpy but loveable curmudgeon who finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. This quirky debut is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the impact one life has on countless others--and an absolute delight."--CBS Local

"A Man Called Ove is exquisite. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. Backman's characters feel so authentic that readers will likely find analogues living in their own neighborhoods."--Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love... The author writes with winning charm."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

PRAISE FOR MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE'S SORRY

"[...] Believable and fanciful. Backman's smooth storytelling infuses his characters with charm and wit. . . Engaging. . . A delightful story."--St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Firmly in league with Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman. A touching, sometimes funny, often wise portrait of grief."

--Kirkus Reviews

Book Description:

The number 1 European bestseller by the author of the international phenomenon A Man Called Ove, Britt-Marie was Here is a funny, poignant and uplifting tale of love, community, and second chances.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atria Books
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1501142534
• ISBN 13: 9781501142536
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 324