"Winsome, bittersweet...Wise and heartbreaking, Backman's slim novella celebrates the joy of connecting even in the midst of letting go."-- "People Magazine"
"A novella to be savored and reread about a boy, his dad and his grandpa as they learn to say goodbye. It's a little book with a big message."-- "San Francisco Chronicle"
"I read this beautifully imagined and moving novella in one sitting, utterly wowed, wanting to share it with everyone I know." --Lisa Genova, New York Times bestselling author of Still Alice
"Beautiful, dreamlike, heartbreaking, and heartwarming. Bring tissues. Bring all the tissues."-- "REALSIMPLE.COM"
"The saddest, sweetest book ever... It is heartbreakingly sad, but also beautiful and uplifting in the end."-- "LaSalle News Tribune"
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" "Even the most serious reader of fiction needs light relief, and for that afternoon when all you want is charm, this is the perfect book."-- "San Francisco Chronicle"
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"
An inspiring affirmation of love for life and acceptance of people for their essence and individual quirks. A Man Called Ove is a perfect selection for book clubs. It's well written and replete with universal concerns. It lacks violence and profanity, is life-affirming and relationship-driven. The book is bittersweet, tender, often wickedly humorous and almost certain to elicit tears. I contentedly wept my way through a box of tissues when I first read the novel and again when I savored it for a second time."-- "BookBrowse.com"
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)"
"Readers seeking feel-good tales with a message will rave about the rantings of this solitary old man with a singular outlook. If there was an award for 'Most Charming Book of the Year, ' this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down."-- "Booklist, 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"
"This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers... hysterically funny... wry descriptions, excellent pacing... In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden, generous heart."-- "Kirkus Reviews"
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" "Every bit as churlish but lovable as Backman's cantankerous protagonist in his debut, A Man Called Ove (2014), precocious Elsa will easily work her way into the hearts of readers who like characters with spunk to spare. A delectable homage to the power of stories to comfort and heal, Backman's tender tale of the touching relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter is a tribute to the everlasting bonds of deep family ties."-- "Booklist (starred)"
"Firmly in league with Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman. A touching, sometimes funny, often wise portrait of grief."
-- "Kirkus Reviews"
"In his second offering, Backman (A Man Called Ove) continues to write with the same whimsical charm and warm heart as in his debut."-- "Publishers Weekly"
An eclectic cast of characters, fairy-tale wisdom, and a little mystery... one of our favorite novels of the year so far.-- "SFGate.com"
PRAISE FOR BRITT-MARIE WAS HERE "The bestselling author of A MAN CALLED OVE returns with this heartwarming story about a woman rediscovering herself after personal crisis. Backman reveals Britt-Marie's need for order....with clear, tight descriptions. Insightful and touching, this is a sweet and inspiring story about truth and transformation. Fans of Backman's will find another winner in these pages."-- "Publishers Weekly" Britt-Marie's metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly seems all the more remarkable for the utterly discouraging environment in which it takes place.-- "Booklist"
"A brilliant mix of belly-laughs, profound insight and captivating events delivered... with Backman's pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature.-- "Shelf Awareness"