My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
Every 7-year-old needs a superhero. That's just how it is… and for Elsa, it's her Gran. When Gran dies, Elsa is surprised and devastated. Granny can't be old - Elsa has only known her for 7 years! Elsa still has to carry out Gran's last wish though; there are letters to be delivered and with each delivery, Elsa learns something more about Gran the person behind Gran the superhero. Will it enforce her hero status or destroy it?
| My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman | |
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| Category: General Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Ani Johnson
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| Summary: Seven-year-olds may need super heroes but this child has the makings of a literary superhero herself. A heart-warming, touching, surprising tale of a little girl learning about life, the world and her grandmother's part in it. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 352 | Date: June 2015 |
| Publisher: Sceptre | |
| ISBN: 978-1444775839 | |
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Swedish author Fredrik Backman who started writing in response to his urge for a more cheese-appropriate job (kid you not!) is back with his second novel. His first, A Man Called Ove introduced us to a deliciously grumpy ageing gent. This time, despite the elder-centric title, Fredrik shoots down to the other end of the age spectrum as the true hero of this novel is the delightfully bright (yes, those two words are compatible!) Elsa.
Elsa is intelligent to the extent that she's beaten up by her school classmates for using long words. However, all is made better by the proximity of Gran in the adjacent apartment. Therefore when Gran dies (during a wonderfully effective moment of less-is-more writing) a hole develops that Elsa isn't convinced will be filled by her pregnant mother, estranged father or either of their new partners.
There are also people around of whom the little girl is aware to some degree or other but it's not till she starts delivering their letters that she realises their importance in her Gran's life and vice versa.
Don't be misled into thinking that this is either a children's story or something full of misty-eyed sentimentality. Yes, there are emotional moments as it deals with death and its aftermath but it also deals with some gritty adult themes and moments of violence accompanied by adult-orientated language. It deals with life; the sort of life that shakes us up as well as delighting and worrying us.
Fredrick also has the balance right with Elsa in that although she's clever she remains a 7-year-old. She lives and dreams in her Gran's concocted story land with its concocted language. Her understanding of the world and interpretation of the occurrences around her are also as child-like as we'd expect, leaving us to put an adult spin on them in the light of our own experience.
Then gradually (without it becoming a fantasy novel) her story land and real world merge at the edges giving her a new understanding and taking the story in a different direction. Add this to the episodes that emerge from her Gran's life and nothing is as we expect it to be.
The author's lightness of touch is definitely a contributor towards the novel's success. (It's already a best seller in his native country.) Fredrik conveys much in a few words; for instance, as mentioned earlier, the moment we realise that Gran has gone and the fact that we suss a few lines before little Elsa does.
Or perhaps you're more of a fan of little throw away descriptions that capture much? As adults we understand Elsa's dad's problems as he grows used to not living in the same place adding a new layer to Elsa's estimation of him being a man who's not a big fan of laughing.
This is by no means a gender specific book as its attraction crosses the male/female divide. However a special warning to the ladies summed up in three words: wear waterproof mascara! I read the last few chapters verging between heart-glowing smiles and heart-wrenching sobs. I'll be ready for it the next few times I read it though and, indeed, the times after that.
(A big thank you to Sceptre for providing us with a copy for review.)
Further Reading: If you haven't caught up with it, A Man Called Ove is well worth a read. If you've read it already or if it's a young person's interpretation of the world that appeals, try the wonderful Boo by Neil Smith that offers you that with a very different twist.
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You can read more book reviews or buy My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman at Amazon.com.
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