Genre Fiction
![Fredrik Backman - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B00KV5TN4I.jpg)
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
A charming, warmhearted novel from the author of the New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove.
Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy-as in standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-strangers crazy. She is also Elsa's best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother's stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.
When Elsa's grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa's greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother's instructions lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as Fredrik Backman's bestselling debut novel, A Man Called Ove. It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different.
Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy-as in standing-on-the-balcony-firing-paintball-guns-at-strangers crazy. She is also Elsa's best, and only, friend. At night Elsa takes refuge in her grandmother's stories, in the Land-of-Almost-Awake and the Kingdom of Miamas, where everybody is different and nobody needs to be normal.
When Elsa's grandmother dies and leaves behind a series of letters apologizing to people she has wronged, Elsa's greatest adventure begins. Her grandmother's instructions lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and old crones but also to the truth about fairy tales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry is told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as Fredrik Backman's bestselling debut novel, A Man Called Ove. It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different.
Editorial Reviews
"Bring tissues when you start My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, but bring your funnybone, too. It's that kind of book – one that, if you miss it, you'll never forgive yourself." ― Business Insider
"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)
"Full of heart, hope, forgiveness, and the embracing of differences, Elsa's story is one that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page." ― Library Journal
"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
"I can't remember the last time that I read a book where I alternately cried and laughed, and sometimes both at the same time." -- Shelf Awareness
"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)
"Full of heart, hope, forgiveness, and the embracing of differences, Elsa's story is one that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page." ― Library Journal
"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
"I can't remember the last time that I read a book where I alternately cried and laughed, and sometimes both at the same time." -- Shelf Awareness
Readers Top Reviews
Forever AshAdriannaI
What an engaging and entertaining story! While it is mostly written in a humorous manner, there are parts that really pull at the heart strings. A very beautiful modern day fairytale for anyone who has ever had or ever wanted a special knight/partner in crime to make adventures with. Also, as an adult with a young child, I find that this book gives some insights into our childrens minds that perhaps we may've forgotten along the way into adulthood. Surprisingly funny with little gems of wisdom throughout.
Hils
I think this is my new favourite book for 2015!
Andrea / Matthewkath
If you like a book that keeps you wanting more, than this is not it. I thought it was very boring. I really wanted to like it because of all the good reviews but it really put me to sleep after reading a couple pages at a time. I thought the make believe stories in the Land of Almost Awake and Kingdom of Miamis was just plain stupid. No offense to anybody who loved this book, it just wasn’t my cup of tea... if only I could get my money back...
Charla Wilson
This book is different from most books for adults, because it is written from the perspective of a 7 year old girl. Her name is Elsa and she is very smart for her age. Elsa's Mom works all the time and is also very pregnant. So, Elsa spends most of her time with her eccentric Grandmother who lives in the same group of flats. Grandma is a retired physician, as well as a mischievous, fun loving person that knows how to live life to its fullest. Elsa is being bullied at school, which she keeps from most everyone, with the exception of Grandma. Grandma introduces Elsa to "the land of almost awake" where they both escape from reality. Grandma gets cancer and Elsa is left with the job of fulfilling Grandma's request to deliver a series of letters to all of the people Grandma cared about and had, at one point helped in some way. Coincidentally, all of these people lived in the same block of flats. It is in Elsa's attempt to fulfill this request that she discovers herself and finds out a lot more about the people that live around her. And, each of these people have a unique story and history. At times, Elsa seems so much older than 7, going on 8. However, her best friend is her Grandma. This book will make you laugh, cry, worry, and keep you glued to it until the end. It should really be on everyone's reading list! My new favorite author is Fredrick Backman! If you loved "A Man Called Ove," then you will love this one too!
BookReaderC. Alfred
I couldn’t make it past page 100. So far, 80% of what I have read was about a fairy tale the girl had created in her mind with made up animals and kingdoms. I felt like I was reading a children’s bedtime story. I wish the book was more about the storyline than this land she imagined. The book never picked up pace. I couldn’t bring myself to finish it and I usually always force myself to finish a book regardless if I have interest in it or not. I wanted to like it because I love this author!
