The New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry “returns with this heartwarming story about a woman rediscovering herself after a personal crisis…fans of Backman will find another winner in these pages” (Publishers Weekly). Britt-Marie can’t stand mess. A disorganized cutlery drawer ranks high on her list of unforgivable sins. She is … high on her list of unforgivable sins. She is not one to judge others–no matter how ill-mannered, unkempt, or morally suspect they might be. It’s just that sometimes people interpret her helpful suggestions as criticisms, which is certainly not her intention.
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 finds work as the caretaker of a soon-to-be demolished recreation center. The fastidious Britt-Marie soon finds herself being drawn into the daily doings of her fellow citizens, an odd assortment of miscreants, drunkards, layabouts. 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 misfits, can Britt-Marie find a place where she truly belongs?
Funny and moving, sweet and inspiring, Britt-Marie Was Here celebrates the importance of community and connection in a world that can feel isolating.more
Fredrik Backman has a gift for developing quirky, often curmudgeony and obsessive compulsive, characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. Britt-Marie is one of these characters. I’d ready, Your Grandmother Tells and A Man Called Ove, before this one and was smitten just the same.
I normally don’t like books that make me sad but this book was funny enough that it I laughed as much as I teared up . It was truly enlightening and I definitely will read more books about Britt Marie
Every so often, I felt just like Brit-Marie. And, the wonder and excitement she discovered in her life was just like Christmas morning.
Another great book ! Britt-Marie was a character in “My Granny Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry”. Now she’s striking out on her own, and finds herself in a very small,dying town. As she settles into her new life, she meets some pretty crazy characters whom she falls in love with. This story is one of finding oneself and along the way, learning how wonderful it is to live and care about others,who come into your life. I LOVED this book.
Some time ago, my little old aunt (who lives in Australia and shuffles off to Italy for several months of every year) suggested I read A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman (an author I had never heard of).
Well, reading Ove led me to Beartown which led me to Brit-Marie Was Here. Next up My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry.
Why do I like Backman’s books so much? They’re about people, regular ordinary people living their lives as best they can. Why do Backman’s characters sing in our hearts? For me, it’s because he takes us into their inner most being. We see their very essence—beliefs, struggles, and desires which become ours as we read. We want for them, what they want for themselves, we recognize our own strengths and foibles as we see theirs. Through his characters, Backman presents philosophical questions that we don’t consider as we hustle about our daily routines, but probably should.
An added bonus is Backman’s beautiful writing style. So pick up one and enjoy! Click here.
BIO
Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove (soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, as well as two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children.
It has been several months since I read this book and I still am in awe of Britt Marie and how she rose above her circumstances. Admittedly, Britt Marie is not a person I would probably like in real life – she would doubtless drive me nuts very quickly. And yet Britt Marie is fighting her own battles in her own way and come out triumphant in the end. I have recommended this book to many of my friends and my personal copy is making the rounds….a testimony to this novel’s appeal.
Quirky characters make this read fun and interesting but poignant when you see yourself in them. A subliminal message that “all lives matter” in this short time we spend on earth.
I loved Britt-Marie. Kind of strange, but she adapted to each situation that came to her life. At the end, I was cheering for her and glad of the ending. Very human, we all are a little different. Well written, a book I won’t forget.
Brit-Maria is a wonderful character. You need to read “My Grandmother told me to tell you she was sorry” first though – by the same author. Brit- Maria moves from a closed, boxed in woman and becomes a free spirit in her own right. Such a great story
Britt-Marie Was Here is a coming of age story about a 63 (I believe, didnt double check) year old woman who left her husband of many years after finding out he was having an affair with a younger woman.
Loved loved loved!