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."

Item Information Item Information

Format: TradePaperback
Author: Backman, Fredrik
ISBN: 9781432837778
Condition: Used
Dimensions: 8.40 x 1.00
Publication Year: 2017

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Loving the Unloveable Character

Kristen B. - 1 year ago

In Britt-Marie Was Here, we pick up where "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" leaves off. Britt-Marie's husband has just had a heart attack and unfortunately for Britt-Marie, her husband's mistress was with him when it happened. And, well, in Britt-Marie's own words, once you speak to the mistress on the phone, you can't very well go on pretending like she doesn't exist. She and her husband split up, leaving her all alone for the first time in a very long time. She finds a job in a tiny village as a caretaker for a recreational center. There, she meets some young boys and girls who change her life forever. Backman manages to do something few people can. He takes very unlikeable characters and not only creates a delightful story but also manages to make you love that very same unlikeable character by the end. This book is highly recommended for everyone who loved A Man Called Ove.
HPB Staff Review
Britt-Marie is a lovable, frustrating, entertaining character - one of a kind!

Martha O. - 5 years 9 months ago

I read this book immediately after finishing "My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry". Britt-Marie was one of the characters in that story and I was curious to learn more about her life. As with all of Backman's books, this story revolved around a very quirky but lovable character. At times Britt-Marie makes you want to scream and shake her and at other times you want to be her friend and give her a big hug! If you are a huge fan of Fredrik Backman's writing like I am, I would definitely recommend this book. #SummerReading
Another Brilliant Book by Backman

TIM G. - 5 years 9 months ago

Entertaining in the same way that My Name is Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry are entertaining. I listened to a lot of it on audio. I got a little confused at the end - it wasn't extremely clear to me who ended up with who and I had to go back and read that part too. Some other ladies in my book club also said the end was a bit confusing. But other than that it is a nice, light read perfect for #SummerReading.
Fredrik Backman gets it right every time!

Becky R. - 7 years 6 months ago

After reading A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, I've come to the realization that Fredrik Backman can do no wrong. With a few intimate characters, a variety of personalities, and a journey toward growth, Backman provides us with a beautiful tale of letting go. Britt-Marie has left her old life behind. She's ready to make changes and take on the world, as long as her favorite cleaners and baking soda come along for the ride. Entering a down-on-their-luck, almost-on-the-brink-of-becoming-a-ghost-town, Britt-Marie does the unexpected. She begins to grow and change. She might even make a few friends, and at the end of it all, there's a good chance she gets to know herself and what she has to bring to the world at large. An insightful, engaging, and genuine story about learning new life lessons and becoming more of the person you want to be and always have believed you are. I love this book and highly recommend any of Fredrik Backman's books! They are amazing books with wonderful characters and insightful life lessons.
HPB Staff Review
Second chances and new beginings

Katherine M. - 7 years 9 months ago

She wonders how much space a person has left in her to change herself, once she gets older. What people does she still have to meet, what will they see in her, and what will they make her see in herself?. Britt-Marie finds herself in a need of a fresh start. After discovering that her husband is cheating on her, Britt-Marie sets out to prove to herself that all of the negative things her husband has said about her in the past aren't true. Determined to prove she's independent she lands a job as a youth soccer coach, despite having no previous experience or knowledge of soccer. Britt-Marie finds herself in a small town experiencing hard economic times. The only joy to be found is on the soccer field, which is actually just a parking lot. Slowly she begins to change her outlook on herself and helps to bring the town together by being her stubbornly, cleaning obsessive, self. A story that is inspiring, charming, and witty. Let Britt-Marie and her team of rag tag misfits score a winning goal in your heart.
HPB Staff Review

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Britt-Marie Was Here

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Loving the Unloveable Character

Britt-Marie is a lovable, frustrating, entertaining character - one of a kind!

Another Brilliant Book by Backman

Fredrik Backman gets it right every time!

Second chances and new beginings