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Britt-Marie Was Here,
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Phillip Sawyer
The two books compliment each other but each can read as a stand alone. Britt Marie is such an interesting character and this book makes one realize that everyone's perception of the world is so different. Britt Marie's life is colored by Asperger's or OCD or her upbringing. To others, life is very different. Books like this help us realize how differently we see the same thing. Both books are excellent in their own ways. Don't miss "A Man Called Ove" also.
Rachel
I read it as a stand-alone and enjoyed it.
Rhody Beer
I think all three books Ov, Britt-Marie, & My Grandmother are all about building community. Seeing them that way made them more enjoyable for me.
Beth
It would probably make this book more enjoyable but not really necessary. This can certainly be a stand alone novel.
Judy Harrigan
I read it as a follow-up and recommended my do the same to better understand. Britt-Marie. The enjoyment was multiplied.
Chris
No. I loved Grandmother, but other than sharing a character, the books are not related.
Lydia
Grandmother was really a disappointment! Technicallly, you could easily skip that book and jump into Britt-Marie with ease. All you need to know is that she WAS in the 2nd book and this is a story about her "after" she dumps her husband (whew). That's really all you need to know.
Olivia's Bookish Places & Spaces
I read "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" first. Britt-Marie was a minor character in that book and we were given some surface level information about her background. That made it easier for me to jump into "Brit-Marie Was Here". So I would recommend that first. Hope I helped!
Karen
I would say that this book would be a follow-up of My Grandmother.
Joan Westgate
Nope! I read "A Man Called Ove" then jumped into "Britt_maire was Here." My review is posted today.
Terre
Not at all. Other than the fact it shares a character with "Grandmother" and is a wonderful read either book can be read 1st. Enjoy!
Susana Rodrigues Alves
Yes, I think you should. Most of all, because "My Grandmother" is much better than this one and you get to understand a lot about Britt-Marie.
Sue
No. I read My Grandmother some time ago. I didn't realized that Britt Marie was a character in that book and now that I've been told, her character in that book really doesn't come to mind. I think it is fine as a stand alone novel.
Claudia
Having read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry first, I was glad I did. Sequentially, the one comes after Grandmother. I suppose they can be read alone, but I think I would have found it a slow start if I didn't know her back story from the other book.
Nancy
I hadn't even recognized that, so obviously you can thoroughly enjoy the book without the other. Thanks for telling me though, that gives me additional insight and clarity and now I will have to go back to Grandmother.... to catch the references.
Olivia's Bookish Places & Spaces
I read "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" first. Britt-Marie was a minor character in that book and we were given some surface level information about her background. That made it easier for me to jump into "Brit-Marie Was Here". So I would recommend that first. Hope I helped!
Jennifer
It is not necessary- both books are stand alone. That being said, it was nice to go into Britt-Marie Was Here already having an understanding of her and some of the characters she references.
Ulana
No, I don't think it is important to read that book first. I did read it before I read " Brit-Marie was Here." I like this book better since her character really comes out, and one then understands why she acts the way she does. I feel for her. I have read all three books.
Julie
I've read both and it's not necessary to read Grandmother first. If anything, I may go back and re-read it now that I feel like I know Britt-Marie better.
Kijo
This is the first book by Backman that I've read, but I loved it. I have also seen the movie adaptation of "A Man Called Ove", which is pretty good as well.
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