[WPF] My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, by Fredrik Backman- 3 stars

[Hilde]

Mormor hilser og sier unnskyld/(My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman - 3 stars

Our main protagonist Elsa is almost 8, and her best and only friend in this world is her grandma. Her grandma is quite the eccentric character, and even though they quarrel quite a lot, they always become friends again.
When Elsa is sad, her grandmother takes her to her fantasy world 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 letters lead her to an apartment building full of drunks, monsters, attack dogs, and totally ordinary old crones, but also to the truth about fairytales and kingdoms and a grandmother like no other.

I have only read A Man Called Ove before this, and this was quite different. Still, the underlying themes of humanity and not really knowing every side of the people in your life are the same. However, I wasn’t charmed as much by Elsa as I was by Ove. I found the language to be a little stilted, and the matureness level of Elsa was quite unbelievable. At least I have yet to meet a 7-year-old with so mature thoughts in my life. The fantasy part also became a tad bit too much.

Still, overall an enjoyable and charming read.

[Hilde]

Thanks, Ann! I have only read "Ove" before this, and that one I loved. This was just ok. Don't waste your time on it if it doesn't pull you in when/if you start it :)