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Britt-Marie Was Here: A Novel Audiobook
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(5.00) - 3 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Anxious People captivates readers with this “warm and satisfying” (People) 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 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.
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"A wonderful story brilliantly read by an entertaining narrator who is able to give the characters even more charm with her voice. I thoroughly enjoyed enjoyed this book! "
— Melissa (5 out of 5 stars)
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“A brilliant mix of belly laughs, profound insight, and captivating events delivered…with Backman’s pitch-perfect dialogue and an unparalleled understanding of human nature.”
— Shelf Awareness -
“Narrator Joan Walker perfectly captures [Britt-Marie’s] every emotion and character trait…Walker also captures the voice of the secondary characters—from the scrappy young footballers to the quirky adults, who all come together because of Britt-Marie’s presence in their lives. Walker’s engaged, seamless narration combined with the heartwarming story makes for delightful listening. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”
— AudioFile -
“Backman hits a nice note between overly sweet and hard-boiled fiction; excellent for book clubs.”
— Library Journal (starred review) -
“[A] heartwarming story about a woman rediscovering herself…Details of Britt-Marie’s character, what her husband cited as her being ‘socially incompetent,’ increasingly endear her to the reader. Insightful and touching, this is a sweet and inspiring story about truth and transformation.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Britt-Marie’s metamorphosis from cocoon to butterfly seems all the more remarkable for the utterly discouraging environment in which it takes place.”
— Booklist -
“Backman has written another bestseller with his latest novel. While at first Britt-Marie seems intolerable and aggravating, readers are quickly endeared to her obsessive-compulsive ways and frank honesty. At first the writing style comes off sharp; however, readers quickly see that is how Britt-Marie processes the world and it too becomes something amicable. Heartfelt and truly stirring, Britt-Marie Was Here resonates long after the last page is read.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
Awards
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A May 2016 LibraryReads Pick
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
Britt-Marie Was Here Listener Reviews
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" Fredrick Backman has very quickly become my fav. Author. Flawless in his ability to portray human strengths and weaknesses. "
— Jan, 1/1/2021 -
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Gloria Swaine, 10/2/2017
About Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author of the New York Times bestselling novel Beartown, as well as A Man Called Ove, and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here, among others. His books are published in more than forty countries and have sold more than ten million copies.
About Joan Walker
Joan Walker is a voice talent and an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator.