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My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
- KateHubb
- Oct 10, 2016
- 2 min read
"Every 7 year old needs a superhero." What do you do when yours dies and leaves you a treasure hunt that tie up their loose ends?
Author: Fredrik Backman
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 372
Listened to audiobook
Recommended to: Anyone who has ever grown up and/or lost a parent. Or anyone who likes stories of wacky old ladies.
Song: "I Don't Know My Name" by Grace Vanderwaal
Have you heard of Grace Vanderwaal. She's a song-writing, ukulele-playing, talent competition-winning phenom. She reminds me of the main character in this book, Elsa.
Great Characters
Like Grace, Elsa is small and quirky and smart. This seven year old is also dealing with the loss of her grandma.
The first chapter is, by far the best part of the book. During this chapter, grandma is alive. She is hilarious and pulls the best antics. Come chapter #2, you really do feel the void and loss of this woman.
Elsa is surrounded by a complicated array of mixed family members and neighbors. They each have something unique and lovable to offer. They are all charmingly different and immediately recognizable.
Why the Apology?
As someone who apologizes way too much, I can tell you that not every "sorry" is warranted. At first you think that grandma's apologies will be for her antics. (You'll need to read to understand.) Then you find a much deeper, farther reaching motive to the apology. It's Elsa, who need to deliver the apologies. In so doing, she finds a new side of her grandma while also providing closure for everyone.
All Time Is Eternity
I love that each measurement of time is an eternity to Elsa. it's a little inside joke between her and her grandma, and it's a perfect way for a child to tell time.
Before too many eternities go by, try reading this book. It's a good one!
If you liked this book, you might also like: "A Year Down Yonder" by Richard Peck.
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