My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry

Elsa and her grandmother have a very special bond.  They go on adventures around town and visit magical kingdoms in their wardrobe.  They even speak a secret language only they know.  But Elsa’s whole world is turned upside down when her grandmother gets sick.  What if the imaginary world was actually real?  What if other people know their secret language?  What if…her grandmother isn’t at all who Elsa thought she was?  One scavenger hunt adventure at a time, Elsa learns what her grandmother has been hiding and finds her strengths along the way.

Fredrik Backman’s 2013 novel My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry is a love song to grandparents around the world.  The long-lasting impact they have on their families and the communities around them may not be evident in the moment, but Backman shows how one small kindness or act can affect their grandkids for their entire lives.  This Goodreads Choice Awards nominee exhibits Backman at his best – a little mystery and community togetherness, while also tackling mental health awareness.  This is a story of coming together across generations, ethnicities, and economic statuses for the benefit of the community.

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I give My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry 5 out of 5 stars.  After reading A Man Called Ove and Anxious People, I knew I needed to read more of Backman’s work.  As a kid who was raised in part by my grandparents while my parents were working, I connected immediately with Elsa in this book.  I love the way I was think I have the characters figured out in Backman’s books, but get surprise after surprise while reading.  I’m also a huge fan of the witty banter and interpersonal conflict between the characters.  This book reads like a drama, but also like an adventure or action book throughout. 

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If you are a fan of Backman’s other works, you will love this one, too!  This would be a great book club selection because of all the surprises and amazing characters.  With discussions of war, domestic violence, and cancer, this may not be the best book for everyone, but I think this would be a great book for all readers over 13.  If you’re like me and were raised with a special connection to your grandparents, you will especially love this read.

I chose My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “grandparents”.  This prompt is in honor of Grandparents Day yesterday.  My grandmother was one of the original librarians for Fulton County public schools around Atlanta.  I spent most of my summer days with her while my mom, an elementary teacher, was completing continuing education courses.  My favorite memory of this time with my grandmother was her stories – she created so many stories to keep me entertained without screens.  That is one of the many reasons why I connected with this book so deeply – Elsa’s grandmother created stories for her, too!  What’s your favorite memory with your grandparents?

 

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What I’m Reading

• Current print book: Tom Clancy Defense Protocol, Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson
• Current audio book: The Christmas Inn, Pamela M Kelley
• Book I’m most looking forward to: The Secret Life of Bees, Sue Monk Kidd