Thank you SO much Atria for the advance copy of this!

This book will be out on May 6th.

I remember the nerves I had sending the request to potential review an advance copy of a Backman book so when the approval email came in I was ELATED. I have such a respect for all authors but there is just something about his writing that struck a nerve with me after reading the Beartown series. It just sat with me for a long time and after reading this book I can tell you this struck me to my core. Those that know me, know that my favorite movie is "Stand By Me" and I couldn't help but see parallels between the two (trust me its still VERY different).

His writing is just so phenomenal and he has this way of making serious scenes also have humor. He also has this way of crafting a group of characters SO well. And in this case he is doing a story within a story which I feel like could be hard to do and yet he made it seem so easy.

I want to try to describe this book without giving too much away. This book is told from two timelines - the present as well as the past. In the past we get to learn all about the 4 friends and their magical summer when they were fourteen - The artist, Ted, Joar and Ali. The hardship that all 4 have gone through in their home life but their friendship is what made them keep going every day. They just had such immense respect for one another even if they didn't always know how to show it. A phrase they often said to one another is "I love you and I trust you." Oh my heart.

In the present timeline, Louisa an 18 year old orphan learns about that summer from one of the key players and how that summer 25 years ago changed all their lives and how it plays an effect on Louisa currently. The present timeline was such a hoot. Louisa and the key player (sorry not giving up a name!) went on such an adventure across the country and their banter was hysterical. As much as they didn't want Louisa to be around, you knew that they were going to eventually be charmed by her. And their relationship just felt so natural. Two individuals who have each led such a life were able to bond over their love of this painting, grieve together and most of all learning how to trust one another.

This book has so many layers to it and moving parts. And you would think it would be hard to keep track of and I thought I would have a difficult time but it all comes together. The middle part was a little slow compare to the beginning and the last 30% but the way that Backman writes, he makes you want to keep going and will leave on you chapter cliffhangers. I do wish I had the physical copy in the beginning so I could flip back and forth easier than with my kindle. I am going to be seeing Fredrik speak next month about this book and I am so excited to hear about how this story came to be.

Reading a Backman book is an experience. And this is an experience that you want to share with others. It was just so beautiful!

If you are looking for a story about platonic friendship and the love that doesn't go away with childhood friends but also a book filled with so much hope, give this book a read!

Extra Insights:

When I first read Beartown, I was tabbing all these amazing quotes and let me tell you, I highlighted so many moments and quotes in this more so than I ever have with any other book. I don't even know where to begin with ones that hit the hardest because they all hit. But here is a small round up of some of my favorite out of context quotes.

"Grown men don't have enough things they're afraid of on this planet to become good at running."

"It has to be said that Louisa hates many things about herself but most of all her height and weight. She wished for many things throughout her childhood, but perhaps more than anything she wished to be smaller."

"People always say that you should live as if every day was your last, but when you have children you realize that you have to live as if every day was their first."

"This must have been the longest train trip of your life."

"It suits you, that laugh. I'm glad they didn't manage to take it from you."
"Who?"
"All the people who have tried."