Britt-Marie Was Here

The number one European bestseller by the author of the international phenomenon A Man Called Ove, this novel is a funny, poignant, and uplifting tale of love, community, and unexpected new beginnings. For as long as anyone can remember, Britt-Marie has been an acquired taste. It is not that she is judgmental, or fussy, or difficult—she simply expects things to be done in a precise, logical way. A cutlery drawer, for instance, should always be arranged in the proper order: forks, knives, then spoons. After all, we are not animals. Yet, underneath the passive-aggressive, socially awkward, and absurdly pedantic busybody is a woman with a far bigger imagination, grander dreams, and a warmer heart than anyone around her realizes.

When Britt-Marie suddenly finds herself unemployed and separated from her husband of twenty years, she is forced to fend for herself in Borg, a miserable provincial backwater whose only redeeming quality is the road cutting through it. Tasked with the unlikely job of running the local youth football team, she is completely unprepared for the chaos ahead. Through this eccentric community, she discovers that life still has plenty to offer her, and that connection and love can be found in the most unexpected places. This masterful narrative captures Fredrik Backman's signature blend of humor and compassion, delivering a comforting story about the power of finding where you belong.