And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella

Fredrik Backman: You brought me to my knees. This novella had me sobbing, smiling, laughing and in bewildered awe of the beautiful words that you are able to write so melodically on a page. You capture emotion between characters so exquisitely. In this incredible novella, Grandpa and Noahnoah (his grandson) have a very special relationship. They understand each other perfectly. It is this perfect relationship, that makes Grandpa's plight harder and harder each day. Harder because Grandpa doesn't know how to explain it at first, and then has trouble remembering it in the first place. Noahnoah loves his Grandpa more than anything. And he will do whatever it takes to help his Grandpa remember everything he can about his life, including reminding him about the love of his life, and what its like to fall in love (which took my breath away and left me an emotional wreck). To say that this story is special is an understatement. Fredrik Backman, is in my opinion, the most gifted author I have come across in years. I have loved all of his books desperately and hold each one very close to my heart. Each character is a delight in and of itself. In this novella, "And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer" I found Grandpa and Noahnoah to be truly unique. Noahnoah is so very bright, gifted and special. Grandpa's love and affection for his wife makes me wish and hope that someday, I will lucky enough to find something that even closely resembles that. To think that Fredrik Backman wrote this to help cope with a real life situation. First, I am so sorry; and second, thank you for sharing this amazing story. It touched me in ways I can't even begin to describe. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Fredrik Backman for an ARC of this incredibly beautiful novella in exchange for an honest review. It was my honor and privilege to read and review it. Published on NetGalley, Amazon and Goodreads on 11/4/16.

And Everyday the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer’ is a novella about the love one man has for his son, grandson, and wife. The man is slowly slipping into a state of memory loss. His greatest fear is that he will soon not remember any of his most beloved memories. In a letter to the reader at the beginning of the story, Backman states,’This is a story about memories and letting go. It’s a love letter and a slow farewell between a man and his grandson, and between a dad and his boy.’ He also explains that writing this story was a type of therapy for him as he too has experience with a loved one with memory loss. As I began to read this story, I soon realized that this is both a similar and different type of story to Backman’s other works. It is similar in that it portrays an older person and their relationships. It is different in that the story line is not as straight forward as other Backman’s works. The story is told through the perspective of the grandfather who is sinking deeper into dementia. It switches between the grandfather speaking with his grandson, Noah, his son,Ted, and his wife who had previously passed away. His thought process is scattered but at the same time deeply symbolic. He likens his brain to a park square that gets smaller and smaller each day and the ‘way home’ is his process to remember details of his life each morning. He then explains that the objects in the park symbolize different memories. Although this was less of an easy read then I found Backman’s other books, to be, this book is just as amazing. It gives an honest look at how hard and complicated it must be to lose someone you love before they actually die. Backman does a wonderful job of panting a picture of someones mind as they are mentally slipping away. Another amazing read from Backman and a quick read as it’s only ninety-six pages. Backman has an amazing gift for writing characters that I makes me feel that I know them personally. This is one of those books that is a must read for all.

Loved this book. Read it in one sitting. So many lessons woven into a very sweet connection between grandfather and grandso.

A short and sweet story A perfect reflection of a person living with dementia… I cried and cried several times

9月はわっしょい！バックマン祭り！ と言うのも新しい作品"Anxious People"が先日リリースされたばかりで本が到着するまでに他も読んでみようと色々選んだ中の1冊。 こちらは短編です。 カバーから見て取れるように「グランパと孫のノア君」をメインにお話しが進みます。ノア君のパパも出てきますが表紙のまま想像して良いと思います。お船にも意味があります。本の中にも可愛い挿し絵が2人に寄り添うように描かれています。 アルツハイマーのグランパ。頭の中に「スクエア」と言う場所があり、そこにはノア君にあげたオモチャがあったり、先に逝ってしまった愛しいグランマとも会話が出来ます。それにグランマが好きだったヒヤシンスの香りもいっぱいします。 ただ このスクエア(脳)がだんだんと小さくなり…本のタイトル通りお家(現実)に戻るまで/思い出すまでの距離がだんだんと長くなっていきます。昔は仕事一筋で息子に自転車の乗り方さえ教えなかったグランパ。変わり果てた父親の姿を見て息子(ノアパパ)は胸を痛めます。 内容はとてもシリアスで悲しいお話なのですが、そこはバックマン。ユーモアが加わり思わず笑ってしまう場面も。 ノア君はいつでもグランパを優しく包み温かい言葉をかけます。 うーっ！泣いてまうーっ！ たった80ページほどでこれだけを表現するって…がーさす！ 悲しいけど心あたたまる1冊です。

One of the best recent author ...this book is great, well written, makes me cry every time I read it. Fast delivery too

Loved it, the character0s were so real, I felt the journey with them. I didn't want it to end but it ended in a good place.

Fabulous writing.... Exciting and emotional book with plenty of humour

Backman is one of my favorite storytellers. Characters who are at the same time difficult and lovable. This book reminds me of my father in law z’l. So touching. A great read!