Ep. 50: LoveFest (Fredrik Backman)

Summary: It’s time for another awesome LoveFest with Devin and Holly! This week they discuss Swedish author extraordinaire, Fredrik Backman. Known globally for his stories full of heart, redemption, and seeking meaning in the hardest parts of life, he’s been a long-time favorite of both hosts. He sheds light on octogenarians and children, the ignored and the marginalized in his writing and brings would-be villains into a gentle light. We love rooting for all his characters! 

Topics Discussed:

• Background (4:39): Backman debuted with A Man Called Ove in 2012 and lives in Sweden with his wife and two children; Holly and Devin discuss how they discovered his work and stand-out aspects of his writing. 

• Curmudgeon Book Discussion (10:59):

• A Man Called Ove: After his wife’s death, Ove decides life isn’t worth living. But life has a funny way of pulling you back in and with a colorful and caring cast of characters, this grump discovers just how much there is to live for. 

• My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry: After the death of her sole caretaker and grandmother, Elsa is left with a series of letters addressed to residents of their apartment building. The adventure she goes on to deliver them opens up Elsa’s world and reveals a community she never thought she had. 

• Britt-Marie Was Here: A sequel to “My Grandmother…” this novel hones in on the strict, cleanliness- and rules-focused character Britt-Marie as she leaves her unfaithful husband and tries to rebuild her life in the decrepit town of Borg. There, she uncovers that the colorful inhabitants of the town are much more than meets he eye and that perhaps, sometimes, mess is ok. 

• Recent Book Discussion (26:02):

• And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: This tear-jerker focuses on loss, aging, and dementia as three generations of men confront the decline of the grandfather. 

• Anxious People: Following a failed robbery attempt at a cashless bank in a small Swedish town, this novel examines what happens when strangers become entwined in a hilarious hostage situation and compassion and vulnerability win the day. 

• Beartown Series (35:20):

• A three-book series (Beartown, Us Against You, The Winners), Backman explores a tiny community in a frozen north-Sweden forest that revolves around it’s hockey teams. His magnum opus, these stories follow the junior ice hockey team, it’s coaches, players, and parents, as they struggle to survive trauma, a declining economy, and other challenges. Trigger warning for sexual assault. 

• Hot On the Shelf (51:54):

• Devin: Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan

• Holly: Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

• What’s Making Our Hearts Race (55:30):

• Devin: David Sedaris Live Reading at CU Boulder

• Holly: Killers of the Flower Moon movie (you can check out the book here!)

Instagram: @heartsanddaggerspod

Website: www.heartsanddaggerspod.com

 

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