Britt-Marie believes in normal life, a life with rules and regulations. For instance, cutlery drawers must be arranged just so:  forks, knives, spoons. One needs coasters for cups and glasses. Dinner is at six.  Lists are very, very important. Britt-Marie is very good at making lists. Britt-Marie is also very good at cleaning, but Britt-Marie is not very good with people. They just don’t understand that her advice on living a normal life is helpful, not critical. Then Britt-Marie’s normal life is upset and her need of employment drops her in a tiny, economically depressed town, surrounded by noisy, dirty children and adults who don’t lead normal lives.

This is a bittersweet story about a woman so irritating and so lovable, set in a tiny Swedish town filled with quirky characters who are also so irritating and so lovable. Fredrik Backman writes absolutely wonderful books. It is suitable for teens and I highly recommend it.

eGalley review                                       Publication date 5.3.16