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  • Britt-Marie Was Here

  • Written by: Fredrik Backman
  • Narrated by: Joan Walker
  • Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (219 ratings)

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Britt-Marie Was Here

Written by: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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Publisher's Summary

For as long as anyone can remember, Britt-Marie has been an acquired taste. It's not that she's judgmental or fussy or difficult - she just expects things to be done in a certain way. A cutlery drawer should be arranged in the right order, for example - forks, knives, then spoons. We're not animals, are we?

But behind the passive-aggressive, socially awkward, absurdly pedantic busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams and a warmer heart than anyone around her realises. So when Britt-Marie finds herself unemployed, separated from her husband of 20 years, left to fend for herself in the miserable provincial backwater that is Borg - of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it - and somehow tasked with running the local football team, she is a little unprepared.

But she will learn that life may have more to offer her than she's ever realised, and love might be found in the most unexpected of places.

The number-one European best seller by the author of A Man Called Ove, Britt-Marie Was Here is a funny, poignant and uplifting tale of love, community and second chances.

©2016 Fredrik Backman (P)2016 Hodder & Stoughton

What listeners say about Britt-Marie Was Here

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Ava
  • 2019-04-08

slow start but really good overall!

it's a bit of a slow start but if you get through the beginning it gets really good. I loved the ending.

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2 people found this helpful

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Brilliant!!

This story was an unexpected joy to read. The reader expressed the full humour of the text. Not to be missed.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Good story but not my favourite

I really love Fredrik Backman’s stories. They’re so unique and hit straight to the heart. He has this funny way of agitating the heck out of you and them making you fall in love by the end.
Britt-Marie was more agitating then lovable and it honestly took a great deal of patience to finish the book. Honestly I almost didn’t.
That being said it’s a cute story and refreshing.
I do recommend it but only half heartedly.

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1 person found this helpful

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Great

Great story about great people, just like all Backman’s books. Full of emotions and compassion.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Pretty Weak for Backman

Just not that good. No great characters and not that interesting. Pretty weak book for Backman and I’d skip it

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Strong character

Loved the main character and all her quirks. Mostly I loved the comparisons or everything. They cracked me up. It had some duller moments or slowness to it.

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A slow burn to start

A slow burn to start but major payoff about life and sacrifices made for the sake of others but at the cost of your own happiness.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Another fabulous character that speaks to those with Scandinavian elders!

People finally get a glimpse at the elders we Danes/Swedes/Norwegians grew up with! So to heck with some comments or the Americanization by changing our treasured names or not seeing the subtle differences!
The deep morals/anxiety ridden lives that equate tidiness and neatness and lists and being true to your word - that every Scandinavian has witnessed and teased and laughed at our elders with, while still automatically not putting fingers on walls and having coasters and tablecloths!
Love the feel of football (soccer only in North America?), love languages spoken differently and growth not by being banged over the head but truly getting to know others.
Fantastic story - where is she now?!? LOL

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Quirky with a side of wholesome

Great book! i was alittle worried at the beggining 30m since it was alittle slower but quickly fell inlove with Britt-marie and her charm. Amazing book. If your looking for a quirky, romantic, comedy vibe. this is the one for you!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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This book worth to listen more than one time!

Love the message of the book and it's even more pleasant when you listen to Joan!

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  • Lynn Perkins
  • 2023-11-28

Delightful

Heartwarming and humorous. An utterly delightful quick read which is difficult to put down. I could happily reread this book.

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  • Ai Jou
  • 2023-11-18

Really enjoyed this audiobook narration

The book is a lovely story about a woman who has lived all her life for other people. She is socially awkward, never worked and has an obsession for cleaning. As the story unfolds, she finds herself holding a job for the first time, and being a busybody in the small town of Borg, a community by the side of the road that is in danger of “extinction” when all the businesses close down. Slowly, through her awkwardly good heart, Britt-Marie starts caring for the residents and the young people who live there, ushering in hope and possibility where previously there was none. The narrator was so skilful at all the voices and narration that I felt that I was right there in Borg with Britt-Marie! This audiobook was truly a wonderful production!

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  • noyb
  • 2023-06-17

Absolutely delightful and deeply touching

This is a truly beautiful book. Beautifully written, beautifully read. I could mot stop listening. Strongly recommend

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  • Michelle Procter
  • 2021-02-09

A Thorough Pleasure

Fantastic character development, as you would expect from this author. Wonderful narration. I binged it.

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  • Dayna
  • 2020-08-22

Beautiful, funny & completely engaging

Loved the characters and character development.

At first blush, reading the summary, I thought this sounded so very like the authors other books so much so, I wondered why would I purchase this one too. Even so, given I love his work & I could return it if I was really unhappy, I decided to give it a try. I’m very glad I did!

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  • Gail Bortz
  • 2020-08-08

Britt Marie was here with me too!

An unforgettable read. I will never look at bicarbonate of soda the same again! wonderful.

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  • sjvb
  • 2019-10-07

delightful. amusing quirky. i Loved every minute

Britt-marie , recently separated, needs a job. and so she takes a position in Borg.
this gentle amusing story about a woman who had lived in the shadows all her life, unfolds gently and yet without hesitation. Borg is packed full of amusing interesting characters.
the language is terrific. the people are wonderful. there nothing to dislike here. the narrator was perfect. A fave I will probably listen to again

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  • MegC
  • 2018-06-18

Wonderful

I loved this book. Beautifully drawn characters, and a storyline that was funny, sad, engrossing, uplifting. An excellent narrator too.

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  • kristen
  • 2017-08-11

A Woman Called Ove

Who was your favorite character and why?

Everyone in this story was great, and really easy to picture and associate with.

What about Joan Walker’s performance did you like?

It was incredible.

Any additional comments?

This book is almost the exact same principle as A Man Called Ove, but staring a woman. If you enjoyed that story and wish you could read it again (as I did), I highly recommend this one!

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  • NH
  • 2017-04-01

She's no nag bag!

What made the experience of listening to Britt-Marie Was Here the most enjoyable?

The narration by Joan Walker is superb. She brings the characters to life as if they're jumping out of the audio and acting out live in one's mind.

What did you like best about this story?

The colourful characters and the unexpected story line. And how it keeps one guessing until the very end.

Have you listened to any of Joan Walker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes! She does not disappoint. But a lot more restrained in this one, compared to the other books by Fredrik Backman she's performed.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not really, because I wanted to savour every minute and I needed it to last throughout my week-long commute.

Any additional comments?

I love the works of Fredrik Backman and the outstanding performance by the narrator Joan Walker. These two are the ultimate dynamic duo!

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