My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman Summary
Overview of My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
When seven-year-old Elsa's fairy-tale-spinning grandmother dies, she leaves behind mysterious letters of apology. Nominated for the Dublin Literary Award, this whimsical yet profound story of grief and acceptance has captivated readers in 40+ countries. Business Insider warns: "Bring tissues, but bring your funnybone too."
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Key takeaways
When Fairy Tales Bridge Reality's Gaps
Every seven-year-old deserves a superhero, and Elsa has the most extraordinary one of all-her seventy-seven-year-old grandmother. In a world where Elsa feels perpetually out of place-too smart, too verbal, too "different" for the other kids at school-Granny creates a sanctuary of understanding through elaborate adventures and magical stories. Their bond transcends the typical grandmother-granddaughter relationship; they share a secret language, private jokes, and access to the Land-of-Almost-Awake, a magical realm where being different isn't just accepted but celebrated. When bullies throw Elsa's beloved Gryffindor scarf in a toilet, Granny orchestrates a midnight zoo break-in complete with monkey masks and ice cream-because that's what superheroes do. They transform painful moments into adventures worth remembering. But behind Granny's eccentric behavior lies a remarkable history: she was once a respected doctor who saved lives in war zones around the world until "Society" deemed her too old or too unconventional. Now her superpowers focus on two specialties: saving lives and driving people absolutely nuts-often simultaneously.
The Secret Treasure Hunt Begins
The Magical Land-of-Almost-Awake
A Building Full of Fairy Tale Characters
The Wurse: A Fairy Tale Guardian in Reality
Finding Courage Through Difference
The Legacy of Stories
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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