Britt-Marie Was Here: A Novel

Rating

Quick rating

I lOVED this endearing novel

I am a huge fan of this author ever since reading Beartown. It amazes me how young he is yet has his finger on the pulse of humanity so astutely. This was, for me, a thoroughly charming, engrossing novel about someone who clearly has 'issues'. She has left her former life (husband who cheated on her) to embark on being on her own. You will grow to 'understand' her. As the author occasionally tosses in information about where Britt-Marie has come from, you get a glimpse into her entire life leading up to now, you will question whether her experienced issues contributed to how she is now, or did they accelerate issues she already had embedded in her. You will form your own opinions about all the other characters. You have to remember this takes place in a tiny 'town' in Norway - things are not anything like any of us have experienced. This novel needs to be digested for exactly what it is: The journey of a very 'challenged' woman. It took my heart into another whole dimension. Bachman's incredible insight into others' 'idiosyncracies' is amazing. I think the main message for me, aside from loving the story, the interplay of the characters, the wanting to know where it all leads, is how the players 'accept' Britt-Marie's personality. I am a huge 'highlighter' of passages and though I have too many to put forth here, I shall share what I can to hopefully give you a true 'feel' of what this author portrays in his wondrous story: "Once he used to hold her hand when they slept, and she dreamed his dreams. Not that Britt-Marie didn't have any dreams of her own; it was just that his were bigger, and the one with the biggest dreams always wins in this world." "Kent said that Britt-Marie was socially incompetent, so she stayed home for another few years so he could be social on behalf of the both of them. It's not that she chose not to have any expectations, she just woke up one morning and realized they were past their sell-by date." "In the end, all she dreamed of was a b...