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  • Britt-Marie Was Here

  • By: Fredrik Backman
  • Narrated by: Joan Walker
  • Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (865 ratings)

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Britt-Marie Was Here

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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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

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Enchanting

A wonderful tale . This is the story of Britt Marie and a place called Borg, an uplifting tale with excellent narration. If you enjoy quirky stories with interesting characters and genuine emotion then you'll enjoy this. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

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9 people found this helpful

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Beautiful and uplifting

Love all of Fredrick Backmans books. This is another gem. Poignant and full of hope. Can't wait for his next one.

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8 people found this helpful

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A woman who you really want to hate but can't

Joan Walker brings Britt Marie's annoyingly loveable character to life. Hilarious & touching story. Highly recommended....

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6 people found this helpful

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A book you won’t want to miss. Very touching!

Ar first I thought it was a bit eccentric, but the more I got into the story, the more moving and touching it became. I definitely recommend it.

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5 people found this helpful

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I fell in love

this book will make you cry and break your heart at the same time. it is truly sensational.

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so sad to finish this and leave Britt Marie

I've not loved being in someone's head so much since I finished Eleanor Oliphant, Britt Marie is wonderful. This is a beautiful tale of love, loss, companionship (that comes in the most unlikely of places) and making a difference. loved it.

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4 people found this helpful

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Disappointing ending

Having loved a Man called Ove, and that narration by Joan Walker, I was keen to read another Fredrick Backman book and this although enjoyable had a very disappointing ending. The narration was however first class once again.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

absolutely fabulous little story

lovely story that makes you both laugh and cry. a must read for any one.

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Charming

A charming, very human and touching story told beautifully with excellent and empathic narration style.

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Love Fredrik Backman

This is simply beautiful. Funny and heartwarming. I would love to read more from this wonderful author. I also think that this would translate beautifully to screen in the right hands.

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  • noyb
  • 17-06-23

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
  • 09-02-21

A Thorough Pleasure

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

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  • Dayna
  • 22-08-20

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
  • 08-08-20

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
  • 07-10-19

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
  • 18-06-18

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
  • 11-08-17

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
  • 01-04-17

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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  • Laura R
  • 20-02-17

Such an enjoyable character

A heartwarming character read by a very believable narrator. I truly didnt want it to end.

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  • Roger
  • 27-05-16

An Enjoyable Read

After falling in love with Backman's A Man Called Ove, I decided to read all of his books that I could get my hands on. This one was enjoyable. It was a bit slow going at first, and the character voice changes were a bit on the ear piercing side ;) but around halfway through, I found myself yearning to listen and yearning to find out what happens as the story unfolds. I won't spoil the ending, but even though I enjoyed it, I was a bit disappointed. Overall, I recommend anyone who enjoyed Ove also give this a listen as well.

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