Description

A heartbreaking and hilarious novel from the internationally bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People
Everyone remembers the smell of their grandmother’s house.

Everyone remembers the stories their grandmother told them.

But does everyone remember their grandmother flirting with policemen? Driving illegally?

Breaking into a zoo in the middle of the night? Firing a paintball gun from a balcony in her dressing gown?

Seven-year-old Elsa does.

Some might call Elsa’s granny ‘eccentric’, or even ‘crazy’. Elsa calls her a superhero. And granny’s stories, of knights and princesses and dragons and castles, are her superpower. Because, as Elsa is starting to learn, heroes and villains don’t always exist in imaginary kingdoms; they could live just down the hallway.

As Christmas draws near, even the best superhero grandmothers may have one or two things they’d like to apologise for. And, in the process, Elsa can have some breath-taking adventures of her own . . .

See what readers are saying
‘Such a magical book . . . his books are full of true gems; slivers of brilliance’
Amazon reviewer,

‘Another wonderful read from Backman. He touches on some many topics with such kind nature, from the pressure to fit in, to parenthood and bereavement. Beautiful’
Amazon reviewer,

‘I stayed up late last night to finish it and went to bed with a huge smile on my face and feeling happy, totally unexpected emotions . . . Head and shoulders above the other books I’ve read this year’
Amazon reviewer,

‘A perfect book . . . I loved every page, every chapter, every character’
Amazon reviewer,

‘This book made me laugh out loud and also brought me to tears more than once’
Amazon reviewer,

Publisher Review

A highly compelling read and it was easy to lose myself in the story * Off the Shelf Blog * Told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as [OVE] . . . It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different. * Laura's Little Book Blog * A highly compelling read and it was easy to lose myself in the story * Off the Shelf blog * Told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as [OVE] . . . It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different. * Laura's Little Book Blog * The author's lightness of touch is definitely a contributor towards the novel's success. (It's already a best seller in his native country.) Fredrik conveys much in a few words . . . However a special warning to the ladies summed up in three words: wear waterproof mascara! I read the last few chapters verging between heart-glowing smiles and heart-wrenching sobs. I'll be ready for it the next few times I read it though and, indeed, the times after that. * The Bookbag * There are clear themes here, nominally: the importance of stories; the honesty of children; and the obtuseness of most adults, putting him firmly in league with the likes of Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman. A touching, sometimes funny, often wise portrait of grief. * Kirkus * A highly compelling read and it was easy to lose myself in the story * Off the Shelf blog * Told with the same comic accuracy and beating heart as [OVE] . . . It is a story about life and death and one of the most important human rights: the right to be different. * Laura's Little Book Blog * The author's lightness of touch is definitely a contributor towards the novel's success. (It's already a best seller in his native country.) Fredrik conveys much in a few words . . . However a special warning to the ladies summed up in three words: wear waterproof mascara! I read the last few chapters verging between heart-glowing smiles and heart-wrenching sobs. I'll be ready for it the next few times I read it though and, indeed, the times after that. * The Bookbag * There are clear themes here, nominally: the importance of stories; the honesty of children; and the obtuseness of most adults, putting him firmly in league with the likes of Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman. A touching, sometimes funny, often wise portrait of grief. * Kirkus *