

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove , Anxious People , and My Friends , a profoundly moving novella about an elderly man’s struggle to hold on to his happy memories, face his regrets, and help his son and grandson learn to say goodbye to him. “We know so little about how the brain works. It’s like a fading star right now, do you remember what I taught you about that?” “When a star fades, it takes a long time for us to realize, as long as it takes for the last of its light to reach earth.” Grandpa and Noah are sitting on a bench in a round square that keeps getting smaller every day. Noah isn’t sure how they got there or how to get home. The square is strange but also familiar, full of the stuff that has made up their lives—Grandpa’s work desk, the stuffed dragon that Grandpa once gave to Noah, the sweet-smelling hyacinths that Grandma loved to grow in her garden. As they wait together on the bench, they tell jokes and discuss their shared love of mathematics. Grandpa recalls what it was like to fall in love with his wife, what it was like to lose her. She’s as real to him now as the first day he met her, but he dreads the day when he won’t remember her at all, much less the extraordinarily ordinary life they lived. (Or was it ordinarily extraordinary?) Sometimes Grandpa finds himself sitting on the bench next to Ted, Noah’s father. Ted, who never liked math, prefers writing and playing guitar, and has waited his entire life for his father to have time for him, to accept him. But in their love of Noah, they have found a common bond. Grandpa, Grandma, Ted, and Noah all meet here, in this peculiar space that is growing dim and getting more confusing all the time. And here is where they will learn to say goodbye, the scent of hyacinths in the air, nothing to fear.
| Best Sellers Rank | #12,812 in Literary Theory, History & Criticism |
| Dimensions | 12.7 x 1.27 x 14.61 cm |
| Edition | Unabridged |
| Importer | Bookswagon, 2/13 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002, [email protected], 01140159253 |
| Isbn 10 | 1508230714 |
| Isbn 13 | 978-1508230717 |
| Item Weight | 90.7 g |
| Language | English |
| Packer | Bookswagon, 2/13 Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110002, [email protected], 01140159253 |
| Publication Date | 1 November 2016 |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster Audio |
User
Heartwarming and utterly beautiful
This book is so beautiful and in the simplest way. If you want your heart to melt in a puddle, this book is for you. It makes me cry everytime with just how beautiful it is. It's a story of a man and it takes place in his mind. He's slowly losing his memory. His grandson, Noah is sitting with him in his mind and it's a conversation between those two and instances of their lives. This description doesn't do justice to the book so please please just read this short gem of a book.
User
Escape impossible
Totally surprised by this one from Fredrik, it is like an abstract painting, true and beautiful with scares in every corner. Absolutely different from his other creations. Will keep you thinking.
User
The book made me wish I had a grandfather with whom my life would've had interesting stories. Also
Felt happier to know that I have a person who loves me just like the grandpa loves grandma. A book that brought so much smile to my face.
User
Beautiful one - must read
Feel good story..
User
Thanks for the book
I've lost my grandfather, before I was born , but reading this mesmerizing tale make me believe in the goodness of the world and the unhindered bond , that was present in between the bond of a grandfather towards his progeny🙂🙃🙂
User
Go for it!
The book was in excellent condition. The print is pristine. The pages are of amazing quality. No complaints.Don't know about the story- haven't read it yet.
User
Another touching short story
It’s amazing how story unfolds slowly and the end is mesmerizing..!! Again so many life emotions ingrained in a matter of few pages..!,
User
This couldn’t be any more Fredrik Backman-isqu
I envy Fredrik Backman’s capabikity of choosing a title that draws your attention immediately. I was always fascinated by this title like any other novel he has penned down. If you are looking for a wholesome, cozy read, don’t wait!
User
Beautiful. Emotional. Tear jerker for me.
WOW! This has gone straight into my top 20 of the year and I am amazed because it's only 75 pages long, but it is a hard-hitting, emotional and for me a tear jerker of a read. Such beautifully written. Eye opening and a story that many readers themselves may have experienced or will do in the future.Perfection. I did tear up. A short read which won't take long to get through so perfect for those readers with busy lives or in a book slump. Has some beautiful illustrations throughout to accompany the story. Its a must read from me. Highly recommend. A well deserved five stars. Pop it onto your pile you won't regret it.
User
泣ける!
9月はわっしょい!バックマン祭り!と言うのも新しい作品"Anxious People"が先日リリースされたばかりで本が到着するまでに他も読んでみようと色々選んだ中の1冊。こちらは短編です。カバーから見て取れるように「グランパと孫のノア君」をメインにお話しが進みます。ノア君のパパも出てきますが表紙のまま想像して良いと思います。お船にも意味があります。本の中にも可愛い挿し絵が2人に寄り添うように描かれています。アルツハイマーのグランパ。頭の中に「スクエア」と言う場所があり、そこにはノア君にあげたオモチャがあったり、先に逝ってしまった愛しいグランマとも会話が出来ます。それにグランマが好きだったヒヤシンスの香りもいっぱいします。ただ このスクエア(脳)がだんだんと小さくなり…本のタイトル通りお家(現実)に戻るまで/思い出すまでの距離がだんだんと長くなっていきます。昔は仕事一筋で息子に自転車の乗り方さえ教えなかったグランパ。変わり果てた父親の姿を見て息子(ノアパパ)は胸を痛めます。内容はとてもシリアスで悲しいお話なのですが、そこはバックマン。ユーモアが加わり思わず笑ってしまう場面も。ノア君はいつでもグランパを優しく包み温かい言葉をかけます。うーっ!泣いてまうーっ!たった80ページほどでこれだけを表現するって…がーさす!悲しいけど心あたたまる1冊です。
User
Great book
One of the best recent author ...this book is great, well written, makes me cry every time I read it. Fast delivery too
User
Everyone should read this book!!!! It's brilliant
Fabulous writing.... Exciting and emotional book with plenty of humour
User
Je suis fan!!!
Backman is one of my favorite storytellers. Characters who are at the same time difficult and lovable. This book reminds me of my father in law z’l. So touching. A great read!
Trustpilot
3 days ago
5 days ago