Have you ever picked a book that made you laugh, cry, and think differently about life, all at the same time? Or, have you ever fallen for those quirky, playful covers before buying a book with pretty illustrations? Well, all this might remind you of the works of Fredrik Backman. A Swedish author, blogger, and columnist, Backman has been gaining popularity amongst readers. His works are commonly enveloped in realistic fiction, satire, and humor.
His debut novel A Man Called Ove, published in 2012, rose to popularity and was later translated into multiple languages. It was also adapted into a 2015 Swedish film and later into an American comedy-drama film in 2022. All of this helped expand his recognition around the globe. His other renowned works include My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry and Beartown. Readers worldwide denote that the portrayal of characters in these works has allowed them to relate and feel the stories at a very basic and intrinsic level.
While Backman continues to memorize his readers with his works book after book, we are here to explore the reasons that make him even more loved. Do not forget to read the article till the end to know why readers just can’t get enough of Backman…
Endearing Characters
Whether it’s the grumpy yet lovable Ove in A Man Called Ove or the misunderstood, quirky cast in Anxious People, Backman does not stop portraying his characters in the most realistic sense. The authenticity in his character portrayal makes readers feel like they are reading about someone probably living next door. It could be their family members, their friends, their neighbors, or themselves. Adorned with emotional depth and unraveling of their past, the characters continue to feel more personal and engaging.
Evokes Catharsis
Catharsis, or purging of thoughts through expression, is just another element of Backman’s novels. Each of his characters is shown going through an emotional journey. This journey frequently includes reflection on the past, learning about self, and growing through what life teaches. Readers feel invested in these characters and experience a lasting impact as they finish reading. All of this leads up to cathartic release as the characters are seen overcoming their struggles and finding the good towards the end. You rarely close the book without feeling optimistic and happy- because everything gets fine at the end.
Morally-defined And Simple Storytelling
Gratitude, kindness, empathy, and the importance of people in life are some of the moral lessons you learn from Backman’s books. No, they aren’t showcased conventionally and repetitively but have humor intact at every flip of the page. His storytelling has often been considered simple and yet profound. You can feel how ordinary moments in seemingly everyday households deliver some of the most important messages about life. Although considered a light read, Backman’s books often deal with complex human experiences and turn out to be memorable reads. However, it is worth mentioning that critics have often found fault with the pacing of Backman’s stories. For instance, Beartown is considered to have a rich character development, but on the other hand, the narrative could get pretty slow and taxing with the progression of the story’s plot.
Universal Themes
The kind of themes Backman’s books deal with could be far from ordinary and yet very universally relatable. You can find aspects like love, loss, belonging, and the complexities of community, standing common in each of his works. There is grief and connection, giving up and holding up, tears and laughter, irritation and gratification. All these flavors just take turns to appear and make his work a total package offering various emotions every time.
While Backman’s works are widely regarded for dealing with themes like that, they are often criticized for their over-sentimentality, predictability, and repetitiveness. For instance, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry could get melodramatic, and certain tropes could sound repetitive in A Man Called Ove.
Connects Across Generations, Across Cultures
The universality in Backman’s themes, especially centering around human experiences and life lessons, allows tapping through various cultures, regardless of geographical differences. Readers of all ages resonate with characters from Ove to Britt-Marie. For instance, the book A Man Called Ove promises its readers to create a soft corner for curmudgeons and that is exactly what it makes you feel once you’re done reading. This also has helped many readers with their perspective towards the old people around them, allowing for a greater scope of empathy. Reading such books could make one realize how every human has a past and a back story that they hardly share with anyone.
Life And Its Complexities Captured Vividly
Backman’s books have been able to capture life and its complexities quite vividly. The storytelling and plots in almost all his books knit together the highs and lows of life. While most of them kickstart with a humorous tone, they do not usually go on with the same aesthetic. For instance, critics and reviewers have often commended Backman for mixing both amusement and heartbreak in one single piece called Anxious People.
Also, there are hardships that are talked about, loss in life and the art of dealing with the same, not giving up on life, and ultimately, coming out stronger. Readers have appreciated how these struggles are not portrayed just like a slight brush. Instead, these emotions, existing within the hearts and minds of characters are penetrated through. There are not some answers that come your way easily. One has to grapple with the messy realities of life so that the victory feels just as impactful towards the end.
Need For Human Connections
Last but not least, Fredrik Backman emphasizes one important aspect of life throughout his works- the need to be around people. He diligently portrays the human need to belong to a community. He posits how an individual continues to be the ultimate ‘social animal’ with a recurring will of being surrounded by people. Additionally, he portrays how one performs one’s role as a part of the society. It is often amusing to see how people with different personalities, often not getting along well, come together to create and be a community. This is realistically reflective of how it also goes in the tangible world. Even the small everyday problems are showcased in a manner that forms an important part of the story and helps in developing both the plot and characters.
At length, Fredrik Backman is continuing his successful career and his readers have expanded throughout the globe. His upcoming novel My Friends is one of the most anticipated releases for the year 2025. Now that he has posited his place in the field of literature, it is to be seen how he mesmerizes his readers with relatable characters, universal themes of connection, and heartwarming narratives, going forward.
Jennis Jacob, a passionate literary enthusiast in her 20s, is a writer and poet. With eight years of experience in literature, she is currently a master in English and finds inspiration in Womanist, American, and Indian Partition Literatures. Her works have appeared in anthologies such as ‘Carved Words Of Creative Minds’ and ‘100 Splendid Voices,’ and she is working on upcoming books. Through LitWithASip, she aims to ignite a love for literature and empower individuals to embrace their true selves.
