Surrounded by impenetrable forests, it recreates the stifling atmosphere of a dying community. This is a mature, compassionate novel. (Sunday Times)
A kind of problem play that moves extremely skilfully near the melodramatic without derailing. Its originality is substantial and the book credibly conveys the dual faces of everyday life. An impressive novel, like no other (BTJ, Sweden)
A story about families, about friendship and loyalty, inequality, female vulnerability, male back-slapping, and parenthood ... No person's story is too little to be told, Backman includes them all. A novel with a big heart (Jönköpings-Posten, Sweden)
'As popular Swedish exports go, Backman is up there with ABBA and Stieg Larsson.' The New York Times
Friday Night Lights for Swedes (O Magazine)