And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer

I approached this 74-page "little" book with disappointment because I'd imagined a bigger, longer read. For the first 16 pages I was somewhat confused because of my own expectations. At page 17 the light bulb came on and I was not only following this story, I was drawn in and unable to stop, even when the lump in my throat was painful and tears rolled down my cheeks. This "little" book has some of biggest heart I've ever read.

I really enjoy this author, I've read all of his books including his last Beartown released 5/2017. Anyway this is misleading and not a book, it a tiny thing about 75 pages including pictures/sketches. It just a short story between a sick grandfather, son & grandson. It's nothing special, I was disappointed in the price & deceived by the size.

The first Fredrik Backman book I read was A Man Called Ove. I loved that (and My Grandmother... also). This one I liked, but I think this one will
need a re-reading for me to properly appreciate it. The writing is beautiful, but I did have a bit of a time getting to the characters (the heart) of
the story.

I have read all four of Fredrik Backman's books and they all resonate. This book is especially bittersweet and as I wrote to my wife on the inside of the book cover, I only wish I had the ability to write it. The book is an absolute cannot miss. You owe it to yourself to read it and never forget the sentiment.

I enjoyed his look at Alzheimer's. But somehow I wanted more,. It left me with more questions, more thoughts on what it is like for a person to live with the disease. Do they actually k ow it is happening to a point or is it just the way life is for them

Growing old and growing up. Remembering and forgetting to remember where we have been and who we have loved. This very short but powerfully written tale addresses these issues. It's a life many have lived and it truly touched my heart.

This took about 20 minutes to read and was really kind of confusing. I get why his author's note said he never intended to publish this, that is was more to clarify his own thoughts. Some sweet moments described between the grandfather and Noah, but overall it didn't make sense.

I love this writer. Seriously. I quickly bought everything he's written after reading "My Grandma..." Short story, but very thought provoking and I don't think it needed to be long to make it's point as powerfully as it did. For those going through, going to go through or have already gone through elder issues related to memory its a nice thought provoking read that won't make you snot cry. I intend to share it. All lot.

Maybe I was just not in the right mood when I started this book. I've loved all the other Backman books I've read, but this one is something of a departure for him and was just hard for me to get into.

This poignant, powerful and evocative novella covers so many subjects that it is an incredible read. The fear of aging, marriage and love, death, losing one's memory with a 'slow farewell' are all covered masterfully. Profound comes to mind but is not accurate enough to describe it correctly.

The grandfather and his grandson, Noahnoah share the great love of mathematics. The text covers that love with examples that are so appropriate to those that love numbers. The part that describes which portion of the memory goes first were so well-written.

Personally, I was able to read only a few pages at a time as it was such a painful and evocative read. My mom had a form of dementia and even now, 13 years after her death, I can see her in so many of these examples. The crying, the memories of many years ago but not of today, her husband, and their truly happy years. The reader will see how this journey of the mind proceeds. It is indeed a slow one but is also filled with many steps taken one day at a time. The combination of the days in totality equals a life.

Just an inspiring book which is well-written including the many analogies which will also fill your heart.

Most highly recommended.

I have read all of Fredrik Backman's books. I ordered this for my Kindle at $5.95, and in my opinion, it is too high a price to pay for this little book. At 72% read, it ended and the rest of the book (28%) were ads and excerpts from his other books so I felt a bit cheated. Also, I did not think the novella was that great compared to his other books. I don't have anyone in my family with dementia but even if I did, I don't think it would be worth the money.

I had trouble reading this book. No, I loved it. It's just that I had tears in my eyes on every page. Being a grandfather myself, having had a father with dementia, and being married to my 16 year old sweetheart for just short of 50 years now, this story hit home with me on every level.

Even if you can't identify with every emotion, you can't leave untouched from this beautiful, short and sweet story.

Fredrik Backman: You brought me to my knees. This novella had me sobbing, smiling, laughing and in bewildered awe of the beautiful words that you are able to write so melodically on a page. You capture emotion between characters so exquisitely.

In this incredible novella, Grandpa and Noahnoah (his grandson) have a very special relationship. They understand each other perfectly. It is this perfect relationship, that makes Grandpa's plight harder and harder each day. Harder because Grandpa doesn't know how to explain it at first, and then has trouble remembering it in the first place. Noahnoah loves his Grandpa more than anything. And he will do whatever it takes to help his Grandpa remember everything he can about his life, including reminding him about the love of his life, and what its like to fall in love (which took my breath away and left me an emotional wreck).

To say that this story is special is an understatement. Fredrik Backman, is in my opinion, the most gifted author I have come across in years. I have loved all of his books desperately and hold each one very close to my heart. Each character is a delight in and of itself.

In this novella, "And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer" I found Grandpa and Noahnoah to be truly unique. Noahnoah is so very bright, gifted and special. Grandpa's love and affection for his wife makes me wish and hope that someday, I will lucky enough to find something that even closely resembles that.

To think that Fredrik Backman wrote this to help cope with a real life situation. First, I am so sorry; and second, thank you for sharing this amazing story. It touched me in ways I can't even begin to describe.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Fredrik Backman for an ARC of this incredibly beautiful novella in exchange for an honest review. It was my honor and privilege to read and review it.

Published on NetGalley, the store and Goodreads on 11/4/16.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman is a beautiful, very highly recommended, admirable novella. This is one of the best short stories I have read this year. I loved this little book. Loved it and sobbed while reading it, but they were good tears. It is amazing how Backman managed to capture so much emotion so perfectly. It's a story about love and tenderness and letting go and remembering and legacies and family and....

Bachman introduces the story with a note to the readers, which is the best description of his story:
"This is a story about memories and about letting go. It's a love letter and a slow farewell between a man and his grandson, and between a dad and his boy.
"I never meant for you to read it, to be quite honest. I wrote it just because I was trying to sort out my own thoughts, and I'm the kind of person who needs to see what I'm thinking on paper to make sense of it. But it turned into a small tale of how I'm dealing slowly with losing the greatest minds I know, about missing someone who is still here, and how I wanted to explain it to my children. I'm letting it go for now, for what it's worth.
"It's about fear and love, and how they seem to go hand in hand most of the time. Most of all, it's about time. While we still have it."

This is novella is simply perfect, everything piece: the writing, the descriptions, the plot, the characters. In And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, Fredrik Backman has given us a gift that deserves to be held dear and cherished.

Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.

AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER by Fredrik Backman is a beautiful novella. Starting with the author's note at the beginning, you discover this is something Backman wrote to come to terms with what was happening in his own life as important figures were growing older. That, combined with the subject matter, made this read very personal to me. In the story, Grandpa is trying to find a way to tell his young grandson, Noah, that he can't find his way home anymore and he wants to make sure he knows how much he loves him before he forgets who they both are.

I adore Backman's writing style and word choice. I really feel he captures the nuances of a child's mind better than any other author. Noah is no exception. He brings fresh perspective to the reader and I related to that as a parent of a child wise beyond their years. I loved so many of the ideas captured in this book, like how the Grandpa calls his grandson "Noahnoah" because he likes his name twice as much. You are left asking yourself two questions. First, when your mind can only hold so many thoughts, which ones do you choose? And second, what if you couldn't remember exactly why they were important to you? To capture so much feeling in such a short story about such a long journey just shows Backman's storytelling skills at their best.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book fell flat for me. Maybe I was expecting too much because of all of the reviews I read raving about it.

It's rare that I complain about the price of a book but this may be the most overpriced book I've ever purchased. I finished it in 70 minutes and didn't get anything out of it. It wasn't a great story. It wasn't particularly well written. For me, it was just a bunch of words on paper that I walked away mostly indifferent to.

I began this book as I begin all other books. Big mistake. This book is unlike any other book I have read. It IS short...but it's the length it needed to be. No more, no less. I was drawn into the life of Grandpa, Ted, and Noahnoah, along with the love of Grandpa's life. I think perhaps we all fear, at least a little, the idea that one day the road home WILL get longer every day. I'm hoping that each of us has someone like Noah (or that we can be someone else's Noah) if we have to walk that road. This truly is a beautiful story; one that I am so happy that Mr. Bachman decided to share with us. Don't miss it.

A man and his grandson sit on a bench in a town square. Nearly every day, the old man leads Noah somewhere, and they exchange jokes and enjoy an easy companionship. A love of family and mathematics unites them. Now, Grandpa takes the opportunity to share stories with Noah, often about Grandma, departed from this world long ago. He knows his own world is growing smaller and dimmer by the day. His mind is closing in, and he won’t be here much longer. He will need Noah to help him remember Grandma once that happens, for he can’t bear the thought of losing what little he has left of her.

Hyacinths, that’s one thing. Grandma loved hyacinths. The purple flowers grow around the bench, and their aroma transports him to her side. Memories do that, sparked by words or smells, and yet again he caresses her cheek or hears her voice in his ear. Then he’s back in the square, and it has become smaller once more. His fear swells, but he must help Noah learn to say good-bye, for that is one purpose of these little trips.

A more important purpose is to get to know his grandson as best he can. His deep involvement in Noah’s life makes him naturally interested in things like how school is going. The boy complains they spend too much time on essays and too little on numbers. Grandpa understands. It was that way for him once. As the days pass, Noah keeps growing and Grandpa’s mind keeps shrinking. They both realize it, but the child has a way of acknowledging the truth of the situation that almost settles a sad peace over them. So, while Noah looks forward, Grandpa looks back.

There are regrets, sure. Grandpa thinks about his relationship with his son, Ted. He should have made a greater effort. It’s true, Ted didn’t love mathematics, didn’t understand them --- didn’t really even try. Oddly enough, that drove a wedge between father and son. It is, after all, the little things that make a difference and that set us apart. So Grandpa strives to help Noah understand, to be there to see him laugh and to spend the time with him he should have spent with his son. He realizes that time is short now. Yes, there are regrets. But there are also many paths to forgiveness.

This is a tiny book made large with wisdom. Its pages are packed full of joy and love and bittersweet heartache. The honest beauty and stark reality of Fredrik Backman’s words will have you laughing, crying, breathing deep and sighing. AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER is a book to read over and over again. I read it twice in the space of two days, and I’ll tell you that the second time was nothing like the first. New dimensions appeared, new depths were uncovered, and Grandpa and Noah wrenched myriad fresh emotions straight out of me. I suspect this is how it will be each read-through. My highest recommendation for this one.

Reviewed by Kate Ayers

*Originally reviewed on Goodreads & My Blog*

EXCERPT ↓

There's a hospital room at the end of a life where someone, right in the middle of the floor, has pitched a green tent. A person wakes up inside it, breathless and afraid, not knowing where he is. A young man sitting next to him whispers:

"Don't be scared."

END EXCERPT ↑

This is such a sad little story but with BIG heart. And the sad thing is that these things are true. So many people have went through this with family members. My grandma is forgetting things. Life isn't fair.

The little boy Noah is a wonderful child and adult if I read it correctly. He was there for his grandma when she went and he was always there for his grandpa. No matter what was went through with my grandparents or the last grandparent I have left, I feel so lucky to be one of the people to have known and grown up with my grandparents. Being southern we call them, mamaw and papaw. They were my life and they were wonderful and one still is.

I love Noah so much, his character is just so special.

EXCERPT ↓

"The amount I love you, Noah," she would tell him with her lips to his ear after she read fairy tales about elves and he was just about to fall asleep, "the sky will never be that big." She wasn't perfect, but she was his. The boy sang to her the night before she died. Her body stopped working before her brain did. For Grandpa it's the opposite.

END EXCERPT ↑

*sob* I just ....

This is a short novella but it has such an impact. It tells of Noah and his grandpa sitting on that bench with grandma's favorite purple hyacinth's blooming underneath. It tells of grandpa confusing his son Ted with his grandson Noah. It tells of grandpa's memories with grandma. It tells with such emotion and heart that I felt every word said, every scared emotion, every tear I dropped.

Thank you for such a wonderful book about things that are very real. ♥

It doesn't take long to read Backman's short novella about a loving Grandpa passing away after Grandma has already gone to Heaven. Most of the tale is a dialogue between the old man, who apparently has dementia and is slowly losing his grip on his mind, and his adoring grandson Noah, who takes after the man's love of mathematics and the universe. Perversely, Noah's dad prefers words and music to numbers; an interesting facet of life that ironically skips to the next generation.

As with "Man Called Ove", the writing is easy to read - for sure Backman can turn some good phrases:

"Your grandma always had a terrible sense of direction – she could get lost on an escalator."

"That’s why we get to spoil our grandchildren, because by doing that we’re apologizing to our children."

"The only time you’ve failed is if you don’t try once more."

The story is somewhat sad and definitely poignant; but does fairly pleasantly pass a little time despite the obvious subject matter...

Marketed as a novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is closer to a short story. Nearing the end of his life, a man suffering from dementia fades in and out of reality. He has a town square in his mind, one that shrinks a bit every night, where he sits on a bench with his grandson Noah, talking about their shared love of mathematics and the vast universe. He walks a path with his deceased wife, who shares her thoughts of love. He hears but does not understand the words of the son for whom he never had time.

Finding “home” is the story’s theme. The man taught Noah how to use a map and a compass and the clues of his environment to find a way home. The man tells Noah that mathematics will always lead him home. When he walks on a path with his deceased wife, she tells the man that the path leads to home. The man tells Noah that he journeys home from space and every day the journey (to reality) takes more time.

The story is sweet and sad but a bit too obviously manipulative. All literature manipulates a reader’s emotions, but the best literature does so without pulling at the reader’s heartstrings quite so blatantly. None of that changes the sweet sadness of the story. It might not be subtle, but it’s effective.

I liked it. More of a short story, or novella, than a fully realized book, but it delivers much more of an emotional punch than most anything else. An old man in the waning days of his life is dealing with what one could easily assume is Alzheimer's disease, although it is not specifically stated. He is trapped in his own mind with his son, his grandson and the image of his deceased wife. It switches back and forth from that perspective to the real world, where his son and grandson are dealing with his declining health. A touching portrait of a old man not wanting to let go, but wanting his children and grandchildren to do so because, "it's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here."

Every book I've read for Fredrik Backman - and I've read ALL - has made me emotional in some way. I love the way he writes things, I love the way he thinks, I love the stories he chooses to tell and share with us, and I love the characters he creates and how he makes you fall in love with them. So much. SO MUCH. Like I LOVE his characters and I want to meet them and give them a hug and take a selfie with them and get their autographs. Why aren't they REAL?!

This book was so heartfelt. So emotional. So real.

I give it 4.5 stars not because it wasn't brilliant, but because it was a novella, and I felt it could have been fleshed out more. Perhaps mainly, because I didn't feel it was up there with A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie.

It's a quick read, but I assure you it will leave you shaken. This book deals with memory loss and with the difficulty of letting go. It deals with love and family bonds. It is a story of a grandfather and his grandson, of a father and his boy. It is a story that moves across generations, and one that every reader will relate to on some level.

It is beautiful and it is profound. Must read.

AudioBook Review:
Stars: Overall 5 Narration 5 Story 5

My first introduction to Fredrick Backman’s work, and it was a doozy. For a little read (just over an hour in audio and under 100 pages) the moments shine brightly, even through tears. And you will cry during this story, whether or not you have experienced the gradual letting go of a loved one or not: it’s hard not to envision yourself as Noah, or even as Ted: caught between the moments with too much to consider and ask.

In short, the story is a delightful goodbye as Noah, a young boy, sits and chats with his grandfather who is nearing the end of his life, as his cognitive functions are ebbing away. Hoping to provide Noah with some comfort, although not quite always remembering why, Grandpa shares his love of mathematics with the boy, and the realization that infinity can always find some guidepost in mathematical theory. A rather odd reference, that quickly becomes all encompassing, providing a pathway that allows curiosity and not fear to take over.

A gentle and quiet sort of goodbye that is shaded in shared moments and remembrances, gentle laughter, shared jokes, and the sweet scent of hyacinth in the air. Where Ted comes to find solace in his father’s company, realizing that perhaps their shared love for his son Noah is enough to hold on to.

Narration from David Morse was perfectly suited to this story: as the moments quietly move from one to another to grab your attention and reveal their beauty: over-reaching for, or even over-emoting to any one emotion would have been tragic. Morse avoids all of those pitfalls, presenting Noah, Grandpa and Ted clearly and insets and moments with Grandma (long gone) and the ever-shrinking park are presented to show the beauty and complexity of the story without distortion.

Bring tissues, lots of tissues, for the story has moments that grab and squeeze the tears from you, even as the story itself is actually affirming life, letting go and honoring the love you shared. Providing a small framework for moving forward and letting go, even as that person is right there, in front of you, not remembering. Take an hour or two from your day – find a quiet space and listen to this story. Just don’t expect to emerge untouched.

I received an Audiobook copy of the title from Simon Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

When I read Backman's A Man Called Ove, I fell in love with the author's smooth writing style and quotable lines. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a sweet little novel about a boy and his grandfather and a boy and his father as the grandfather/ father begins to suffer from dementia. I appreciated how this book is, mostly, from the perspective of the grandfather. So often, books are written with the family's pain and anguish at center-stage but we often fail to forget how isolating and frightening this diagnosis can be for the patient. While we lose one family member, they lose everyone while their body is still here on Earth. This book also contained some words of wisdom for all of us, such as how grandparents spoil their grandchildren to apologize to their children for not being able to spend as much time with them (and also a word of warning for workaholics). I want to emphasize that this book was not the tearjerker that so many books on dementia are. While the subject matter is sad, it had a hopeful and bright feel to it. I really loved this little book and I think anyone could relate to the loss of family and can glean wisdom from its pages. I believe that Fredrik Backman's works are classics in the making.

Wow, I didn’t expect such an emotional punch from this small novel. I expected a great read of course since it is one of Fredrik Backman novels but seriously, I was bawling when I finally finished it. It’s a tiny book but yet so deeply charged.

The love between a grandfather and his grandson, the time missed between a father and his son. I kept thinking about the words to the song, Cats in The Cradle as I composed myself numerous times as I read, pacing myself throughout this novel. It happens, unfortunately it’s happens to a lot of individuals as they begin to raise their children. We must make sacrifices for our children, time is one of them. Time goes quickly and we forget to slow down and enjoy it, to breathe and look around at the ones around us until it is too late and then they’re gone. It’s grandchildren who get rewarded in the future. Noah gets rewarded with time spent with his grandfather. They take walks or boat rides sometimes only finding their way home with a compass and a map. His grandfather is ill, his illness is taking his memories but Noah is there to help him.

I loved the honesty that grandfather reveals about his relationship with his own son when grandfather was a young man. Grandfather loves his grandson dearly and you can tell that by the way he speaks with him and how he handles him like a gentle glove. He spends a great amount of time with his grandson, more time than he did with his own son as he grew up. He admits there is a difference with the two boys and it is this difference that spoke to me. His rational was not what I expected. As grandfather reminiscences about his relationship with his wife, you could feel the love and the fun that they had together. I would have loved to read a novel based on their relationship alone, what a moving novel that would have been. I loved everything about this novel. Be warned though, you will need tissues.

“’When you’ve forgotten a person, do you forget you’ve forgotten?’
‘No, sometimes I remember that I’ve forgotten. That’s the worst kind of forgetting. Like being locked out in a storm’”

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer is a novella by Swedish blogger, columnist and author, Fredrik Backman. It is translated by Alice Menzies. Noah and his grandfather sit on a bench, inhaling the scent of grandma’s hyacinths. Grandma is gone: her body broke before her mind; for grandpa, it’s happening the other way around. Grandpa sits with Noah, trying so hard not to forget the girl he fell in love with, the girl he married, the girl who gave him Ted, Noah’s father.

“’How did you fall in love with her?’ the boy asks.
Grandpa’s hands land with one palm on his own knee and one on the boy’s.
‘She got lost in my heart, I think. Couldn’t find her way out. Your grandma always had a terrible sense of direction. She could get lost on an escalator’”

Noah and grandpa have a special bond: they both love maths, they go fishing together, they stay in the tent on the island. No matter how scared they are about what’s happening to grandpa’s brain, they can play their favourite game, reciting the decimals of pi. And he can tell Noah his favourite joke. Ted never cared for maths, he was a man of letters and instruments. And when he was growing up, his dad was a busy man. But he can’t hide his fear for what his dad is going through now. Grandpa reminds them both that there’s nothing wrong with being afraid.

Once again, Backman pulls together words of wisdom, ideas to make you smile and emotions to tug at your heart strings. A moving and heart-warming read.

Earlier this year I provided reviews on two Fredrik Backman novels: A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie Was Here. The very first book of the year I read, but didn’t offer a review here was: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. And, with And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, I have bookended my year with Fredrick Backman.

I started reading this novella in public yesterday morning and then hastily stopped as my eyes filled with tears and since I was in public and had mascara on, well, let’s just say that I thought it best to wait to read until I was alone and had tissues.

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a generational story about a grandfather, his son, Ted, and then grandson, Noah. Noah and his grandfather both love numbers. They understand each other as only two like souls can understand each other. As the story unfolds, we come to learn that the grandfather is suffering from Alzheimer’s. The title describes the passage the grandfather’s mind must take to the present. Noah is wise beyond his years. While the interactions between Noah and his grandfather remind me of Elsa and her grandmother from Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, I find here the relationship is the one of grace, purity of spirit. It is an embodiment of all the good in human beings without overtones of religion.

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer touches on the fear of growing old and death, the losing of the capacity for thinking when it has been your raison d’etre, but it also embraces love in all of its forms from the wife already lost, to the son who has been sometimes made to feel missing, to the grandson who is hope.

Obviously my tears prove that this one pulls at your heart-strings, but is from truth rather than the schmaltz that many contemporary writers draw upon to make the reader feel.

If you are a lover of poetry and language as I am, stepping into Backman’s world is the loveliest of dreams, where words are like drifting on a lake on a hot summer afternoon; they draw you in and mesmerize you. If you are like me, you will be touched by reading this beautiful story of life and will be thinking about it long after you’ve closed the cover.

Highly recommended. I am making it my “best read of the year.”

I received an ARC from Atria and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am at such a loss for words for this novella. I've started this review four times and nothing seems quite right. Fredrik Backman's writing is so touching, so beautiful, so powerful in its simplicity that trying to write about it just doesn't feel right.

On the one hand, this is a very simple, quick read piece. I read this in about half an hour. On the other hand, there is so much depth and beauty in these very few pages that it will stay with the reader for a long time to come.

In this story an old man recognizes that the aging process is beginning to take a toll on him. He tries desperately to hang on to memories through his beloved grandson, Noah. At the same time he tries to prepare Noah (and himself) for the inevitable.

Noah and his grandfather are cut from the same cloth and the love between them is clear. Noah's father, Ted, however, is a very different sort of man. Just as Ted's father never had time to spend with him, so he is too busy working to spend the quality time with Noah. It's a cycle that is all too clear to some of us. As a man in my mid-fifties, with three children in various stages of striking out on their own, I am looking at and thinking about mortality which can be frightening, but Backman, who is also thinking about mortality, shows that it's not something to fear ... it's very natural. He also reminds us that there is much that an older person is still capable of accomplishing.

The onset of dementia or Alzheimer is something many families face and Backman looks at it here from the perspective of the individual facing the disorder/disease.

Fredric Backman is a writer whose work I will purchase and read any time I see a new work out. His works transform me. They make me reflect and they make me feel good.

Looking for a good book? Fredrik Backman's <em>And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer</em> is a short but deep and warm story that you should read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

How could I could not say no when the publisher asked if I'd like to review this book?? Though I don't read many novellas, I am an absolute evangelist for anything written by Fredrik Backman. I would read his grocery lists. (5 stars, I'm sure!)

I met the Fredrik Backman at BEA this year and was a little surprised to find that he's absolutely nothing like his aging, curmudgeonly characters. In fact, he's quite young and charming. I tried my best to convince him that the wurse in My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry was based on a Newfoundland. And not just any Newfoundland, but my Newfoundland. He made the legitimate argument that the wurse could not be a Newfoundland because it was, in fact, a wurse. Which, by definition, cannot be a dog. He did graciously concede that there are several undeniable shared characteristics and so I let the matter rest. But I digress...

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a beautiful story of the very special relationship between Noah and Grandpa. Grandpa has dementia and is struggling to simultaneously hold onto his memories and prepare Noah for what is to come.

"Noahnoah, promise me something, one very last thing: once your good-bye is perfect, you have to leave me and not look back. Live your life. It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here."

Grandpa is worried about Noah and how he will move on. He has some regrets about the amount of time he spend with Noah's father when he was growing up. He misses his his dead wife terribly and consults her for advice. Through these conversations, we get a glimpse of his former self and the deep love between them. It is both very sad and very beautiful.

As someone had cared for many, many patients with memory impairment, I feel the author did amazing job of portraying the senses of fear, loss, and regret experienced by Grandpa. The period of time when a person comes to the understanding that they are losing their memories, but can do nothing about it, is often the most difficult. The loss of control and independence is overwhelmingly frustrating and saddening.

Fredrik Backman has once again proven that he is THE master of creation when it comes to well-developed, unique, and lovable characters in literary fiction.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a perfect December book club choice. With only 96 pages, it's a one-sitting read sure to please even those with the most hectic of schedules.

Many thanks to Atria Books for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This may be a short novella, but the impact is tremendous. Told through the eyes of his “numbers” grandpa, a little boy - Noah, who is more like his grandfather than his own “words” father Ted, learns the stories and fears of holding on to life’s most precious memories. How the square is getting smaller and smaller and how Grandpa’s family is both struggling to hold on to help him and to gently guide and let go at the same time.

The way home does not talk specifically about a place, but more of the comfort and memories that home entails. It is the people and the places. The stories and memories. The things that get lost over time and yet we try harder and harder to hold on to.

This is a story of compassion – surprising compassion from the most unlikely person. Sometimes we are too close to our own parents and it takes a grandchild to see through the blurred frustration that parents and children hold on to. The next generation is more open and willing to sit and listen to the stories and see both the hope and lament that is just below the surface.

As I said, this is a short novella that reads like a full-blown novel. Fredrik Backman is a master storyteller that knows just the right amounts to include without bogging down the reader with unnecessary drivel. The reader knows the amount of time that has passed and how the relationship between Noah and Grandpa has changed without going in depth with timekeeping and medical analyses. This book is not about a disease, it is about relationships, compassion, and wanting to spend as much time with a person that you love no matter what you are talking about or how many rocks you have to put under an anchor so you can always remember a child as a child.

I have underlined so much in this story that out of fear of quoting the whole book, I have not including any quotes. You will want to keep this novella close so you can read it frequently and I will guarantee that each time you do, you will get something different from the telling and take away a better understanding.

Such beautiful prose in this very touching short novella from Mr. Beckman. I read it in one sitting engrossed in what the grandfather was trying to convey to his grandson. There is so much love here and a great connection because they both love mathematics. There is sadness and regret also because Grandpa wishes that he had spent more time with his son, Noah’s father. They were very different, Grandpa always engrossed in some mathematical equation or other and his son loving language and reading, they interpreted the world differently.

Grandpa misses his dead wife terribly and still “consults” her when he is going to talk to Noah. It has to be a terrible time when someone with Alzheimer’s finally comes to the knowledge that his memories are fading quickly and the times when he is lucid becoming shorter. He wants to tell Noah that it will be all right when he has to say goodbye. Through his memories we get a glimpse of the young man, husband and father that he used to be. As someone in my 60’s it is already a scary time, seeing my family growing and hoping that I will be around long enough to meet all of my grandchildren.

I did enjoy this novella. I don’t think that I would approach this subject with my 9 year old granddaughter in the same way, but everyone is different. I think he is speaking in very philosophical terms to a young boy.

I know that I would read anything that Mr. Backman writes because all of his characters are so well developed and unique and his use of language is always such a joy to unveil.

I would recommend this book to anyone, but keep in mind that it is sad and keep the tissues handy. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel.

In an effort to find something to listen to on my walk this morning, I settled with Backman's "And Every Morning..." This may or may not have been a good idea; good in that it was a nice, short novella to fulfill my walking need, but not good in that I was rendered nearly bawling at occasional points along my route.

Backman begins his novella by stating that he never intended for anyone to read the book (which of course is a great selling point, in my opinion!). He said that he wrote it to deal with his own coming to terms with death and, as the novella alludes, dementia.

The novella is a series of vignettes, some with the narrator and his grandson Noah and some with his late wife. Most of the memories take place in a square full of items related to the narrator's life, which readers come to realize is a symbol for his brain. Noah sits with him there on a bench and they talk about many things, memories mostly. In other vignettes, he meets his former wife when they were young; they talk about many things, mostly his fear of forgetting her entirely since all he has are those memories.

While this book did not remind me much of The Five People You Meet in Heaven, it does do a good job of getting readers to pay attention to their lives, to compare what they're doing with what they'll want to be remembering or regretting if ever in the narrator's circumstance. It does remind me of his only other book I've read--A Man Called Ove---in the attention to small details that show character. I also greatly enjoyed the use of simile throughout the book to flesh out the characters themselves.

Its brevity was also fitting in that dementia so often sweeps in and takes what is current and relevant in terms of time and knowledge, which the book mimics. I recommend this read if for nothing else than a good cry of catharsis, but also for the reminders, however small, that may get you to consider righting some of your current areas of weakness.

Favorite quote: "Those who make haste to live are often eager to miss."
Favorite idea: The grandfather and grandson give each other unnecessary gifts, literally unnecessary gifts like a bag of air. I'd like to try this concept out with my son since he needn't buy me anything---I don't need a thing---but it would be a creative outlet.

What an absolutely beautiful novella, so heartfelt and touching. Based on the letter to the reader in the front of the book, I believe Mr. Backman is losing someone dear to Alzheimers himself which is why I believe there is so much compassion built into this short story. He’s pouring part of himself into Ted and Noah, the son and grandson of the older gentlemen slowly slipping away. I think this novella is a tribute to his loved one, but I’m sure many can relate to the emotions involved.

When I first went to read this, it was the end of the day and I was exhausted. As impossible as it may seem for such a short book, I feel asleep while reading and thus was confused about what I had read. When I picked it back up the next day, I started over and read it straight through. I’m so glad I did. This is a story that needs to be read in one setting. You won’t want to put it down anyway, but to experience the full emotions meant to be felt, it should be read straight through.

I have now read three out of four of Mr. Backman’s books and have loved each and every one. And am over the moon to hear there is a new one coming out this spring for me to enjoy as well. He just might become my new favorite author. He always manages to make me both laugh and cry all in one book.

Thank you to both Simon & Schuster and Net Galley for a copy of this wonderful novella in return for an honest review. I greatly appreciate it.

I was provided with an advanced reader's copy of And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer via Atria Books and NetGalley. This is my honest opinion of the book.

A story about the importance of having memories to anchor you and give your life meaning, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer features a Grandpa struggling to hang onto his thoughts. With powerful imagery guiding the reader through Grandpa's mind, the relationship between him and his grandson Noah is clearly felt. When Noah tells his Grandpa that the stories he has shared will never be forgotten, that he will be there to remind him, readers who have family members with failing memories will be instantly transported. Regardless of its length, this book is full of well intentioned advice and definitely worth the time. "The way home's getting longer and longer every morning now" is the perfect way to describe how it must feel to have to remember your current reality each morning when you wake.

I have thoroughly enjoyed each of author Fredrik Backman's books and this one is no exception. It definitely has a different feeling, with a river of sadness running through it, but the characters and the premise make it very thought provoking and meaningful. As I found it to be well written and have great emotional impact, I would recommend And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer.

This was a quick hit, but it hit hard. I knew it would and saved it for a time when I thought I could handle it but it was so much more than I expected. I was in tears and sobbing from a few minutes in. There were intervals of respite where I settled into peace and tried to absorb the lessons that Grandpa was learning about his relationships with his grandson, NoahNoah, and his son,Ted. As usual in a Fredrik Backman book I also reveled in the fullness of a love relationship, and ached at the grief of losing your love. But mostly I sobbed, and I hold tight to the relationship between Grandpa and his beloved NoahNoah. The author wrote this to deal with his own feelings about losing someone who was still there, and he articulated everything that I can't about facing my father's dementia. I will hold on to this story and these lessons and hope that we can walk this road with as much love and care as Grandpa and NoahNoah and Ted did. I will keep especially close to my heart one simple thing that Ted told his son toward the end of the story.

Aside from the subject matter, which is obviously very personal to me, I would read anything by Fredrik Backman. His characters are magical and his stories are unique.

It's difficult to say anything about this novella - except that I urge you to read it. It's a beautiful story about a grandfather and his grandson, Noah (or Noahnoah as his grandfather calls him because he likes his name more than anyone else's) and the changes in their relationship as the grandfather is losing his memory and Noah is trying to help him remember all of the important parts of his life. I cried throughout the book and had to read it a second time as soon as I finished it - and I cried again. It is just so beautiful and sad and hopeful and lovely. One of my favorite lines (and there were many)
"That's why we get the chance to spoil our grandchildren, because by doing that we're apologizing to our children."

While browsing the audiobook section at my neighborhood library, I came across this audiobook and having not heard anything about it and see it was by Fredrik Backman, I figured it had to be good so I checked it out. I'm so glad I did, although once I read the synopsis and started listening, I wasn't sure how it would effect me as I'm currently the caregiver for my mom who is in early stages of dementia. I ended up loving it. It was only one disc as it's a novella so it was a very fast read. This was beautifully written and wonderfully narrated. It did make me sad as I'm slowly seeing changes in my mom, but I'm very glad to have picked this one up. In fact, I think I will give it another listen before it goes back to the library.

The little novella packs a powerful punch. This is one that will not be forgotten. Grandpa is in the throes of losing his memory, and each day he loses a little more. He is aware this is happening; it scares him. He shares his thoughts with his grandson, Noah, with whom he shares an unbreakable bond.

This less than one hour read delivers a treasure trove of beautifully drawn themes to the reader. In a most poignant manner it addresses the fear of not only growing old, but of losing precious memories held most dear and letting go. We also see what is truly important in life, the power of love and family, the consuming nature of regrets, and the emotional desire for there to be a heaven even when the scientific mind says there is not. The story made me smile, brought me to tears, led me to think, and most importantly, it made me FEEL. This tiny novella stirred up more emotion in me than almost anything else I have read in the last year.

The author originally wrote this tale for himself; it was not going to be published. Thankfully, he eventually decided to share it with the world. This is a piece that everyone should read. Most highly recommended.

Thank you to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for an ARC of this novella. The opinions expressed in the review are totally mine.

Thank you Netgalley.com for the advanced digital copy of And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer in return for my honest review.

I was touched by Fredrik Backman's novella (but I disliked the title). Since his first novel A Man Called Ove, I read everything that Fredrik Backman writes. His stories feel true and heartfelt; he has the gift of making the reader laugh out-loud one moment and sob the next. His talent is extraordinary.

This novella jumps around in time. Memories are fleeting. The story is scattered and confusing, difficult to follow at times, as Noah's grandpa struggles to share his memories with his grandson before they are lost forever. This purposeful style choice effectively recreates for the reader a sense of what an Alzheimer's patient must experience on a daily basis for years and years. Inside Grandpa's head the reader shares in his joys, sorrows, regrets and love. The grandpa tries to prepare his grandson; he is trying to say good-bye.

If you haven't read this author's work, don't waste another minute. A Man Called Ove remains one of my favorite books of all time, but each of his books is special. Fredrik Backman captures life with such honesty and grace that every story he tells is magical.

Getting old is difficult, particularly for those who suffer from dementia, who have to struggle with the loss of memories, the loss of recognition of their loved ones, and also for those who love them. This is a sweet story about how one family wrestles with the slow loss of their grandfather, father, and how the man himself struggles to come to terms with what he is going through.

What a quick read! I went in knowing it was a novella, but I finished it in under 40 minutes, and felt certain part of the book must be missing. But it was 40 minutes well spent. I fell in love with Backman when I read <i>A Man Called Ove</i>, so it’s no surprise that I enjoyed this. I didn’t find it as compelling or emotional as <i>Ove</i>, but it was lovely and sad and hopeful. The relationship between grandfather and grandson was wonderful, the kind of relationship any child would be lucky to have. There is a lot of heart in this novella, and I’m starting to get the impression that is just Backman’s way.

Loads of heart + quirky characters = everything I love about Backman.

Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, made my heart skip a beat! Though only ninety-six pages, the novella is poignant, and the writing is beautiful and poetic. This is the first book I have read by Fredrik Backman, and I’m a fan! The story focuses on several topics, such as, the love and understanding between grandparents and grandchildren, the loss of a loved one, forgetting your memories, growing old, and dying. The story is nostalgic and heartfelt; it reminded me of the love of my grandmother. Although she died more than thirty-three years ago, I think of her often and miss her greatly. I recommend this book to anyone who has lost a loved one near and dear to their heart.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Atria Books and Fredrik Backman for an ARC of this poignant and beautiful novella, in exchange for my candid review.

A few of my favorite quotes:
“Are we here to learn how to say goodbye, Grandpa? He eventually asks. The old man scratches his chin, thinks for a long time. Yes, Noahnoah. I’m afraid we are.”

“But the universe gave you both Noah. He’s the bridge between you. That’s why we get the chance to spoil our grandchildren, because by doing that we’re apologizing to our children.”

I've read several other works by Backman. In fact, I went through my first truly dark time a few years ago, and, during this stretch, I read A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. These beautifully written, wise, and funny stories did not, on their own, pull me from my dark space. But they were a significant handhold, and I still look on them with great fondness.

When I was finally feeling healthy and happy again, I worried that the sadness and anxiety might return. So I purposely did not read any more of Backman's books or novellas. I was saving them in case I needed rescue.

After more than two years of feeling strong and taking the time to reflect and understand why I was challenged then, I felt safe in reading more of Backman's books. This time I read for enjoyment, not for solace. I read Britt-Marie Was Here and Beartown (Beartown was darker than his other works, but still beautiful).

What joy to find that this writer, who I had placed on such a pedestal, was still an excellent read, even when in hale mental health.

I just finished And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. I cried. I cried so much. My grandfather was an engineer who loved mathematics. My father is a man who loves words and history, and he can play the guitar beautifully (read the novella, and you'll understand the comparison). My grandfather's strong and sharp mind was stolen from him by dementia, and the pain this caused my father was immeasurable.

I'm not sure what magic wand Backman holds, but this novella captured the terror and vulnerability felt by all members of a family afflicted by Alzheimer's or dementia - and still it managed to also be cathartic and uplifting.

I cannot recommend Fredrik Backman enough. His writings made me laugh, made me think, soothed my heart, and challenged me to be more empathetic.

For anyone struggling with the awfulness of missing a loved one while they are still here - or even after they are gone (I love you grandpa), I hope this novella can be a small balm like it was for me.

A short and very wonderful story of a grandpa fighting Alzheimer's Disease and his conversations with his dead wife, his son and his grandson. The wisdom of this grandfather is way beyond most people. Fredrik Backman has become one of my very favorite authors. I have read all of his books and recommend them without hesitation. His characters are sometimes curmudgeons and sassy but you can't help loving them in spite of that. His books just make you feel good. I can't wait until his next book comes out in 2017. I just love his writing. Thanks to Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book. It will hold a place of honor in my library.

Read a Man Called Ove. Saw this one and didn't look at the previews. Started reading, and sobbing. My mom has dementia and this really hit me. My siblings and I have been dealing with it for 3 yrs and being "strong". This story let all the feelings and sadness out. I love it but be sure to have tissues. Probably will reread it after a while. I think it hits more when you know someone with dementia or alzhiemers.

The following was published in my monthly Dear Frances advice column for caregivers in the Hawaii Herald:

Dear Readers,

I was walking out a local book shop in Denver last week when suddenly this thin 76 page book caught my eye and I knew it was meant for all of us. This book is like that complete rainbow you see in the sky after a rainfall or the first newly bloomed red rose, or that maple leaf that swirls down from a tree right in front of you. Simply exquisite. And the moment lasts for a very long time.

It is a poignant and quiet story of Grandpa whose dementia world is closing in on him. His grandson Noah stays with him, helping him hang on to his memories and to their love of mathematics, until it’s time to let go without fear. The story is told in many layers.

You can't leave this book with a dry eye. it is impossible to do so. Alzheimer's affects so many people and it is a tough journey for both the sufferer and the family and this book portrays that, but in a uniquely beautiful way.

The relationship between the grandfather and the grandson in this book is so sweet and really shows how delicate a human life and the brains we rely on every day actually are. The author did a great job of giving us characters that we can fully care about, even in a short space.

This is a wonderful book, filled to the brim with emotion. Grab a cup of tea and relax by the fireside with this one.

This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This novella will not be for everyone, but it spoke to me on so many personal levels that I stopped in the middle and couldn't finish it for a while. After a few weeks I picked it up again and reread what I had started and pushed my way through, blinking away tears as the words grew blurry. It brought back many read memories of my relationships with my grandfather and father that I cherish and am trying to relive with my own grandchildren. Feelings of loss, joy, and deep sadness overwhelmed me at times, but I am grateful that I finished. Thank you, Mr. Backman, you brought a lump to my throat and made me cry. I loved your story. I regret that I can only give it a five star rating; there are not enough stars in the sky to express how deeply this tale touched me.

Book #22 Read in 2018
And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

This novella focuses on Noah and his grandfather, who is losing his memory. When the book starts, Noah is a young boy who is afraid of his grandfather forgetting him. This journey though is one the two take together and it shows the power of family and love. I read it in one sitting. High school and adult readers would appreciate this book.

I bought this book because I enjoyed A Man Called Ove and loved My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You I’m Sorry. My mistake. I did not read the book description. Unfortunately, my false expectations undermined my feelings for this novella. This is a short bittersweet novel about memory loss in particular and loss in general. Well done and touching, but not what I needed to read at this point in my life. We are all different people. At sad times and times of grief, I do not want to read about what I am experiencing. As I said, good book, but the wrong book at this time for me.

Oh my heart! Fredrik Backman takes our darkest fears, out deepest loves and drops them in our lap to be dealt with. A story about Alzheimer's and losing those we love while they are still alive. Sweet, sad, wonderful, despairing, true. I was driving on Christmas day listening to this on CD. Gulping tears obscuring the road. Alzheimer's is something most of us are going to have to deal with. I already have and probably will again. This is a man's personal thoughts as he has dealt with it. Mr. Backman is ranking as one of my favorite writers.

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman is the time that I have listened to or read one of Backman's Stories. This story is very short, I was very surprised at how short it was. I have been reading a lot of books about Dementia and Alzheimers. There are relatives on both sides of my family who have had those diseases. Also I now have Mild Cognitive Impairment so my chances for developing Alzheimers are four times a person without it.

This story has a sweetness about it and there are two strong themes of love and fear. Tge three generations of the old man, his son and his grandson are experiencing losing their mind with its memories and thinking abilities or having a close relative who it. The language used by the grandpa was a good representation of beginning Alzheimers and later on. It is difficult to sort out time periods but that is to be expected. It does have beautiful messages but I was wanting more.I wanted more of the struggle that people going through this experience have. It just seems a little bit too positive for me. I will continue to read the authors's writings, just sending the message that some of what happens was left out.

Fredrik Backman's novella is heartwarming. It's the kind of book you want to come back to again and again. It's full of small pieces of wisdom tucked between the lines the characters exchange. In true Fredrik Backman fashion, this novella makes you stop, pause and think, makes you smile, and catches you by surprise with the right phrase that is so perfectly constructed.

Grandpa's brain is not what it used to be, but there is a lot going on in his brain. Noah, his grandson, is the thing that makes Grandpa want to stay present longer. Ted, Grandpa's son, didn't have the attention he wanted from his father growing up, but Noah is the receiver of all the attention Grandpa could ever give. Grandma's death left Grandpa with a hole that can only be eased over by Noah's presence. Noah and Grandpa have always been on the same page, two kindred spirits.

I loved this novella! It's honestly sweet, and endearing. The characters are darling, and their lines memorable. Although you can grasp the sadness in this novella, you feel the hopeful future it tends towards. I highly recommend And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, especially to Fredrik Backman fans. Make sure you make time to not only read it, but also process it.

I was contacted by the publisher via Net Galley and offered a free e-book copy of this book. All thoughts expressed here are my own.

“Sometimes I remember that I have forgotten. That’s the worst kind of forgetting
.
I listened to this one on audio and loved everything about it. A near perfect short story. Felt very organic and true. Heartbreaking and beautifully told.

“Where is this road taking us?”

“Home.”

Most readers of Frederik Backman’s novella titled, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer, will be moved by an endearing story of the loss of memory. Many readers will be brought to tears. This is a story of a farewell between a grandfather who is losing his memory and his grandson, Noah. It’s a wonderful story of love and finding ways to let go. Pack a hankie for when you read this book.

Rating: Four-star (I like it)

Different, dark, excellent!

A writer being the main character and accused of the murders of his family. A police officer with a sad, dark past of his own.

The descriptive writing enhances the pace and dark side of this thriller. A page turner.

One of the best books of the year, heartfelt is not a strong enough description. The author is miracally lyrical in his words, a must-read for anyone trying to understand getting old, getting senile and those youthful and wise enough to want to do so. It is the book you want to pass on to others as soon as you have read it, not once, but twice and maybe a third time.

“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…When a brain fades it takes a long time for the body to realize.”

Frederik Backman’s new novella provides us with a philosophical yet poignant glimpse of an elderly man trying to hang onto his memories, and the love of those that must say goodbye to him inch by inch. I received my DRC from Net Galley and Random House Alibi in exchange for this honest review. This novella will be published November 1, 2016.

They say that each generation corrects for the one before it, rendering us more like our grandparents sometimes than our parents themselves. So it is with Noah and Grandpa. Grandpa calls his grandson “Noahnoah”, because he likes his grandson’s name twice as much as anyone else’s. Sometimes Noah’s father Ted comes to see Grandpa, and when he mentions Noah, Grandpa doesn’t know who that is. Sometimes Grandpa knows everyone; sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he mistakes one of them for the other.

But Grandpa—who has no other name in this book, having taken on the generic persona that Western society tends to give us as we grow very old—shares a special bond with his grandson, and it is his grandson that comes to him, still, with questions about life and the universe.

Grandma is no longer living, but theirs was a happy marriage despite their dispute about God and the afterlife. Noah says to his grandfather, “’Grandma believed in God, but you don’t. Do you still get to go to Heaven if you die?’”

Grandpa tells him, “’Only if I’m wrong.’”

The years pass. As usual, Grandpa wants to know about school, but he has forgotten that Noahnoah isn’t a student anymore; he’s become the teacher. On the other hand, school is better than ever now. And so it goes.

This story is brief, and I read it in just a couple of sittings. Despite the cover art, it isn’t necessarily a book for children. It’s a wonderful story in that it shows us a gentle way of dealing with aging—which can be so hard to do, particularly if Alzheimer’s makes the elderly sufferer angry with no reason—and it also helps us learn to let go. For some, this might be a good grief story. For others that had to let go without being able to be with the beloved family member much in their final years, it might be painful, because the grandson and father both spend time with this man as he declines.

I can see ways in which this story might help a YA reader with not only a strong literacy level, but the ability to think abstractly, cope with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia in an elderly relative that means a lot to them, but I would advise the parent or guardian to read it first, and then decide. There’s no sex, no profanity; just pleasure, love, joy, and aching sorrow.

I could not have read this book if it was longer. It was really well written. It felt true to the way a person with dementia must feel: confused, scared, lost, and because I know people with the onset of dementia, the novella was painful.

I loved this novella about a grandfather losing his memory and the special relationship he has with his grandson Noah. There are many notable quotes in this little gem. It makes you think about getting older and enjoying life while you are still with those you love.

I just loved this poignant little book! My family has been ravaged by Alzheimer's Disease, so I found this book to be sweet, funny, sad, and heart-breaking. I read it in under 30 minutes and was so sorry to see it end. I have read all of Backman's books, and this one is not to be missed.

The aging process... something that can be quite difficult for an individual as well as their loved ones is the subject of this novella. We see a grandfather preparing his grandson for the day he won't be able to remember him while fighting to cling to memories he once had. The relationships between husband and wife, father and son, and grandfather and grandson pull heavy at the heart in a very beautiful way.

I think the synopsis for the novella is longer than the actual novella! It was a little over an hour audiobook. And man what an hour!! This was a heartwarming and heartbreaking novella. It tells so much in so few words. "I went to the doctor and told him I broke my arm in two places. He told me to stop going to those places." (Not verbatim)

Fredrik Backman's writting is so personal and every character feels real. "Every Morning the Way Home..." was that and more. I loved the novella and couldn't put it down. Sweet, loving story about a boy, a dad, a grandpa and their love for each other and life. Highly recommend.

Fredrik Backman is fantastic. I love his books and this one was was short but was just as great. He has a way of instantly making you love the characters. When I read his books I'm completely immersed in the world and I don't hear anything around me. I would definitely recommend this book.

Fredrik Backman has done it again! Both bittersweet and uplifting, this short book was impossible to put down. I actually finished it, and the next day I read it for a second time. This book made me think about loss, life, love and family, and it is beautifully written. I will be highly recommending this book to friends and family (would make a great gift for anyone who has alzheimer's disease.) I look forward to reading more from this extremely talented author.

This has to be the best short story I've ever read. Maybe it's because I'm older and lost my dad in this same manner. It's a wonderful view of memory loss in an older adult. It's shows younger people how scary and painful it can be to sense senility is approaching. Have the Kleenex handy. I'm going to be reading this many times.

backman gets you right up close and personal with alzheimer's disease and how it affects everyone it touches. it hits close to home and it hurts. you may as well plan to cry if you are going to read this one. it is a sad reality and a book well-written.

“And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer” is a beautifully written novella about Alzheimer’s. It’s a one-sitting story that is unforgettable. I won’t lie; I ugly cried pretty much through the entire thing.

This unbiased review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

Frederick Bachman is a fantastic author. I have read all his books and this novella was a gem. He takes you on the journey of a grandpa as his Alzheimer's progresses as the relationships between generations shines through. What an excellent read. Loved it!

A short novella that can be read in one sitting. It's about aging, love, family, memory, and goodbyes. Author has a unique way of getting his story across - fragmented almost - that takes some getting used to. The ending is powerful. Good read!

This the fourth Backman work I have read , and, with each book, I marvel at how he manages, at such a young age, to tap the soul of his characters. He has the rare gift of very few writers; beautiful storyteller.

Wow! Read this through tears. It is a must read if you have any family dealing with dementia. Deeply moving. Loss is such a part of the human experience. Fredrik Backman will take you there and you will be better because of it.

I'm finding it difficult to know what else to say besides what a beautiful, beautiful story , so full of love and life , even in the wake of loss . What it's about is best described by Backman himself in his letter to the reader at the beginning.

"This is a story about memories and about letting go. It's a love letter and a slow farewell between a man and his grandson, and between a dad and his boy. I never meant for you to read it, to be quite honest. I wrote it just because I was trying to sort out my own thoughts, and I'm the kind of person who needs to see what I'm thinking on paper to make sense of it. But it turned into a small tale of how I'm dealing slowly with losing the greatest minds I know , about missing someone who is still here, and how I wanted to explain it to my children. I'm letting it go for now, for what it's worth."

I thought maybe I'd leave this review by just saying so very beautiful because I'm afraid that I won't do it justice with cliche , but I woke up thinking about this story and I'm so affected by it that I'm compelled to say something more. What a striking, breathtaking relationship between an aging, senile grandfather and his young grandson we see here! Backman never ceases to amaze me with his understanding of the elderly characters he gives us - Ove , A Man Called Ove and Elsa's grandmother in My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. The empathy, the caring way he presents them - where does it come from ? In that opening letter to his readers we learn that it came from deep within, a place where this story reached me . Not much more I can say , except to say again- so very beautiful. One of my favorites of 2016 .

I received an ARC of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley.

Having recently lost my mother to age and dementia, I could relate to this story. Very well written, funny, heartbreaking, and true to my experience. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It has clean language and reflects real life in many instances.

An incredible novella, Fredrik Backman tells the touching story of what it might feel like for someone who has the beginnings of Alzheimer's disease. I laughed, I cried. I wished there were more, and yet, it was enough. Read this book.

From the author of A Man Called Ova is an amazing, heart felt story called 'Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer' I'm not going to spoil it for those that will read this novel, but I will say it is a must read for anyone who has suffered the loss of a loved one to Dementia or for anyone who is caring for someone who suffers from this destructible disease. Life is too short and being with those that we love is what life is about.

A special thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Love this book!!! 5 Stars +++

Fredrik Backman has created a unique brand, with his own genre and collection of quirky humorous characters, with light-hearted, and deeply moving stories. Fans are loving! It all started with the sensational debut, A MAN CALLED OVE, now a film, recently released in the US, featured in the latest Oct 2016, New York Times. What an inspiring story! Still on the bestseller list. Thereafter came, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here.

I read the author's latest this weekend, AND EVERY MORNING THE WAY HOME GETS LONGER AND LONGER his first novella and was "Hooked!" My absolute favorite book thus far, and my “Favorite Novella of 2016”: I think this warrants its own hashtag #AEMTWHGLAL. After reading the novella, had a "binge" Backman weekend, listening to audios of all the books I missed. I tend to start with the latest and work my way backward.

A story about TIME. A short, yet powerful story of fear and love, and how they seem to go hand in hand. Using the time wisely, we have, while we still have it. We know it is priceless, but sometimes we think there will be time to say and do everything we want to say. Sometimes, there is no time.

For anyone who has lost someone dear to them, or is losing someone to an illness, this book is for you! I cannot say enough about this book. A moving portrait of an elderly’s man struggling to hold on to precious memories. A family trying to cope with a way to let go. Buy multiple copies. Give them away; perfect for gift giving: Christmas, holiday, and those who need uplifting, going through trying times with illness, loss, and their loved ones for guidance and understanding. A perfect size.

As the author mentions in his opening letter to the readers, this book was never meant for us to read. It was the author’s personal way to sort out his own thoughts on paper. But it turned into a small tale of how he is dealing with slowly losing the greatest minds he knows and about missing someone who is still here and how he wanted to explain it to his children. He is letting it go. We can only extend our deepest gratitude, and sincere "thank you" for sharing this intimate poignant story to your readers.

It is Grandpa, his grandson Noah and his dad Ned. An elderly man with dementia is slowly slipping away. He is hanging on to the memories. A family trying to make sense and come to grips with this tragedy. The bridge which connects grandson and grandfather. The special bond. By doing so is a way to apologize to the children Their daily sharing on the bench--their love of mathematics and their jokes. He has lost his wife, and he tells Noah about their life together. He does not want to forget. They talk to her. Ned, Noah’s dad sometimes sits on the bench, but he prefers writing and playing the guitar versus math. He is angry about grandpa’s illness.

The elderly man is slowly losing part of his memories. He is struggling to hold on; however, slowly slipping away. The fear of the unknowns. Getting old. Dying. Noah wants to understand. Mathematics always took them where they needed to go, but now this places lacks coordinates; there are no roads out, no maps lead here. Readers hear about his falling in love. She was a wise woman. He has so little time.

Favorite Quotes:

“Those who hasten to live are in a hurry to miss, she sometimes used to whisper to Noah, though he didn’t know what she meant before she was buried.

Noah is insightful. “I would rather be old than a grown-up. All grown-ups are angry, it’s just the children and old people who laugh.”

Grandpa: My memories are running away. “I’m constantly reading a book with a missing page, and it’s always the most important one.” "Like constantly searching for something in your pockets. First, you lose the small things, then it’s the big ones. It starts with keys and ends with people." “Sometimes I remember that I’ve forgotten. That’s the worst kind of forgetting. Like being locked out in a storm. Death is a slow drum. It counts every beat. We can’t haggle with it for more time.”

Noah: “But one good thing with your brain being sick, is that you’re going to be really good at keeping secrets. That’s a good thing if you’re a grandpa.” If you forget me, then you’ll just get the chance to get to know me again.

As the blurb states, “A small book with a BIG message.” So very true. This is a rare gem, you will treasure!.

On a personal note: As many of you are aware, I lost my mom recently in August after her three -year courageous battle with cancer, and see a lot of my dad (lost without mom), through the eyes/voice of the grandfather portrayed. Even though our loved ones have an illness, death is something no one wants to discuss. Until one day, there is no more time. Time is precious. With an aunt currently suffering from Alzheimer’s; this powerful small book, will warm your heart and touch your soul. Everyone will recognize someone in their life that may be slipping away. This book can be of great comfort to those in times of turmoil and unrest.

I found myself reading the book, over and over and bookmarking so many pages. Beautifully written. In addition to the book copy, also purchased the audiobook, and David Morse narrator delivered a captivating performance! Looking forward to Beartown, coming May 2017 (Atria Books) a poignant, charming novel about a forgotten town fractured by scandal, and the amateur hockey team that might just change everything.

JDCMustReadBooks

This is a truly magnificent short story. It will make you smile and cry at the same time. If you have a family member with memory loss you might need to read this in very small doses - I did!
Highly recommend.

Fredrik Backman has been one of my favorite authors for awhile, so there was no way I was going to decline Atria's offer of an ARC of his novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. In a Letter to the Reader, Backman discloses that the book was not initially intended for publication. I'd like to kiss the feet (metaphorically speaking) of the person who convinced him to share his meditation on memory and death with the rest of us.

Backman describes his greatest fear as "imagination giving up before the body does"; substitute "the mind" for "imagination" and I think Backman has captured the zeitgeist of the Alzheimer's era, when we have the ability to perpetuate physical life long after the memory, the mind, the personality, is gone. "It's an awful thing to miss someone who's still here" belongs on a badge worn by every person with a loved one whose heart is still strong but whose eyes have lost their defining spark.

This is a book you'll want to read in private, with a box of tissues close at hand (unless you don't mind fellow commuters watching your mascara streak down your face). Regardless of the setting you select, you need to read And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. Trust me: Grandpa and Noah are not just characters, but people you won't soon forget.

This review was based on a free ARC provided by the publisher.

5++

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer covers so many important topics in a brief novella. I read it once and then had to immediately start from the beginning and read it again. I cried a lot both times. As Backman mentions in his opening letter to the reader at the start of the book, many people fear getting older, particularly losing their memory, more than they fear dying. To me, memory loss is a very scary thing, and something that I hope never happens to me. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s and dementia are issues many deal with today, and Backman has written an ode to this traumatic issue and having to say goodbye to someone who is not yet leaving the earth.

As he addresses memory loss, Backman also beautifully portrays the wonderful relationship that grandparents and grandchildren share. Without the responsibilities parents have, grandparents can just enjoy their grandchildren and create bonds, life-long interests and memories that will never fade. In this book, Grandpa and Noah (Grandpa calls him NoahNoah because he likes Noah’s name twice as much as everyone else’s name) are on a bench in a square that grows smaller day by day (as Grandpa’s memory is slowly fading). It is filled with the everyday items that represent all that they have shared such as their love of math and reciting the endless digits of pi, camping gear, strings of Christmas lights that decorate Grandpa’s shed, and a stuffed animal Grandpa gave to Noah when he was young. As the story progresses, the two slowly learn to say goodbye as they revisit the many memories they have shared.

This book should be read by all who are sadly having to face the mental loss of someone they love while the physical body of that individual is not yet ready to give out. While it is terrifying for the poor soul experiencing the memory loss, it is also so incredibly scary and sad for those who love that individual and at times very hard for them to understand. Backman has managed to convey some sense of how a mind impacted by Alzheimer’s or dementia is operating as it is slowly shutting down. While I have read a fair amount about aging and memory loss, I feel this is the first time someone has been able to help me understand what it might actually be like to be the one experiencing it. Numerous passages are so fabulously written and create such a vivid portrayal of how the mind is functioning when muddled by memory loss. I read those sections again and again. Be prepared to need a LOT of tissues.

I highly, highly recommend And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer. This book would make a fabulous gift for anyone who is dealing with a family member or close friend with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Thanks to Atria for providing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. While I have a number of favorite authors, Backman is at the top of the heap. I am anxiously awaiting his next endeavor and cannot wait to read it but in the meantime plan to reread this gem once again – with tissues in hand.

This is a novella about a boy and his Grandpa. Noah and Grandpa have a wonderful relationship – one that Grandpa considers his second chance since he wasn’t always around for his son, Noah’s dad. Grandpa and Noahnoah (that’s what Grandpa calls him) “get” each other. They like the same things. When Grandpa starts forgetting things Noah reassures him even though he’s not quite sure what’s going on.

Fredrik Backman’s characters get to me every time. This time it’s a tale about life through the eyes of an old man and a little boy. Maybe it’s because of where I am in my own life that I could relate. Backman had me smiling on one page and tearing up on the next.

I liked the simple illustrations that were sprinkled through the novella. It took only an hour or so to read and I was left smiling as I turned the last page. It was lovely. *I received a galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

It’s so sad and great. It’s awesome when authors allow you to better understand someone else’s life/experience the way you do in this book. Backman is such a good author; he really knows how to instill emotion in you and allow you to connect to his characters.

"We're in my brain, Noahnoah. And it got smaller overnight again."

Noah and his Grandpa share a special bond. Together, they speak the language of numbers. Because mathematics will always lead you home.

Until it doesn't anymore.

Lately, Grandpa has been struggling to make it home. The distance between hazy memories and lucidness is growing longer each day. Grandpa doesn't want to forget all the numbers to pi, his favorite doctor joke, and especially not his beloved late wife. Luckily, Noah vows to help him remember.

This charming and heartbreaking novella is everything you'd expect from Fredrik Backman. It's a rare author who can wrap dementia up in sunshine and do it in a way that feels moving instead of flippant or manipulative. If you enjoy Backman's usual brand of quirky melodrama, this will be no exception. This is the kind of book I think I would get even more from on a reread (it can be a bit confusing at first to decipher what was in Grandpa's head and what was really taking place-- at least it was for me). And coming in at less than 100 pages, why not revisit Grandpa and Noah's special world?

I received a free copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley

This beautifully written little book has left me feeling a bit sad but at the same time happy that I was able to read such a beautiful told story about an aging issue that many of us will face. An elderly grandpa's brain is dying but his body is still going strong. He has a very special relationship with his young grandson and is trying to prepare him for the inevitable dementia that is creeping up on him. Grandpa reminisces about his beloved wife who has passed before him. He worries that he will forget her and his special grandson, Noah. Grandpa and Noah collaborate to be there for each other. Noah will remind Grandpa of who he is when he no longer remembers.
I have been a big fan of Fredrick Backman, since reading A Man Called Ove. I was excited to read this story of love, aging and death told by Grandpa and Noah. This is a truly special story that addresses the dementia issue that many of us fear as we approach our senior years and it is told with deep feelings, warmth and insight.
I receive an Advanced Readers Copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and this is an honest review.

Ok, so I just sat down and read the new this novella.
Oh. My.
I hope this man never stops writing. How can I SOB in 76 pages? I mean I had mascara running down my cheeks. Ugly, snotty crying.
It's another magical book. I'm going to read it again. Maybe tonight.
Part of me was maybe more strongly affected because my dad suffered from Dementia and passed away 2 years ago. So I kept wondering "Did he think and feel like this??" and I'm sure the answer is "Yes". Which made me cry more. But a good, cathartic, beautiful cry.

When I saw a book available for request by Fredrik Backman, I immediately requested it. I absolutely love his books. I didn't look at the description or anything. This one happens to be a novella and I was pretty glad about that. It's about an older man who has Alzheimer's disease. It is terribly sad. I don't think I could go through a whole book that reads like this. I know that's horrible to say because there are a lot of people who go through life like that. However, a book should be entertainment.

I will say that it was very well written and definitely captures the disease through the words of the grandpa and the frustrations of the son.

As I said, it is terribly sad and well written. I still recommend it, as it is Fredrik Bachman and his unique writing style is one not to be missed.

Thanks Atria Books and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful, touching, sad but uplifting little book. It brought me to tears.

Anyone who has watched someone go through this - losing touch with reality, losing memory, feeling lost - - will recognize the characters in this book. That Backman is able to tell this tale so simply and eloquently, is a testament to his great talent.

'"I think good-byes are hard," the boy admits.'

I challenge anyone not to read this novella without a lump in the throat. A moving, heart-wrenching, emotive piece of writing that is simply exquisite.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.

This brief story very tenderly deals with the life cycle; it deals with the maturing of a child and the aging of the adult; it deals with their relationship, their loyalty and devotion to each other. It deals with the love and loss they will have to come to terms with as a fact of life.

Noah is Ted’s son. Ted and his father did not have the greatest relationship because they were too different, but Ted’s son Noah and his father hit it right off. They have similar interests and they are very close. Noah and his grandpa have made lots of good memories together, but his grandpa is getting old and his own memories are fading. Grandpa knows that each day, he loses more and more of the world he once knew. He worries about losing the memory of those people who mean the most to him; he worries about drifting away. He wants Noah to be prepared for the day he may not know him, for the day he will no longer be. Noah, in his innocence and with the purity of his love for his grandpa, reassures him that he will help him to stay in this world with him. He will bring him back when his mind wanders. He will give him a blue balloon to tether him to earth and also to him. As his grandpa had comforted and guided him, Noah offers to do the same for his grandpa when the time comes.

Through the conversations Noah has with his grandpa, the beauty of their relationship is revealed. The story is told with such tenderness as the needs of father and child over four generations are revealed, that the reader may find his/her eyes grow moist. The reader will look through a window as Ted’s father and mother engage, as Ted and his father engage, as his father and Noah engage and as Noah and his own daughter eventually engage. In this short novella, the reader will watch as life goes full circle over several generations as day surely follows night. As Ted tended to his father, Noah will tend to his, and his daughter will tend to him; this process will go on and on as life goes on and on.

This is a story about love and life simply and elegantly told. The reader will come to understand the message that as the young grow older and stronger, the old grow older and more infirm. As the young make new memories, the elderly lose their old memories. As the world of the young widens, the world of the elderly begins to shrink, but this is not sad; it is the circle of life. When it is dominated by love and devotion for each other, it is beautiful. Perhaps it is Pollyanna, but if so, I prefer Pollyanna.

Backman’s stories, in their simplicity and honesty, are an exercise in pleasure. Exploring the most ordinary concepts, he creates profound understanding, and even with the most difficult subjects, like life and death, he manages to make the tale uplifting and filled with hope for the future.

This short novella is a beautiful way to look at a sad situation. Grandpa is losing his memory and he shares his love of math and his joy and love with his beloved grandson Noah, even as he loses his memories. Once again I am astounded and impressed by how wonderful Bakman's writing is. I cannot describe this book in a way that will do it justice. I think that people who have loved ones with Alzheimer’s and dementia will be very touched by this book and I highly recommend it.

I received this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this short read but it was very sad at the same time. Grandpa is trying to explain to his grandson, NoahNoah about his illness and how he won't be him for much longer. Grandpa sees Grandma and she tires to help him through this heartbreaking time. (Grandma passed away a long time ago). It was enjoyable but heartbreaking as we see the illness in it's true form. We see Grandpa not recognizing his own son and talking to his son about his son thinking that he is talking to a stranger. We see Grandpa remembering good times with Grandma and how much he loved her and the beautiful memories he has of his son as a little guy. All while this is going on it seems that Grandpa is just stuck in a moment, but before you know it Noah is grown up and has a daughter of his own. We are introduced to all the places in Grandpa's mind that he remembers and mostly they are good times. We see how scared Grandpa is of losing everyone and not knowing where he is and who he's with. The writing was beautiful and real. The only reason I gave this 3 stars is because it was so short and I just wanted more. It is touching and worth the read. I have a review of this also up on my Booktube Channel on Youtube - ReadingwithPugs