The Winners

We are a people who tell stories, who try to use stories to put what we have experienced into some sort of context, to explain what we have been fighting about in the hope that it will excuse what we have done. But stories reveal both the very best of us and the very worst, and can one ever outweigh the other?

Y’all, it is about impossible to write a review for any book Fredrik Backman writes, and The Winners is no different. I mean, what can I say that will fully express my feelings about this book and the cast of characters who have wormed their way into my heart and emotions.

Like all Backman’s books this series as a whole is about relationships we make and those we ignore, family, belonging, competition and the outcomes, and of course triumph and tragedy.

I loved Backman’s writing style. It’s as if I’m sitting there as he tells me a story all while holding my hand and doing his best to prepare me for the end as he tells it. There were so many passages that I marked, and they were those moments in the story where Backman hit pause and gave those little nuggets of truth and wisdom pertaining to life.

As for the characters…Oh how they will tug on your heartstrings and possibly break your heart, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

And the ending…It’s a tearjerker, but we all know that’s another reason we pick up Backman’s books. Afterall, it’s how we know we’ve become part of the story and the characters mean so much to us before it’s all said and done.

I was truly blessed to be able to read this book with Tonya, Becky, and Andrea. We were sending each other quotes, thoughts, fears for what may happen, and shedding tears together. Thank you so much ladies! This is a story that reading with y’all made even more special.

Thank you, Atria, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.