Ronit J

Fantasy Author of Absurd Stories

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And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer | Fredrik Backman | Book Review

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer is a 2015 novella written by Fredrik Backman that tells the story of an old man with Alzheimer who struggles to keep hold of what memories he still has. This was the last book I read in 2024, and it left me teary-eyed. The perfect bookend for my 2024 reading journey.

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer by Fredrik Backman | Synopsis

A little book with a big heart!

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here comes an exquisitely moving portrait of an elderly man’s struggle to hold on to his most precious memories, and his family’s efforts to care for him even as they must find a way to let go.

With all the same charm of his bestselling full-length novels, here Fredrik Backman once again reveals his unrivaled understanding of human nature and deep compassion for people in difficult circumstances. This is a tiny gem with a message you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer by Fredrik Backman | Review

Fredrik Backman is one of my wife’s favourite authors, and I am eternally grateful that she introduced his writing to me. Every book of his reads like a warm hug. They’re cosy reads, but they also highlight deeper human truths with sensitivity and empathy. This novella is no exception.

What I liked about And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer:

I’ll start by saying that this one has been the saddest Backman story I’ve read so far. Ove had its gut-wrenching emotional moments, as did Anxious People. But “And Every Morning…”? Damn, I had a lump in my throat the whole time I was reading. Even the preface, where Backman talks about why he wrote this book sets the tone for a bittersweet story that will make you cry, but not leave you feeling hopeless at the same time.

The sense of loss and grief pervades every single page of this short novella. The prose is simple, the narrative reading like a stream of consciousness from the perspective of a man whose memories are fading. Every happy memory brings with it the melancholia of loss, as well as the desperation of holding on tightly because you never know when this one might also fade into oblivion. But not once does Backman present any of this with pity or shame. He does it with compassion. He shows these fading memories as what they are—simply memories that made a happy, fulfilling life. The life is not perfect, it has its share of regrets, mistakes, and more. But, that’s just how all humans are.

Ironically, I’ve forgotten the main character’s name. What I do remember is feeling a sense of dread for my own ageing, and a sense of relief that made me feel like it will all be okay. I can’t really say much about this novella because the best way to experience this story is to head in without any expectations, and let Backman’s fluid writing–and Alice Menzies’ translation—take you on a moving journey of reflection.

The illustrations in the hardcover edition—I guess they’re available in all editions—are a sweet little touch to the story.

What I didn’t like:

Once again, there wasn’t anything in particular that I didn’t like about this novella. But, by the end of it, I wasn’t left feeling as moved, enlightened, or fulfilled as “A Man Called Ove” or “Anxious People”. I guess I expected a little more exploration of the harder truths of fading memory. I was a very tad bit disappointed that we didn’t engage with the reality of the old man’s situation as much as we did with his inner dialogue.

Still, I’d recommend this book to people because of how moving and emotionally powerful it is.

Conclusion:

And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer And Longer is a short and sweet tale of ageing and fading memories. This was the perfect bookend to my 2024 reading journey!

My Rating: ★★★★