FTC Disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I checked out the audiobook from my library through Overdrive.

A few months ago, it had been weeks since I've finished a book. It was probably the longest I've ever gone without finishing a book; it's certainly the longest I remember. Yet on my most recent work trip, I found myself with an hour left of my flight and no more work to do. Luckily, I had downloaded "And Every Morning the Road Home Gets Longer" by Frederick Backman on audio from my library before my trip.

Knowing that I'm a fan of Backman, his publisher had originally sent me an e-ARC of this novella prior to its publication. Unfortunately, I wasn't up for a contemplative work at the time, and failed to make time for it in time for a publication day review. But it turned out to be the perfect reading experience for my unexpected hour of free time.

This is a novella "about missing someone who is still here," to quote Backman himself. It's about the relationships between grandfathers and grandsons, and fathers and sons, and how these relationships are remembered at the end of a life. Backman opens with an introduction explaining that this is a personal piece of writing through which he worked out his own feelings as he wrote. Yet this portrayal of Alzheimer's will ring true to those who have been through this experience with a loved one.

This charming novella feels different from Backman's other works. It lacks the quirky humor of his novels but retains the ability to pull on your heart strings. I found myself crying as the plane entered its initial descent to our final destination. It's charming and heartfelt, and a worthwhile read.

Verdict: Affirmed, whether you're a fan of Backman or not, this is an endearing departure from his novels.

"And Every Morning the Road Home Gets Longer and Longer" by Fredrik Backman, published November 1, 2016 by Atria Books. Audio narration by David Morse, published November 1, 2016 by Simon & Schuster Audio.

Both heartbreaking and heart lifting, this is a sad story, but will also fill you with love.
Its the story of memory loss, but also of enduring family memories that live on through those who are left behind. This novella will be all the more meaningful if you have experienced a loved one who is unable to remember, grasping to find the "way home" and finding it getting longer and longer each day. A lovely story and you will feel the author's grief on each page.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: A sad story about memories and letting go.

BRIEF REVIEW: A grandfather, son and grandson grapple with the fact that although Grandpa is still doing fairly well physically, his mind and memories are failing him. Grandpa has always had a close relationship with grandson, Noah, it was time treasured by both parties and Grandpa thought of it as a second chance since he wasn't always available when his own son Ted, (Noah's father) was a young boy. The grandfather reflects on his relationship with his wife who has passed on, things about his son but mostly about treasured times he has spent with his grandson Noah. Grandpa's thoughts seemed to ramble and, although the story is brief, I often found myself wondering whose POV was at play and where the conversations were taking place - except maybe at the very end. This is a tender, reflective story which I don't recommend that you read if you are feeling down or if you have a loved one struggling with memory issues.

Fredrik Backman is an author I always seem to enjoy but, this novella didn't work all that well for me. The audio was read by David Morse who did a fine job. It was more that the overall story was a bit of a miss for me even though I loved the special relationship that Noah and his grandfather enjoyed.

Confession time: I first read an advance copy of this novella in 2016... and then never reviewed it. What a total fail! To give myself a pass, I will acknowledge that I had a baby that year and had not rediscovered my blogging rhythm. With a 2021 goal of catching up on my NetGalley queue, I checked this out from the library to re-read it. This is an emotional short story about a man, his son, and his grandson – and how they are all reacting to the man's failing memory. It was in Backman's typical style and voice, though I do think you can tell this story was more personal to him and not really written with the intent to publish it. It was very sad, but the length kept it from being too heavy. I So Enjoyed It.

Thank you so much for approving me for this title. I adore Backman's books. My dad died right as I tried to read this and it just wasn't going to happen for me. I will look forward to trying to read it again when I'm not so emotionally complicated.

Fredrik Backman is simply fantastic. I have not yet read a word by him that I did not love, and this was no exception.

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.

I have loved every book I've read by Fredrik Backman. This one was especially sweet. Keep writing them like this Mr. Backman. With wonderful, warm, realistic characters.

As with all of Backman's books he has captured my heart again with another story that hits home. Reminds me of my own grandmother's struggle with her memory and aging.
I loved this book and as always, anticipate Backman's next novel.

RATING: 4 STARS
​(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY​)​
(Review Not on Blog)

A sweet sad and unfortunately, a story I can relate to. My grandmother died 5 years ago, but she was gone 3-4 years before that. Reading this story now, I am able to appreciate the time I spent with her before and after dementia.

I'm not crying. You are! This is my first time reading anything by Backman and it will not be my last. If you have ever experienced watching someone you love slip away, then you can't help but feel all of the feelings as you read this novella. I highly, highly recommend it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Atria Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Fredrik Backman has a way of writing books about unique and ordinary people who despite their flaws and quirks are extremely lovable and relatable. This book tells the story of an elderly man who is losing his memories and is afraid of forgetting all the good (his grandson) and bad (the loss of his beloved wife and his regret over not spending enough time with his son) in his life. As each member of the family comes to terms with saying goodbye, we see that nothing should be left unsaid. The themes of this book, love, loss, family and remembrance will resonate with anyone who reads this book.

I almost feel bad reviewing Mr. Backman's work, because I don't think anything with ever live up to A Man Called Ove for me. But I can say, that I enjoyed this novella for what it was, a story that was not really meant to be heard about a very personal family struggle. I have never had anyone close to me diagnosed with the illness the main character is fighting, but it really tugged at my heart. I felt drawn in and invested in such a short amount of time. I ached for him and his family during moments of fog and celebrated when memories were remembered and cherished. At this point, Fredrik Backman is an author that I will automatically read whatever he writes. He tells a simple story, in a beautiful way, which in often rare.

Heartbreaking and beautiful, this is an homage to slowly disintegrating memories and those we share them with.

Ever since I read his Britt-Marie Was Here, I've been a fan of Fredrik Backman's writing. In And Every Morning the Way home Gets Longer and Longer, Backman has penned an emotional, moving story about goodbyes. 
It is primarily about the relationship between an old man suffering from Alzheimers/demetia, his son, Ted and his grandson, Noah. A lot of the story takes place in a town square in the man's head, where all his precious memories are stored, and which is getting smaller everyday. As he struggles to explain his illness to his grandson, he takes a walk through his life--his first meeting with his wife, their first house, his relationship with his son, Ted, etc. 

Backman writes emotions beautifully, and here his words make the emotions three-dimensional. The old man's grief and confusion are palpable, as is the grandson's love for his grandfather. I had a lump in my throat when I was done!

No words do justice to this powerful little book about love, life and having to let go prematurely. Just  go read!

FTC disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for this honest review.

https://thereadingdesk.wordpress.com/2017/07/27/mini-reviews-and-every-morning-the-way-home-gets-longer-and-longer-the-private-life-of-mrs-sharma/

Beautifully written, amazingly sensitive book. For anyone who might be dealing with Alzheimers.

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."

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read and review.

This book took me months to finish. MONTHS. I started in November and didn’t finish until February. Not because it was horrible, or slow, or a difficult read… but because my heart could barely take it. Any given page in this book had my heart trembling in my throat, drowning with emotion. After any 3-5 pages I would be a sobbing mess, having to set the book down again for a couple weeks while my heart healed. Like all Backman books, this one is happy, sad, beautiful, heartbreaking. But this book is even more of an emotional ride than the others. Perhaps because the main character isn’t as overtly flawed as Backman’s others. Ove had people split down the middle, with people either hating the ornery old man or seeing beyond his outward prickliness. The Grandpa in this story admits he was not the perfect father, but his love for his wife and grandson shine through so magnificently that there is no doubt of the amazing heart within this man.

And because of all the love he contains in his heart, the rest of the story is just too heartbreaking to take. Like all Backman books, the sadness is surrounded by happiness, because Grandpa is surrounded by as much love as he contains in his heart. I mean, it is pointless trying to convey in this review how powerful this book is. Why am I even trying. This book is FIVE STARS. The book is beautiful, it is powerful, it is heartwrenching, it is a must read.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for a fair review. My fair review includes the caveat that I’m sorry it took so long to get a review entered, but the novella is so painfully beautiful that I just couldn’t get all the way through until now.

A sweet , wise, and moving tale of an elderly man in decline from dementia saying goodbye to his young grandson Noah and helping him come to terms with the tragic process. In return Noah finds ways to help his grandfather find simple joy in their playful togetherness and hold on to his dignity despite progressive lapses in memory. It taught me how even though one’s self can become “like a fading star,” your personality can still shine through in the trusted realm of family love

The author’s introduction notes how he wrote the novella as a personal way to work out his own challenges in “missing someone who is still here” and as a way “to explain it all to my children.”

The special friendship between the two is marvelous revealed through Backmann’s usual X-ray vision into the human heart. Noah concludes that most adults asking about his day at school mainly want to know if he behaved, but his Grandpa’s concern with the same question is whether the “school behaved.” This is the man who “taught him to fish and the never be afraid of big thoughts and to look at the night sky and understand that it’s made of numbers.” It was incredibly uplifting to see Noah become a hero and surmount fears of aging and decline that paralyze most adults.

This book was provided for review by the publisher through the Netgalley program.