Нещата, които синът ми трябва да знае за света

by Fredrik Backman, Любомир Гиздов (translator)

05:30 сутринта е, ти се взираш в мен и едно ми е ясно.
Най. Малкото. Движение.
И всичко свършва.

Това е цялата работа. Искаме да сте по-добри от нас. Защото, ако децата ни не станат по-добри от нас, какъв изобщо е смисълът? Искаме да сте по-добри, по-умни, по-скромни, по-щедри и по-неегоистични от нас. Искаме да ви осигурим най-добрите условия, които можем. Затова пробваме различни методи на приспиване, ходим на семинари, купуваме ергономични корита и притискаме продавачите на детски седалки към стената и крещим: „Най-безопасната! Искам НАЙ-БЕЗОПАСНАТА, разбирашлиме!?“. (Не че аз съм го правил, не бива да вярваш на всичко, което ти казва майка ти.)

Ти и майка ти сте най-голямото ми приключение. Всеки ден се изумявам, че все още ми позволявате да бъда част от него.

И последно. Когато ти досаждам. Когато те поставям в неудобно положение. Когато съм несправедлив. Искам тогава да си спомняш за деня, когато отказа да ми кажеш къде си скрил ключа от колата.

И помни, че всъщност ти започна.

Да отглеждаш деца, в много отношения е като да караш трактор в стъкларски магазин. С гипсирани крака. И свалена пред очите шапка. Пиян.

Но въпреки това смятаме да опитаме. Защото искаме да бъдем възможно най-добрите родители. Това е всичко.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Parenting, Audiobook, Memoir, Essays, Biography

188 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2012

About the author

Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove (soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, as well as two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime. Things My Son Needs to Know About the World, his first work of non-fiction, will be released in the US in May 2019. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @backmansk.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often think about the personal lives of authors of the books I read . Once in a while I get a glimpse of something from their life if they mention it in a note usually related to why they wrote that particular book. I’ve read a couple of memoirs by writers, but mostly they remain separate from their work for me. I try not to think about Fitzgerald or Hemingway after reading their biographies, choosing to focus on their books that I love . With Fredrik Backman, this will be different.

I have been a fan of Fredrik Backman from when I read A Man Called Ove. Since then I have read every novel, novella or short story that he has written and that has been available in the US. One of the things I love most about Beartown and Us Against You is how he turns seemingly simple phrases and perfectly depicts unconditional parental love . This book is a perfect illustration of why he can so beautifully convey that in his fiction. This collection of essays with advice to his son about what it was like to become a father for the first time, the love, the care, the mistakes, things he wanted to impart to his son about “stuff”, about life, the everyday things like poop diapers as well as the big picture, but mostly about love. It actually reads like love letters to his son and also to his wife. It’s full of wisdom and humor, the reality of being a first time parent and it is full of so much love. I’ll read whatever he publishes, but I will have a hard time separating the man from his art and that’s fine with me. I love how he conveys who he is in the lovely book.

I read this practically in one sitting. It’s that addictive. I highly recommend it to Backman fans and anyone else who might be looking for a fantastic read that will definitely make you laugh, probably make you cry and give you some things to think about, both large and small in your own life.


I received this ARC was provided by Atria via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman is a 2019 Atria publication.

I knew I loved this author for a reason!

Fredrik Backman stole my heart with “A Man Called Ove” but he has been keeping it in safekeeping ever since.

This is Backman’s first non-fiction book, a series of essays about parenting that nearly anyone who has children, no matter what age they are now, or cared for them, can relate to. His musings are laugh out loud funny, chronicling the insanity an infant can spawn on two reasonably well- adjusted adults. The mistakes, the fears, the special moments between father and son, and the future hopes and dreams for his child are all beautifully captured in this book.

The snicker bar recipe won me over early in the book because Backman apparently feels the same way I do about a certain over rated actor. (Still chuckling and feeling so totally vindicated)

All gushing aside, though, there were times when I thought the author rambled, almost illogically, about things that didn’t seem to have much of a connection to parenthood. It only happened once or twice, but when it did, all I could do was shake my head and move on the next essay.

Other than that, I can’t tell you how much fun this book is. Not only that, it is so poignant and bittersweet, just like Backman’s fictional work.

While this book may hit home for newer parents in a more ‘in the moment’ way, even if your children are older, or like me, grown and carving out their own lives, this book will bring back a lot of memories. You may develop a lump in your throat or a swipe a tear from your eye, because Backman reminds all of us to take pleasure in all the small treasures of life, to focus on what is truly important, to admit our human frailties, and most importantly, to see the humor in it all.

If you love Backman – you don't want to miss this one!

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Fredrik Backman has managed to nestle his writing deep into the souls of parents everywhere with his latest book, Things My Son Needs to Know about the World. He manages to cover a lifetime's worth of wisdom in under 200 pages, but that's just icing on the cake. I managed to devour this tiny powerhouse in a single sitting today, and I can say that in that time, I laughed, I cried, and I received all of the warm fuzzies. Even if you're a parent who doesn't have a son, this is a delightful, emotional, and excellent use of your time.


*Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars* (rounded down)

Fredrik Backman - throughout every single essay in “Things My Son Needs to Know About the World” I felt your immense love for your son (and of course your wife!). It bursts forth like the air escaping out of a balloon: whoosh!! It’s mad, crazy, fabulous love!

Reading this, I laughed hysterically at times, where I felt my whole body convulsing with laughter and then there were moments, where I felt my eyes fill and I felt tears at the back of my throat and I knew that you had done it yet again.

My personal favorites:

“What you need to know about my expectations of you.” (Laugh, laugh, cry cry!). Utterly brilliant. Superpowers, right on! Professor X would be proud!

“Marked for Life” - So hysterically funny that I belted out laughing in public and had to put my head down to hide my face. Milk puke.. yeah, that’s good stuff right there.

“I’ll be wrong no matter what you do. That’s how it feels.” Good one. Enough Said.

“I’m not saying it’s the only reason I love her.” Pure perfection.

“Why it’s not worth arguing with your mother.” Lesson learned! Bawahaa!!!

“What you need to know about love.” Love. Just lots and lots of it.

As if I didn’t already love Fredrik Backman - “Things My Son Needs to Know About the World” - made me love him more. I sit here with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. Fredrik Backman, you bring feelings out of me every single time. Love it! I highly recommend this for those of you who are looking to feel “something” - whether you have kids or not.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Atria and to Fredrik Backman for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 3.3.19.
*Will be published on Twitter on release date. Excerpt to be published on Instagram.

[Regina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen, I love some good poop jokes as much as the next guy… unless the next guy is Fredrik Backman.

In his nonfiction ode to new fatherhood, he’s got an entire essay devoted to them. And that makes sense. Babies do churn out a lot of poop.

Now you’re probably thinking, “But Regina, you’re not a father. Why would you read this in the first place?” Because somebody on the internet told me I should, obviously. Just dangle a “funniest book I’ve ever read” carrot in front of me and I’ll bite.

Is it the funniest book I’VE ever read? Nah. Maybe that’s because not only am I not a father, but I don’t have a son??? Nor AM I a son??? But I do live in “the world,” and I do like to know things about it.

What I know now is that Fredrik Backman loves his wife and hates Ikea. Cool. I haven’t met his wife but have been to Ikea, so I know we’re at least 50% on the same page here.

What I also know is that humor is subjective and situational. Maybe my funny bone was hard to tickle when I read this because I was wearing a sweater instead of a t-shirt. I’d still recommend it to people looking for a lighthearted short book, but I’d tell them to roll up their sleeves first. Not just so the laughs can get in, but also so they’re prepared to deal with all the poop.

3.5 stars

Blog: www.confettibookshelf.com
IG: @confettibookshelf

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was the small kid in school. Everyone was taller.
My mom use to tell me, “great things come in small packages”.
It’s true.....”Things My Son Needs To Know About The World”.....is a great small package.
It’s only around 200 pages. Some pages only have a few words.
A father loves his son. ....is the most important message in this great little package.
“Because we love you.
That’s all this is about. We want you to be better than us. Because if our kids don’t grow up to be better than us, then what’s the point of all this?”

Fredrik wants to tell his son to be kind. He hopes he’s not the kid on the playground off in a corner, sitting by himself, because he did the hitting. He also hopes he isn’t the kid sitting alone in the corner having been hit.

Fredrik wants to tell his son that he can be whatever he wants to be,
“but that’s nowhere near as important as knowing that you can be exactly who you are”.

Dad also hopes his son will learn important things in life - that he himself struggles to know....like inequality.
“I am A white, heterosexual western European man with an education and a job. There’s not a single organism in the entire universe who knows LESS about inequality than me”.
“But I am trying to learn. And I hope you’ll know more than I did”.

Fredrik tells his son about good and evil, about belonging and being part of a team, about forgiveness, about holding hands, compromise, about the ordinary mundane things in daily life, about humor, about falling in love, about soccer.....etc.
Including NOTES TO SELF..... (like the good father that Fredrik is...he talks to himself - making mental notes of what he has learned).....

Fredrik loves his wife....( he especially values her need for sleeping through the night)...
.....Fredrik loves a good sandwich, snacks, practical jokes,
Fredrik wants to be a good father....
“We actually haven’t a clue what we’re doing—having kids is in many ways like trying to drive a bulldozer through a China shop”.

“The parenthood thing didn’t come with instructions, that’s all I’m saying”.

This slim book of essays is charming and wise.....
A wonderful small package for his son.

Fredrik Backman, lives in Sweden with his wife and two children.
He is a columnist, blogger, and novelist who wrote:
A Man Called Ove
My grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry,
Britt-Marie was Here
Beartown.....
Us Against You
The Deal of A lifetime
And every morning the way home gets longer and longer.....

I’ve read all of the above books......
.....a definite fan. I cherish being a part of ‘Backman-reading-team’. I cherish my friends and the community whom - many of us share together - a love for Fredrik Backman’s work.
His books are filled with warmth. His writing is unique. His books are gifts to our hearts.
Fredrik adds humor - to camouflage horror. He allows sadness .... he shares about pain, love, loss, loyalty, dreams, and normal day life.
We feel close to his characters in his stories....

Thank you Fredrik for sharing your talent with the world.....letting us feel a little closer to you... a father who loves his son and wants to tell him stuff.

Many thanks to Atria Books, Netgalley, and Fredrik Backman

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this author. Tried to imagine having these conversations with my daughters, and for the most part, it worked. As always, makes me laugh and shed a few tears with his heartfelt approach. Will read any and everything this man writes.

[Larry H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over the last few years, Fredrik Backman has been one of my favorite authors, with Beartown, Us Against You, A Man Called Ove and And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer capturing my heart and winding up on my year-end lists of the best books I've read. So when I had the chance to get my hands on his new collection of essays, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World , I jumped on it, despite not having a child.

Once again, Backman's writing is imbued with tremendous heart, emotion, and utter charm. While he's certainly proven his ability to make his fiction utterly compelling from the very first page, this book proves his talent isn't exclusive to fiction, but you can see why his writing has made fans of so many of us.

In Things My Son Needs to Know About the World , Backman gives advice to his young son, about everything from love to finding the right friends to surviving a trip to IKEA. The essays are punctuated with humorous anecdotes of Backman's interactions with his wife, episodes where his parenting skills (and even his thinking skills) are called into question, and declarations of love for his wife and child.

"We want you to be better than us. Because if our kids don't grow up to be better than us, then what's the point of all this? We want you to be kinder, smarter, more humble, more generous, and more selfless than we are. We want to give you the very best circumstances we can possibly provide. So we follow sleeping methods and go to seminars and buy ergonomic bathtubs and push car seat salesmen up against the wall and shout 'the safest! I want THE SAFEST doyouhearme?!'"

These lessons are beautifully universal and have so much meaning. There's also a tremendous amount of humor in the book, humor derived from situations Backman has experienced, like getting a sofa for your first apartment. ("...buy your first sofa secondhand. Not from IKEA. Buy one of those brown leather monstrosities as big as the Death Star...Buy the sofa you want, not the sofa you need...Because sooner or later you'll fall in love. And from then on, every sofa you own will be one long compromise.") He provides advice to live by, all saturated in the immense love he has for his son.

I don't have children, but I found this book tremendously appealing anyway. While some of the essays are more traditionally male-centric, there is a lot of the book that would apply to daughters as well. Some chapters are funnier than others, there's a lot of talk about poop and other messes, and sometimes the essays meander a bit before circling back to the core point, but I enjoyed this.

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World will make a sweet Father's Day gift, particularly for a reasonably new father, although "older" fathers will probably enjoy this, too. I think more than one guy will wipe away a tear—perhaps only in private. I'm looking forward to Backman's next novel (perhaps another Beartown book?), but this is enough to tide me over until then.

NetGalley and Atria Books provided me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

This book will be published May 7, 2019.

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Check out my list of the best books I read in 2018 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2018.html.

You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this book did not impress me much.
I loved the first few pages. And I absolutely loved the last chapter on love.
In between, I really couldn't stay on track because of the all the titbits which it seemed were unnecessary and written just to stretch the writing.

Each chapter would start with a topic but I felt like the topic was left behind and the author got caught up with so many things that he actually forgot what he was writing about, or just to be on point.

The author seemed really distracted and seemed to be trying too hard to be funny, or to evoke emotions from the readers that it actually failed in doing so.

The best parts were the first and the last chapters and the part where he described in detail about The Undertaker and Kane in WWE matches.

Again, if you don't know about the particular shows or the various references on various topics or events made in this book, I really doubt you would be able to enjoy this book.
Funny at times.
It made me cry while reading the last chapter.
Other than that, there's nothing much.
I really hope this would have been a better father-to-son book.

*top 10 disappointing reads of 2019*

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding and reading a book that makes one laugh out loud, is to me priceless. Anyone who has parented, knows how easy it is to get overwhelmed. Even if you have watched someone close to you become a parent you will be able to relate to many of the incidents in this book. Some go on a little to long, some are sharp, ironic conversations, but the majority are just too funny.

When I read a book that shows some insight into the life of a favored author, I often find myself wanting a little more information. Such as, Does his wife find him as funny as I did here? Would his grocery lists also include humor? I'm asking because by this point I think I would read anything this man wrote. I sure hope he keeps it up, not just the ending ones, but the heartfelt ones as well.

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a hilarious and tender collection of short pieces from my favorite contemporary writer, addressed to his son. It includes tales of diaper fails and other screw-ups. Pieces include "I think of you a bit like I think of the T. Rex in Jurassic Park" and "Baby clapping ironically." He writes of how he met his wife (readers of "A Man Called Ove" will recognize some of her traits in Parvenah) and wry little bits about their marriage. He speaks to his son of sports and video games, friendship and food. The man loves food. When Backman describes his favorite sandwich it reads like a love letter to the sandwich. I was so curious about this strange sandwich I went to his Instagram to see it, and there are several pictures of the sandwich. There isn't a single recognizable photo of his family because Backman fiercely protects their privacy. Behind all the talk of his incompetence as a dad, it's obvious he's a wonderful husband and father. Overall the book is funny, with feels. It's a perfect gift for new parents and old ones. But you don't have to be a parent or even a fan of Backman's novels to love this little gem.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man! Backman is bitter and cynical about being a Dad! While he has put a lot of humor in this memoir for his infant son to read later, he is often frustrated, annoyed, messing things up, and just being a general dumpster fire of a Dad. To all this I ask . . . how is it possible that his experience raising kids is so much like mine?!

This is a very “Dad humor” book for Dads who appreciate a self-deprecating approach to parenthood. While we often feel like we cannot possibly be any worse at doing our Dad duties, we also know that we are pretty awesome no matter how much we screw up or frustrate our wives.

This is a very quick read. Possibly a good gift for a new Dad on his first Father’s Day or birthday after becoming a Dad. It is nothing like his other works – except maybe a little bit of Ove’s bitterness. So, don’t come here looking for Bear Town! Just enjoy the silliness (and, don’t try it if you don’t like silliness).

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars.

Laughs....lots of laughs, words of wisdom....oh so true observations....and mishaps, can't forget the mishaps!

THINGS MY SON NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE WORLD brought back so many, now laughable, memories from when my son was a baby and toddler. Although times have greatly changed, some things just don't....like poop!

Backman begins with poop....lots of poop....all different kinds and colors of poop. When will it arrive, always at inopportune times, of course, (will never forget the explosion my son served up at his baptism) and why doesn't it arrive. Hillarious!

And, besides the discussion of poop, and the crap you have to buy for poop (like a Jabba the Hut potty, lol) here are a few other favorite Backman moments of mine in this work of non-fiction.

****Omgosh, the Jurassic Park T. Rex stare down event. I can just picture it and am still cracking up about it!

****The spit incident of how not to clean a child's face!

****The, if I had a tattoo....perfect!

****The elevator/stroller mishap....yikes! That one is scary!

Anyway, I could go on and on with the many trips to IKEA and furniture assembly....more stuff you have to buy, the answer to why we have wars (that's a good one) and oh yeah, the strength of a woman.

Release date not until May 7, 2019 so I know I'm not suppose to quote from this novel, but oh how I wanted to.

***Arc provided by Atria Books in exchange for honest review***

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Frederik Backman fan and love his fiction. This collection of essays, written to his 18 month old son, is his first nonfiction. Like his fiction, these essays are sweet. They’re cute. They bring a smile, not necessarily a belly laugh. Although the little mini-chapters, the just sayin’ ones? They’re spot on hysterical as he admits this parenthood thing isn’t nearly as easy as it looks. And no matter the point he’s making, what shines through it all is the love he has for both his wife and son.

The book is a super fast read. It’s the perfect palate cleanser in between heavy fiction. He hits the nail on the head more often that not. My favorite chapter was on how to be a man. The difference between the generations was priceless.

I can’t say I loved this book but it was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.

My thanks to netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.

[sAmAnE · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب جمع و جور و جالبی بود که بکمن برای پسرش نوشته ... نوشته‌هایی که شامل خاطراتی از زندگی خودشه و بخش‌هایی شامل نصایح و توصیه‌هاست. در کل جالب بود. کم حجم و روون.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, in part, a memoir of Backman’s own life, a reflection on love in the romantic sense, the marital sense, and the parent-child / father-son sense; a reflection on life, and all the small (and large) life lessons we need to learn along the path from infant to adulthood; and on religion in a somewhat broad and sweeping sense that allows for this being a choice one eventually makes, one way or the other. Overall, it is a life manual - love letter for and to his son, sharing his insight into these important lessons in life, love, and ultimately happiness.

Some of these life lessons are about his experiences as a father, the amount of poop involved in raising a child, others about how to survive the sleep deprivation months / years as a parent, all the how-not-to’s of fatherhood, of life in general, of love. Also, how to make something he calls the “L’Oréal Sausage” because, as he says, “I’m worth it.”

There is more practical advice, if you will, practical depending on your needs and frustrations. How to navigate life – from the mundane parts of life, like motion-sensitive bathroom lights and changing tables to IKEA, Soccer, how to beat Monkey Island 3, how to Start a Band, Love, Finding you Team, and perhaps most of all - the need to be kind whenever possible. Life Lessons for a Kinder, Happier Life.

Written with love, this was funny and touching, heartwarming, and back to funny again. Delightfully charming, witty and wise. Another lovely gift for us from Fredrik Backman, he shares his wisdom about navigating this life.



Pub Date: 07 May 2019

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Atria Books

[Shaghayegh · Rating 5 out of 5]

از لحظه‌ای که بازش کردم تا لحظه‌ای که تمام شد نتونستم این کتابو زمین بذارم.
باهاش خندیدم، بغض کردم و یه کوچولو اشک ریختم.

[رزی - Woman, Life, Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

خییلی قشنگ و بانمک بود. شکم‌پروانه‌ای و صورت‌اکلیلی و ذوق‌دندونی و چشم‌رنگین‌کمونی شدم. کاش پسر بکمن بودم به خدا.
البته از این هم خوشحالم که بعد از مدت‌ها تونستم کتاب بخونم.
وای خیلی بامزه بود نیحیحیسهحیثحیخشحسیییی



پدربزرگت آخر هفته اینجا آمد و به درِ تمام کا��ینت‌های آشپزخانه قفل بچه زد.
در نتیجه، باز کردن در کابینت‌ها برای تو پانزده ثانیه طول می‌کشد و برای من نیم‌ساعت.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, emotional, and incredibly heartfelt. This collection of personal essays is a winner. It consists of a father's advice to his infant son about things both random and sincere.

The chapters are themed with the following topics:

-What you need to know about motion sensitive bathroom lights
-What you need to know about IKEA
-What you need to know about soccer
-What you need to know about stuff
-What you need to know about being a man
-What you need to know about God and airports
-What you need to know about what happened to the singing plastic giraffe
-What you need to know about why that Felicia girl's mother hates me
-What you need to know about good and evil
-What you need to know about starting a band
-What you need to know about love
-What you need to know about when I hold your hand a little too tight

I absolutely loved it.

My favorite quote:
"I can tell you I love you, but I don't know if you understand what that really means. Because I don't love you the way I love bacon or Manchester United or the second season of The West Wing. This isn't that kind of love. I mean that I love you as though you were a runaway freight train thundering through every cell in my body. I mean that this love didn't grow on me, it knocked me over. It's an ongoing state of emergency."

Fathers, it's okay to tell your son(s), in this kind of detail, that you love him. He needs to hear it.

[Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this author, Ove was one of my all-time favorite books (in general, and by Backman, in particular). My kids have long grown up and I could relate to a generation more than his – how I was raised, how I raised mine, and how mine are raising theirs! The anecdotes had me laughing out loud, on my evening and morning walks (two to be precise – this is a very short book). At about seven minutes into the book, in a very long execration about poop (read that execration and not excretion!), he described “the first poop”, the black poop, the poop that occurs in the first 24 hours after birth. OMG did that take me back, to the day we returned home from the hospital with our firstborn. I opened that diaper and burst into hysterics, simultaneously laughing and crying. We had no idea what to do about that black glob of tar stuck to his ?#*!...We finally just wrapped him back up in his diaper, and huddled together on the couch, waiting for my supermom to come to the rescue!

I’m sure I must have appeared a loon to some of the kids flying past on their electric scooters or the drivers screeching to a halt as they waited patiently for me to finish crossing the intersection leering at the crazy laughing lady wiping tears from her eyes. The narrator was wonderful, but it was my inner voice I kept hearing described, in precise detail, many of my husbands’ foibles and faux pas (and admittedly, mine). The description of how Backman helped out his exhausted wife with the cleaning, by spending hours in a painstakingly thorough scouring of the bathroom including polishing the faucet with toothpaste (while she in the meantime did every other room in the house) had me in stitches, as did nearly everything else in the book .

There was at least some truth in every word he wrote.

[Tucker Almengor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many thanks to Atria Books for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review

A lot of people say that the bible is God’s love letter to us (which is great because there is nothing more love letter-ey than rape, murder, and mass genocide) and likewise, Things My Son Needs to Know About The World is Fredrik’s love letter to his son. A love letter that, in my opinion, shouldn’t have and didn’t need to be published.

Firstly, it felt like I was reading a diary or email thread. Throughout the entire book, it felt like Fredrik was talking to his son and his son only which made the book overall uncomfortable and unenjoyable.

Second, this was poorly written. I can’t speak to Fredrik Backman’s overall talent as a writer. (Though it seems to be pretty good as she is super successful) but this book specifically was bad. It was rambly, boring and drawn out. On its own, this book is short. It felt like watered-down juice. To make a drink look bigger, one adds water to it. Yes, it’s fuller (more full?) but it tastes worse. Had Backman just said what he needed to say and left, it could have been better?

Negative aside, there were some admittely funny parts. I really enjoyed his sense of humor. It was the only thing going for him, though. All in all, this book was bad. But I won’t let that reflect on any of his other books. I am open and willing to try him again.

Bottom Line:
2.5 Stars
Age Rating [ PG ]
Content Screening: Education Value: [NONE] ~ Possitive Message: [Love conquers sleepless nights and dirty diapers] ~ Violence: [NONE] ~ Sex: [NONE] ~ Drinking/Drugs: [NONE]
TW: [NONE]
Reps: [NONE]
Cover: 3/5 ~ Characters ~ Plot ~ Audio: ⅘
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: May 7th, 2019
Genre: Memoir/Essays

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[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fredrik Backman rarely disappoints me in his fiction. It turns out he’s pretty good with non fiction too. This short book is a funny, self-deprecating and loving letter to his two year old son. It is an apology of sorts for Backman’s character flaws and for loving his son too much. It is advice on a panoply of useless and not so useless life issues and skills. The bottom line is be kind to other people, don’t be an arse, adore your mother, forgive your father for his flaws but understand how much he loves you and, if possible, avoid peeing in the ball room at Ikea. Light but lovely. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Taufiq Yves · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thin book, finished in 1 sitting.

I was a bit hesitant about writing a review for this book to be honest. It doesn't contain any profound truths or shocking plot twists. It's a light read that most likely elicits a gentle smile, a nod, and a thought of "Yes, that's exactly it." But Fredrik Backman does an excellent job of discussing masculinity, bands, good and evil, and love. He maintains his consistent writing style: sincere, humorous, and warm.

I felt bad not writing something about it because Backman is a great writer and one of my favorites. He's very good at writing about people, detailing scenes vividly. He doesn't rely heavily on adjectives to describe his characters; instead, he shows you, presenting their words, actions, and little quirks, allowing you to form your own understanding. If Backman was a film director, his camera would undoubtedly capture those easily overlooked details, those small actions after a turn that instantly reveal a character's personality.

He's also great at writing dialogue. I particularly remember a simple "huh" from Britt-Marie Was Here that conveyed at least four emotions: surprise, doubt, resignation, and dejection. The crazy grandma's catchphrases in My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry have become widely circulated online. The Deal of Lifetime, in just under 100 pages, manages to provoke deep thought about the meaning of time.

Returning to this book, Things My Son Needs To Know About The World, Backman shares many of his own experiences, with characters, stories, and emotions. Although it was initially written for his son, the target audience is definitely not limited to children.

First, young parents will undoubtedly resonate with this book. The days of being surrounded by baby bottles and diapers still feel vivid. The long nights of sleep deprivation, the confusion caused by endless parenting advice, the endless purchases of baby products, and the constant anxiety of feeling like you're not doing enough - these are all experiences that many new parents go through, and Backman has captured them all. But in typical Backman fashion, he doesn't approach these experiences with complaints, but rather with a sense of humor.

There are so many unwritten rules for parents: be a good role model, don't swear, and when kindergarten teachers talk about "nature's candy," they mean raisins, not bacon. And when other parents confidently tell you that "studies have shown that television is harmful to young children," they actually mean all television programs! Not just bad TV shows, but all of them. Even Game of Thrones!

Being a parent is hard, raising children is even harder, but it's still full of joy and happiness.

Secondly, this book is certainly suitable for children. Don't worry, Backman doesn't preach. Rather than writing a "guide to avoiding life's pitfalls," he writes "truths," "common sense," and the basic knowledge a child needs to grow into a good person.

Men and women are not inherently strong or weak, they just have different roles. Some women are exceptionally capable and do what men usually do, and some men, due to their personalities, do what women usually do. Regardless of gender, if you make a mistake, listen patiently and humbly admit it. It should be that simple.

If you think about it this way, the right and wrong of many things becomes clear. The truth doesn't need so much effort to prove itself.

This book is also suitable for young people who feel confused about the world.

We are constantly bombarded by the consumerist culture, with endless advertisements, new features, and late nights spent watching online shopping livestreams, as if we can't live without buying something new today. But do we really need so many things? As a new father, Backman has gone through the experience of being overwhelmed by an entire wall of different brands and models of diapers, and could only exclaim loudly, "You have no idea how many useless things are made for children in this world." "Products should not be more important than people."

When explaining to his child how the world really works, Backman will naturally encounter countless strange questions and "whys" from his child. At this point, Backman will unleash his ultimate weapon: the answer to "why" is "because humans are really stupid."

While it's a joke, I think it's often true.

That's pretty much what this book is about. Major love!

3.8 / 5 stars

My other reviews of Backman's Work:
A Man Called Ove
Anxious People
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Beartown
Us Against You
The Winners
Things My Son Needs to Know About the World
Britt-Marie Was Here

[Bianca thinksGRsucksnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review disappeared, as I was trying to change it to a different edition, so here I go again.

I didn't expect Backman's latest to be this enjoyable, this good, which is ridiculous given that I loved each and every one of Backman's books, but there you have it ... surprised. I read it in one seating, I can't remember the last time I did that.

It charmed me from the very first page and it kept me entertained with its humour, self-deprecation and observations on parenting, relationships and a few other tidbits.
Backman comes across as a very woke man, despite his obsession with football (nobody's perfect ;-)).

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World was perfect.

In other words, Backman strikes again.

[Nika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже мило, у стилі бакмана🥰❤️‍🩹 І є над чим посміятися і щемко моментами і дуже душевно ❤️‍🩹

[Alireza · Rating 4 out of 5]

بکمن خیلی آدم خل خوبیه
کلی یادداشت‌های بانمک برای پسرش نوشته که بیشترش در مورد گندهایی هست که خودش زده و تعریف از همسرش که تونسته با وجود همه این ضعف‌ها شرایط رو به خوبی مدیریت کنه.
اینکه بدونیم همسرش ایرانیه شاید حتی یه سری داستان‌ها رو بانمک‌تر میکنه.
من خودم با خیلی از یادداشت‌هاش ارتباط گرفتم و هم‌ذات پنداری کردم.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hands down my favorite author of our times.

When I think of Fredrik Backman I usually think of his two Beartown novels. There’s just nothing else that stayed with me for quite so long. Still is staying with me, actually. But those are seriously dark and emotionally draining novels that make you want to rage and scream. In a good way. I almost forgot that this guy can also make people look at you like you‘re Bill Murray on that cross trainer in Lost in Translation. In other words, he can make you look a little stupid in public, simply because you can’t stop laughing. This is one of those books.

Having kids is in many ways like trying to drive a bulldozer through a china shop. With broken legs. Wearing a back-to-front ski mask. While drunk.

This book is mainly about the challenges of parenthood. But it is no guidebook or something like that. It’s just Mr. Backman talking about some absurd situations that happen when you have young children. It’s also about things that happen when you are married, and you‘re a lot different from your wife, and frankly also a bit weird. When he’s not talking about parenthood or marriage, he’s talking about some everyday stuff, or about how times have changed since he was a kid. Or he’s just making jokes. He talks a lot about food as well. And I’m inclined to try one of his recipes, even though it will probably kill me. If not now, then certainly a few years down the line.

You don’t have to agree with everything he’s telling his son about life. I know I didn’t. And not everything he says is funny, not every joke hits the mark. But it’s hard not to love the guy.

Some anecdotes certainly work best if you are of similar age as the author. Which means you are either a young Gen Xer or an old Millenial, like myself and the author. In fact, I could recognize myself and also a couple of my friends in some of his stories. But I don’t think it is necessary to enjoy this book. The most fun, though, it will be for young parents, or people that have friends with young children, I’m quite certain.

Highly enjoyable, but a bit short. I listened to the German audio book, which runs about 3.5 hours. And they seriously are even selling an abridged version of that book as well. For whatever the fuck of a reason. Anyway, the audio comes highly recommended, because of the tongue in cheek humor. I’m pretty sure the same is true for the English translation.

I’m a bit confused about one thing, though. Which football club are you supporting, Mr. Backman? I really thought you were a Liverpool fan. But it seems you are supporting Man Utd. Eh, nobody’s perfect, huh?!

Never go to a game of anything and shout, “You’re playing like a woman!” at an athlete, as though that word were the definition of weakness. One day, you’ll be holding a woman’s hand as she gives birth and then that’ll make you feel more ashamed than you’ve ever felt about anything. Words matter. Be better.

Recommended by Lori

[lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

”you and your mother are my greatest, most wonderful, scariest adventure. i’m amazed every day that you’re still letting me follow along.”

i don’t have a son. i don’t even have a child. i’m not even a son. but this was great. i loved this. it made me smile, laugh and cry. it was sweet.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Sigh.*

I am one of Mr. Backman's biggest fans. Even those books of his that aren't my all-time favourites still hold a special place on my bookshelf and in my soul. So it's very difficult for me to say that I did not like this book very much.

I really adore the concept of this book: a collection of essays and other tidbits that Backman has written to his young son. Some of the anecdotes included within are certainly amusing. I really enjoyed the quick notes between the longer essays.

But I struggled with several of the essays. Some meandered on a bit long, and some got a bit too emphatic. At times I felt like I was stuck in an uncomfortable conversation with a friend of a friend of a friend where anything either of you says just gets taken the wrong way.

I'm fairly certain my lack of enjoyment in places had a lot more to do with the translation of this book than the original essays themselves. Some phrases were just very "off" or didn't really even make sense. I'm not sure if those were decisions made by the translator, or if this shorter material didn't lend itself as well to holistic translation as Backman's novels.

Regardless, I'm left trying to rate something that was, at best, hit and miss for me. And that's bitterly disappointing for me to say about one of my favourite authors.



I would probably give this 2 stars, but the brief bits between essays were very charming and redeemed a lot, so my final verdict is 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a DRC of this book.

[Malia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fredrik Backman is an auto-buy author for me. I'll read just about anything he writes and though Things My Son Needs to Know about the World book was a little different from his fiction, he brought to it similar wit and humanity, which made it an enjoyable, moving read. I liked that this wasn't a read guide, but rather a reflection on life and how being a father has changed that of the author. I wasn't sure what to think when this fiction author turned to a different genre, but he did so well and thought I am already looking forward to his next novel, I'd recommend this one to fans of the author, to parents, or anyone who enjoys a witty reflection on moving through life and doing the best we can.

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