Backman's ability to tell stories in pictures is one of his strongest merits, not least how he describes relationships . . . It's rare that one cares about so many characters in a book, and seldom that one comes so close to a whole community. But the leading role in Backman's novels about Beartown is, after all, played by the sports community. It's a love declaration of the highest order (Göteborgs-Posten, Sweden)
Backman is the Dickens of our age, and though you'll cry, your heart is safe in his hands (Green Valley News, Arizona)
Evident in all [Backman] novels is an apparent ability to state a truth about humanity with breathtaking elegance (Kirkus Reviews)
A light hearted, deeply moving novel about a grumpy but loveable curmudgeon who finds his solitary world (CBS Local)
Mr. Backman cements his standing as a writer of astonishing depth and proves that he also has very broad range plus the remarkable ability to make you understand the feelings of each of a dozen different characters. . . . The story is fully packed with wise insights into the human experience causing characters and readers to ponder life's great question of who we are, what we hope to be and how we should lead our lives (The Washington Times)