But when Britt-Marie discovers that Kent has been unfaithful and her perfectly organized life suddenly becomes perfectly disorganized, she does something bold: she leaves.įinding herself in the backwater town of Borg, Sweden-of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it-as the caretaker of a recreation center slated for demolition, Britt-Marie is soon being challenged, surprised, and coaxed out of her comfort zone in all sorts of ways.

She has maintained a perfectly organized life in Stockholm, Sweden, with her husband, Kent, for forty years, making sure his shirts are pressed, their apartment is spotless, and that they never run out of baking soda or her favorite brand of window cleaner. It’s not that she’s judgmental, or fussy, or difficult-she just expects things to be done a certain way. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book.īritt-Marie is an acquired taste.

The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. This reading group guide for Britt-Marie Was Here includes an introduction, discussion questions, ideas for enhancing your book club. In this small town of misfits, can Britt-Marie find a place where she truly belongs?įunny and moving, sweet and inspiring, Britt-Marie Was Here celebrates the importance of community and connection in a world that can feel isolating.

Most alarming of all, she’s given the impossible task of leading the supremely untalented children’s soccer team to victory. The fastidious Britt-Marie soon finds herself being drawn into the daily doings of her fellow citizens, an odd assortment of miscreants, drunkards, layabouts. When Britt-Marie walks out on her cheating husband and has to fend for herself in the miserable backwater town of Borg-of which the kindest thing one can say is that it has a road going through it-she finds work as the caretaker of a soon-to-be demolished recreation center. It’s just that sometimes people interpret her helpful suggestions as criticisms, which is certainly not her intention.īut hidden inside the socially awkward, fussy busybody is a woman who has more imagination, bigger dreams, and a warmer heart that anyone around her realizes. She is not one to judge others-no matter how ill-mannered, unkempt, or morally suspect they might be. A disorganized cutlery drawer ranks high on her list of unforgivable sins. The New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Anxious People captivates readers with this “warm and satisfying” ( People) story “about a woman rediscovering herself after a personal crisis…fans of Backman will find another winner in these pages” ( Publishers Weekly).īritt-Marie can’t stand mess.

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