Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author who found fame with his debut novel “A Man Called Ove.” The book initially had a slow start in the United States but eventually made it to The New York Times bestsellers list and sold over three million copies. Backman has followed up with other popular titles such as “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry” and “Anxious People.”
Readers can enjoy Backman’s works in any order, except for the “Beartown” series, which consists of three novels. “A Man Called Ove” was his debut novel, followed by “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry” and “Britt-Marie Was Here.” The “Beartown” series includes the novels “Beartown,” “Us Against You,” and “The Winners,” with “The Winners” being his latest release in 2022.
Backman writes in Swedish but his novels have been translated into over 25 languages, including English, after the success of his debut novel. Despite his eventual success, publishers initially rejected his work, citing a lack of commercial potential. Backman keeps a note with the rejection as a reminder of his journey to success.
The “Beartown” trilogy consists of “Beartown,” “Us Against You,” and “The Winners.” These novels delve into the story of a high school hockey team in a small town and the community that comes together to achieve a goal. Backman revisits the characters and community in “The Winners,” providing closure to the series.
Fredrik Backman lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife, two kids, and a dog. His busy home life has shaped his reading habits, as he enjoys reading in less-than-comfortable situations. He finds solace in reading in a chair on a balcony above a busy street or in a room where his wife is also reading.
In the 2022 movie adaptation of “A Man Called Ove,” the main character was renamed Otto due to the change in setting. The original story was set in Sweden, but in the movie, the character lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tom Hanks starred as Otto Anderson in the film, providing a fresh take on Backman’s beloved character.
