Good day, dear Take in Mind readers!
…Having a grandmother is like having an army. This is a grandchild’s ultimate privilege: knowing that someone is on your side, always, whatever the details. Even when you are wrong. Especially then, in fact. A grandmother is both a sword and a shield…
― Fredrik Backman
According to the humble opinion of the post’s author, the Swedish writer Fredrik Backman precisely describes the power by which the grandparents protect, help, heal and encourage their grandchildren. It is a great, special, slightly excessive and sometimes illogical, but always a very warm, sincere and fully embracing LOVE! This real feeling, like a good seed, sprouts, becomes a big and strong tree, supporting and nourishing a grandchild throughout his/her future life. Moreover, it passes into his or her children and grandchildren, and further, and further… Maybe, this is the real eternal life?!
So, when a writer starts describing any grandmother or grandfather character, and at the same time does not compose, but remembers, the novel’s heroes become to be so warm, kind, real and alive. And if the writer is also talented, then…
Today we decided to suggest for your attention a small book list. By the way: we tried to rate the novels, but after a while, we decided not to continue this stupid occupation.
So, our list contains:
THE HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO CLIMBED OUT THE WINDOW AND DISAPPEARED by Jonas Jonasson
…You might think he could have made up his mind earlier, and been man enough to inform his surroundings of his decision. But Allan Karlsson had never been given to pondering things too long.
So the idea had barely taken hold in the old man’s head before he opened the window of his room on the ground floor of the Old Folk’s Home in the town of Malmköping, and stepped out – into the flower bed.
This maneuver required a bit of effort, since Allan was 100 years old, on this very day in fact. There was less than an hour to go before his birthday party would begin in the lounge of the Old Folk’s Home. The mayor would be there. And the local paper. And all the other old people. And the entire staff, led by bad tempered Director Alice.
It was only the Birthday Boy himself who didn’t intend to turn up…
This is how this comic and fantastically fascinating story begins about the young (only 100 years old boy!) Allan Karlsson, who combines his richest life experience, resourcefulness and amazing love for life and to having real fun… In the book, you’ll all other details about the collapse of stereotypes, and, in addition, an original interpretation of modern world history!
MANYUNYA by Narine Abgaryan
If we can compare the book with some natural phenomenon, this novel is like a pleasant June breeze – light, warm, pleasant… Funny and mostly autobiographical stories (and because of this even funnier) about two girlfriends, Nara and Maria Schatz, their parents (respectively, Nadia, Yura and Uncle Misha) and Nara’s sisters and little brother, and, of course, about the great, powerful, formidable and so kind Grandma, Rosa Iosifovna. This novel is about a happy childhood, not over-burdened by mobile phones and other gadgets.
N.B. A few small suggestions about a serious topic: It’s still a pity that because of the political and economic, let’s say, schemers, two ancient nations constantly find themselves on opposite sides. Can you imagine what a spiritual leap will occur if Jews and Armenians finally feel their brotherly closeness?!
MY GRANDFATHER WAS A CHERRY TREE by Angela Nanetti
I want to quote one overview for this book: “Old man Ottaviano planted a cherry tree, which became his grandson’s best friend. And so, the story of an unusual grandfather who knew how to listen to plants and believed that a person does not die while cherry trees continue to live for him was born...”
Everything is correct, except for one key statement: old farmer Octaviano was an absolutely ordinary person who loved with his whole being: he loved his wife, daughter and little grandson, his garden and animals. And everyone, in turn, including the cherry tree named Felice and Alfonsina the goose, responded to him with the same great feeling. I suddenly caught myself thinking that if you change the names of the human and animal heroes of this funny, but a bit sad novel and the place of action, this story could have happened in any country and on any continent. Perhaps, this is the reason why true love has no nationality and no borders?!
MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Fredrik Backman
I am very glad to present another super-masterpiece from the author of “A Man called Ove.” In my subjective opinion, this is one of the best literary works of the last 50 years. At least, the level of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
When a person is almost eight-year-old, an easy life for him/her is less to be expected. And, especially, if you get an eccentric and absolutely rejecting the rules grandmother, then life becomes one big bright adventure. For Elsa, her Granny is the best superhero in the world, with whom she travels to the fairy-tale world of the Land-of-Almost-Awake every night. But it will happen that Elsa should be involved in an amazing adventure in which the magical world of Granny’s stories and real-life merge. “She’ll always love her for it” The book is full of amazing phrases – a little shocking, but so kind, deep, heat-touched and sincere…
PEACE AND WAR by Boris Akunin (From the series “History of the Russian state in stories and novels”)
Everything is perfect! Firstly, the author (his name is already speaking for the highest quality)! Secondly, instead of Holmes/Watson and Fandorin/Masa, there is a new super-detective duet: the wisest grandmother Polina Afanasyevna and her smart, far-sighted granddaughter Alexandra. Thirdly, a bloodthirsty, brutal and sly maniac. Fourthly, the historical events of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Have a nice reading! To all our grandparents, we want to wish good health, pleasure from life and joy from the children and, of course, the grandchildren!
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