And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is a novella by New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman. It follows the tender, poignant journey of an elderly man grappling with Alzheimer’s, as he cherishes memories and moments with his beloved grandson and son.
I love Fredrik Backman’s style of writing. He writes with so much warmth and I adored the Beartown series and A Man Called Ove. He’s fast become one of my favourite ever authors.
I don’t read many novellas but as I’m trying to read as many Fredrik Backman books as possible, I decided to make an exception.
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Plot
This is the story of Grandpa, an elderly man gradually succumbing to dementia, and his cherished grandson, Noah.
Each day, Grandpa embarks on a mental journey with Noah, a journey through memories and shared stories.
This imaginative ritual becomes a lifeline for Grandpa as he grapples with the disintegration of his memories and the looming inevitability of losing himself to the abyss of forgetfulness.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer Book Review
It’s hard to even put into words how much this book moved me. Fredrik Backman’s writing always draws me in and leaves a lasting impact but this book really tugged on my heartstrings.
The love between Grandpa and Noah is heart-warming and, at times, heart-wrenching. As Grandpa’s memories fade, you can’t help but ache for the loss he’s experiencing, and for Noah, who’s slowly losing his beloved grandfather to a relentless disease.
Fredrik Backman skilfully captures the meandering nature of Grandpa’s thoughts, effortlessly shifting between the present and the past. As Grandpa’s memories slipped further away, I could feel how disorientating and scary it must have been for him.
As someone who has lost a loved one to dementia, I found myself on the brink of tears at several moments in the story. The theme of memory, or the lack thereof, is explored with sensitivity and depth, making it so relatable to anyone who has witnessed the impact of dementia. It’s a poignant reminder how fragile memory can be.
This story may have been a short one but it left such a lasting impression on me. It’s an absolute gem of a book.
If you’re seeking a short yet impactful read that explores the fragility of memory and the enduring power of love, this novella is an absolute must-read.
What books are like And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer?
I would highly recommend any Fredrik Backman novel if you enjoyed this one. His writing always pulls on my heartstrings, none more so than the Beartown Series.
In terms of different authors you might enjoy, The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin which also tackles the tricky subject of imminent death. It also features a younger character alongside a much older one, as it does in this novella.
I’d also recommend We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman. It’s a poignant, heartbreaking yet hopeful novel that follows the journey of Ash as she faces losing her best friend Edi to cancer.
Has Fredrik Backman written any other novellas?
Fredrik Backman has also written the festive novella, The Deal of a Lifetime, which was published in 2018.
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