- Author
- Fredrik Backman
- Narrator
- Marin Ireland
- Length
- 11 hr 1 min
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Audio
Best for: Anyone who wants to laugh and maybe cry a little.
Backman's novel depends on comic rhythm and quick character sketches. Ireland nails both. Each hostage, from the bickering couple to the man in the rabbit mask, gets a quick vocal signature you recognise instantly.
The police interview transcripts, which break up the chapters, are especially funny in audio, with the two investigators sounding increasingly exasperated.
Beneath the jokes the book is about loneliness and kindness, and Ireland softens beautifully for the emotional chapters near the end.
A short, warm, satisfying listen that is easy to recommend to almost anyone.
What we loved
- ✓Excellent comic timing
- ✓Distinct character voices
- ✓Warm, uplifting ending
Worth knowing
- –Narrative voice can be whimsical
- –Twisty structure early on
The verdict
One of the most charming fiction recordings of recent years.
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