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Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
None
No significant violence
Language
Some
Adult language consistent with Backman's Scandinavian literary style
Sexual Content
Barely any
Brief references to adult relationships
Substance Use
None
No substance use of note
Emotional Intensity
A lot
Suicide and depression in characters' backstories, the grief of failed relationships, and the loneliness that drives ordinary people to desperate acts are handled with tremendous warmth and emotional intelligence
What this book is about
A failed bank robbery leads to a botched hostage situation in which the robber becomes hostage to eight people who won't stop offering advice. As a father-and-son detective team interviews them one by one, each character's story unfolds into something more tender than anyone expected. Backman's Swedish novel is about human imperfection and grace.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Suicide referenced in backstory — handled with care and empathy
Depression and loneliness — underlying themes for multiple characters
Reader Verification
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