The Red Address Book
Published on 24. January 2019
Book
Hardback
304 pages
978-0-00-827792-5 (ISBN)
Description
'Written with love, told with joy' Fredrik Backman, author of A Man Called Ove
A heartwarming debut about 96-year-old Doris, who writes down the memories of her eventful life as she pages through her decades-old address book. But the most profound moment of her life is still to come ...
Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny-her American grandniece, and her only relative-give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.
When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colourful past-working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War-can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, to unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris's life?
A heartwarming debut about 96-year-old Doris, who writes down the memories of her eventful life as she pages through her decades-old address book. But the most profound moment of her life is still to come ...
Meet Doris, a 96-year-old woman living alone in her Stockholm apartment. She has few visitors, but her weekly Skype calls with Jenny-her American grandniece, and her only relative-give her great joy and remind her of her own youth.
When Doris was a girl, she was given an address book by her father, and ever since she has carefully documented everyone she met and loved throughout the years. Looking through the little book now, Doris sees the many crossed-out names of people long gone and is struck by the urge to put pen to paper. In writing down the stories of her colourful past-working as a maid in Sweden, modelling in Paris during the 30s, fleeing to Manhattan at the dawn of the Second World War-can she help Jenny, haunted by a difficult childhood, to unlock the secrets of their family and finally look to the future? And whatever became of Allan, the love of Doris's life?
Reviews / Votes
'Written with love, told with joy. Very easy to enjoy' Fredrik Backman, New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove'[A] Swedish romance steeped in memory and regret ... The Red Address Book is just the sort of easy-reading tale that will inspire readers to pull up a comfy chair to the fire, grab a mug of cocoa and a box of tissues and get hygge with it' New York Times Book Review
'Wise and captivating, Lundberg's novel offers clear-eyed insights into old age and the solace of memory' People Magazine
'With an ingenious hook and a glorious heroine, this book is a delicate balance of heartwarming and heartbreaking and a timely reminder to hold on to those you love in case they get away. Enchanting' Veronica Henry
'In this tender and heartfelt story, Sofia Lundberg offers a reminder that those we too easily dismiss, such as the elderly, have rich histories and lives that we can learn from ... Completely engrossing from start to finish, The Red Address Book is a poignant tale of memory and how those things we carry in our heart work together to create our own life stories' New York Journal of Books
'In a reader's lifetime, there are a few books that will be companions forever. For me, The Red Address Book is one of them. It will comfort you, and remind you of all the moments when you grabbed life with both hands. It is also an homage to the wisdom of women who have lived longer than most of us. One is never too old to learn that love is the only meaning of life - let's listen to these women' Nina George, author of The Little Paris Bookshop
'Doris's life story is magnetic, and it's her strong personality and pearls of wisdom ... that drive the book ... Fans of Fredrik Backman will find much to like here' Publishers Weekly
'A warm and tender story about life, memories, and the power of love and friendship. A novel with heart and humor!'
Katarina Bivald, author of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Dimensions
Height: 227 mm
Width: 159 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
550 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-827792-5 (9780008277925)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Sofia Lundberg
The Red Address Book
E-Book
01/2019
1st Edition
The Borough Press
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Sofia Lundberg, a journalist and former magazine editor, is the debut author behind the Swedish word-of-mouth and blog sensation The Red Address Book. Sofia lives in Stockholm with her son.