Sofia Lundberg

The global fiction sensation--publishing in 32 countries around the world--that follows 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...

The Red Address Book

Melissa Palmer

Book #12 Read in 2019
The Red Address book by Sofia Lundberg

Doris is an elderly lady living in Sweden, whose only family is a great-niece, Jenny, in America. Doris has health issues and ends up in the hospital. She has kept track of everyone she has ever met in a red address book, though most have now "dead" marked by their names. Doris has been writing her life story down for Jenny to read--about her missed love with Allan, surviving World War 2, losing her job etc. This is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it. I borrowed this book from the public library.

Beatrice

The Red Address Book is a quiet book, one that doesn't rush but rather takes its time and slowly, delicately infiltrates your heart. 

Doris' red address book, evidence of a long and full life but increasingly filled with crossed-out names marked "dead", prompts her to write down the story of her life by concentrating of some of her most meaningful relationships. I really loved the juxtaposition between younger, energetic Doris and older Doris, struggling to come to terms with the gradual loss of her physical abilities and her independence. Doris really lived - sometimes making tough choices and sometimes having to deal with the result of other people's choices or external circumstances - but she learned to accept it all, the good and the bad, and make the most of it. 

It was refreshing to read about an elderly protagonist who isn't the usual cantankerous old woman. Yes, Doris did have her moments of intolerance, but they were limited and justified by her frustration at finding herself deprived of her independence. The rest of the time, Doris was caring, funny and resourceful, even teaching herself how to use Skype in order to keep in touch with her family in the US. I also liked getting to know Jenny, Doris' grandniece and only remaining family, and really felt her pain at having to confront a loved one's mortality. I wasn't too keen on Allan at first and definitely felt like he could have explored more as a character and in his relationship with Doris.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect going in this book, but I ended up falling in love with Doris and having ALL the feels! I definitely choked up towards the end, and when I turned that last page it felt like saying goodbye to an old friend.

Overall, this is a bittersweet and charming read that will likely appeal to fans of family histories and quiet historical dramas.

For this and more reviews, visit Book for Thought.

I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book in any way.

Allie Herrington

Librarian: What a beautiful story. This is the kind of story that I always hope historical fiction novels are going to be, but seldom are. That being said, I do worry that some readers will ignore this one, because a.) it's a work in translation, and many American readers tend to overlook European works (though the fact that this book originates in Sweden may help, as Swedish authors tend to have a favorable reputation with American readers) and b.) it's format is rather unique. The memoir-esque style of the book serves it well, and really helps to highlight the story, but I worry that it could alienate some readers who are expecting a more straightforward novel.
Reader: Historical fiction is a genre that is almost always on my "genres I should read more of" list. I mean, it's a genre that I only occasionally read, even though I normally enjoy it when I do. This book serves as yet another reminder of why I need to read more of it. This little tale of a life lived to its fullest is the kind of story that makes you feel all the things, in part, because of the sheer simplicity of the narrative. This is the story of a life. It is nothing more, and nothing less. Doris, is not some chosen one, not some tragic heroine. She is just a woman who lived her life as it happened, without some overarching narrative driving things. And that's what makes this book so beautiful. It reminds us that in the end we're all just people on a journey that seems ordinary as it happens, but is really something rather extraordinary.

Reading Challenge: PopSugar 2019 - A Book Set in Scandinavia

The Red Address Book

Reviews