Reviews

• “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. ”

• “A sweet-tart 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.”

• “Wise and captivating, Lundberg’s novel offers clear-eyed insights into old age and the solace of memory.”

• “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.”

• “A testament to the power of love and stories to bridge generations.”

• “The relationships [Doris] forms along the way, from the tortured gay artist who becomes a lifelong friend to the charismatic young man whose love drives Doris to battle enormous odds in an attempt to find him during WWII, are beautifully brought to life in this sweetly elegiac novel.”

• “A charming, fragile romance.”

• “Readers who enjoyed Eleanor Brown’s The Light of Paris or Nina George’s The Little French Bistro will delight in seeing Doris’s life unfold in this charming, tender tale.”

• “Like a cozy conversation with your grandma, The Red Address Book warms your heart and soul.”

• “Charming.”

• “The novel’s beautiful ending makes the soul sing, the heart swell and the tears fall, and so I shall leave the last word to Doris: ‘Don’t be afraid of life, Jenny. Live. Help yourself. Laugh. Life isn’t here to entertain; you have to entertain life. Seize opportunities whenever they come along, and make something good out of them.’”

• “Doris’s tales of the past, wrapped around the present, are heartwarming and bittersweet. An endearing winter read.”

• “It’s fascinating read that will get under your skin and evoke thoughts that stretch beyond the boundaries of the text. A brilliant book and a summary of what it means to be human and the circumstances that form and torment us. /…/ With a warmhearted and stylistically confident hand [Sofia Lundberg] brings to light relationships’ value, and paints an accurate picture of aging’s conditions. I sincerely hope that Sofia Lundberg will find a following and that we will get to see more of her literary authorship.”

• “It not only gets heart-wrenching, but incredibly thrilling. /…/ A real gem that I’m happy to recommend.”

• “The Red Address Book is a fantastic life story about love, happiness and sorrow.”

• “A book that will make you long for home, is what I wrote when I Instagrammed [The Red Address Book] one day. A literary comfort blanket, smartly executed. /…/ It’s a lovely book, I would say it’s perfect to enjoy together with a cup of tea, a warm blanket, yummy cheese sandwiches and autumn weather.”

• “This is absolutely one of the most beautiful and heart-breaking stories I have read in a long time. The author’s prose is so soft and lovely and the story touches, evokes feelings and thoughts. It’s a story of memories, loneliness, longing, and love. The book is such a beautiful work, and I really recommend everyone to read it. You won’t be disappointed.”

• “Captivating, gripping and told in an amazing way where past and present meet. Love it!”

• “The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg is a true gem.”

• “As I was absorbed by this book I thought to myself: WHY didn’t I read this earlier??”

• “The Red Address Book was the evening’s topic during the book chat. Everyone was in agreement that it was great. /…/ It was also an easy read, and had momentum throughout. /…/ It’s a lovely book that touches on life’s many fates: to love, to long for, and to try to fit in.”

• “This is a heart-breaking story. A look back at history of a sort, but also a thought-provoking story about how everyone has a story to tell. /…/ This is Sofia Lundberg’s debut novel; I truly hope that she will write more.”

• “What a delightful journey you get to experience with this diamond of a novel, The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg. /…/ Read, read, read it.”

• “I enjoy the way that the author switches between present and past. Using Doris’ address book as a starting point is a smart move. The prose is smooth and carefully chosen.”

• “The Red Address Book – a friend’s book that I’ve wanted to read for a long time. Now I only have a few pages left. I can truly recommend this lovely story!”

• “[The Red Address Book] is an interesting read that makes you think. A book that summarizes what it is like to be human and how environment can wound and shape you. /…/ Everyone in the book club were unanimous that this was a really excellent book.”

• “Fantastic, gripping and powerful!!!”

• “An engrossing tale about taking on burdens young, sisterly love, travels, dizzying love, and more. What this book portrays in a beautiful manner is life itself, simply put. As life is with love, disappointment, hopes, and gratitude for what one has gotten to experience.”

• “Sofia Lundberg is the name of the author who has written a book reminiscent of a female version of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared /…/ Many are the moving and entertaining stories that together form Doris’ amazing life story. Read, enjoy, and get ready to shed a tear or two.”

• “Memories, love and friends in a marvelous novel /…/ The author Sofia Lundberg takes us on a fascinating journey through time and space. Delicately and sensitively she lets us accompany Doris on her journey.”

• “Sofia Lundberg’s debut novel The Red Address Book is an extravagant and sentimental novel about time and aging.”

• “A touching and optimistic story of a determined lady. You might need to reach for tissues when reading.”

• “A deeply touching novel about what unique stories our lives are.”

• “Let it be said right away: This novel will have you in tears – tears that will pour out even as you smile. Love in all its forms, the whims of fate and lifelong loyalty are mixed together to form a wonderful and utterly moving story. /…/ The story hits you right in the heart, and I savored every word of it.”

• “The Red Address Book is one of the best novels I have read in a long time. /…/ [It] is absolutely wonderful, and I would recommend everyone to read it, and also to hurry to ask their grandparents about their life stories, before they’re no longer with us – it’s a magical experience.”

• “A touching, engaging and captivating novel about a woman’s life. Several times I sat with tears in my eyes and had to put the book down for a bit to catch my breath, before I picked it up again and was again deeply moved. /…/ The Red Address Book gets five big stars! I loved the book all the way through. I cried, gaped, and almost howled during several parts. It’s a story that has you caught in no time, about a person you come to treasure almost immediately.”

• “The Red Address Book stays with you even after you’ve finished it. /…/ A touching story about experiences, friendships and what life is all about.”

• “The plot is very emotional and touching with lots of love and life. The story about Doris warmed me right from the beginning and I couldn’t put the book down. I got very carried away and I quickly fell in love with her and felt her losses. Sofia Lundberg creates a special atmosphere with her great writing style, managing to remind the reader to enjoy everyday life and show our loved ones how important they are to us. I give it 5/5.”

• “Wow, this book definitely struck a nerve with me./…/ It’s hard to believe how such an authentic and thrillingly narrated plot can be fit into less than 350 pages./…/ I recommend this beautiful, touching and tenderly narrated book from the heart and would once again like to highlight the successful combination of so many different elements such as historical events and characters, family history, relationship dramas as well as a very moving and sweeping love and life story.”

• “In her truly wonderful and beautiful writing style, the author has managed to really touch and inspire me with this book. /…/ I found the book incredibly emotional and I was often moved to tears. Beautifully written and thought-provoking.”

• “There’s a flow in the writing style; [the novel] is a great read and has completely captivated me. /…/ The Red Address Book is a truly excellent debut that captivates the reader. An interestingly portrayed protagonist, an easy, flowing reading style and a plot that has brought me wonderful reading hours. Really recommend it!”

• “Just from the cover and title, I knew that I’d find the book interesting. /…/ I just flew through the pages, and from the first sentence I was enchanted. Sofia Lundberg paints with her words. She has not just written a book, but created art. I truly enjoyed reading the book and felt both fear and hope for the characters. /…/ I could not put it down and I had to constantly wipe the tears from my eyes. It was so moving and beautiful. /…/ This book has made me reflect about life and love. /…/ I could write so much more about this book, but you have to read, feel and discover the book yourself. This book is a story that goes straight to your heart and stays there for a long time!”

• “A very sensitive and touching narrative about longing, love, separation, friendship, laughter, sorrow, ageing and the loneliness tied to it.”

• “A voice that gets under your skin.”

• “Moving.”

• “[Sofia Lundberg] has written a book for mothers, daughters and grandmothers. A book about transience, about letting go and about the end of a life’s journey. It’s also a book about opportunities, courage and love.”

• “[A book] absolutely worth reading.”

• “This eloquent debut is like a visit to grandma’s – you feel safe and amazed by the stories you hear. A soulful look back which has made me feel very contemplative.”

• “One of the most outstanding debuts since The Haunted House by Isabel Allende./…/ Entertainment that is guaranteed to bring about tears, laughter and bliss – Sofia Lundberg’s book ensures a reading experience filled with great emotion, sparkling humour and stunning charm to the very last page. The Red Address Book is an essential feature of every bookshelf. This debut will seduce all your senses and captivate you completely for hours on end. The Swedish author writes in a way that will inevitably have you succumb to her words. Her work places the reader under an unprecedented level of intoxication. And she makes us smile like no other. Lundberg masters the art of narration at the highest level. Between the covers you’ll find a feel-good novel of the very best kind. /…/ Such intoxicating levels of reading joy that Sofia Lundberg’s novel generates can normally only be found with Isabel Allende. A story such as the one in The Red Address Book is a very special gift for the reader and one of the most beautiful kind. Only a few sentences in the story will have brought you to tears, it even tears at your heart./…/ This is literature that makes your knees weak and that you fall in love with.”

• “An as thrilling as it is exciting life story, and a read-worthy reminder that it’s never too late for happiness!”

• “Sofia Lundberg writes with great sensitivity, sympathy and warmth about her protagonist, Doris.”