I need someone I know to read this so we can discuss. While I think Backman is an amazing storyteller who really understands human nature and the subtleties and nuances of the human condition, and this was an excellent story, something about his writing style in this book (not his others) bothered me. It felt a little gimmicky, all the foreshadowing, and opening and closing sentences to sections, the reminders and the aphorisms. I don't know. Very interesting story, though, and he is such a unique talent.