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Things My Son Needs to Know About The World

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Things My Son Needs to Know About The World

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Santino Fontana
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Things My Son Needs to Know by Fredrik Backman.

From the 13 million copy internationally bestselling author of A Man Called Ove.

'You can be whatever you want to be, but that's nowhere near as important as knowing that you can be exactly who you are'

Things My Son Needs To Know About The World is a tender and funny series of letters from a father to his son about one of life's most daunting experiences: parenthood.

In between the sleep-obsessed lows and oxytocin-fuelled highs, Backman takes a step back to share his own experience of fatherhood and how he navigates such unchartered territory.

Part memoir, part manual, part love letter to his son, this book relays the big and the small lessons in life. As he watches his son take his first steps into the world, he teaches him how to navigate both love and IKEA and tries to explain why, sometimes, his dad might hold his hand just a little bit too tightly.

This is an irresistible and insightful collection from one of the world's most beautiful storytellers.

 Child Psychology Developmental Psychology Entertainment & Celebrities Fatherhood Letters & Correspondence Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence Parenting & Families Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Funny

Critic reviews

Some snort-out-your-drink moments, a lot of the parenting advice/stories rings true. The audiobook highlights the hilarity of the author's compositions, the narrator bringing his work to life with gusto. I laughed aloud while walking and driving at times
Praise for Fredrik Backman
Evident in all [Backman] novels is an apparent ability to state a truth about humanity with breathtaking elegance
Praise for Things My Son Needs To Know About The World
A letter in book format, executed with humor and a nostalgic insight . . The perfect gift for all new parents, not only fathers - because even if Backman loves to do his "Dad was right, Mom wasn't"- dance in front of strangers, it's the mothers who will be amused by his efforts most of all. (Brigitte)
Excellent and touching, but most of all full of funny and silly comments and observations . . . Fredrik Backman has once again written something absolutely wonderful and remarkable. (Litteratursiden)
I have said it before, and I'll say it again: I don't know anyone who writes as beautifully and lucidly about love as Fredrik Backman. He writes so that I can understand what he means - what he feels. That's an accomplishment. (Bloggen Dykslektrikeren)
He writes about football, God, the baggage claim at the airport, and other things that need a real walk-through. At times insightful, an unexpectedly humble and breathlessly funny book with spot-on reflections of family situations at IKEA, the changing table and other places. I laugh out loud at this laddish declaration of love that encourages play, the pursuit of one's passion, finding love, being kind when you can, and tough when you must . . . Wonderful! (Varbergs Posten)
The prose is driven, catchy and flows easily. One can tell that Fredrik Backman is an experienced writer and I laugh out loud multiple times during the reading (Litteratur Magazinet)
It's in the depictions of upbringing, social heritage and spending time together with loved ones that Fredrik Backman's prose turns clear and soulful (Göteborgs-Posten)
All stars
Most relevant
if love can be described ,it is in this book. I laughed I cried. Frederic Backman has a way of speaking to the heart, unedited honesty. I was so sad when the book ended.

Frederic Backman does it again

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Fredrik Backman never disappoints and this is one of those books that is written with the love and attention needed to impart wisdom in a way the reader needs and wants to hear it

Well written

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This story grows on you like love. I hope it find the time to write to my boys like this.

Great!

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this is just the most amazing book. it's breathtaking, in every possible, inconceivably way... I love it

everything

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Some snort-out-your-drink moments, a lot of the parenting advice/stories rings true.

Backman really lays his own life bare here, a few secrets and anecdotes from his own family's vaults, as he speaks to his baby son in chapters that give him all the advice he'll need for when he's older.

The audiobook highlights the hilarity of the author's compositions, the narrator bringing his work to life with gusto. I laughed aloud while walking and driving at times.

From the joys of 'poop' (though I disagree with the author over the centrality of this to the life of the new parent - for me it was feeds that everything rested on), the book takes in various topics including finding a life partner and various milestones of parenthood, as well as more general life advice. Backman tells stories of his own marriage and life, making this part biography as he also makes this a future guide for his child.

I've already recommended this to friends with children or who are planning on having them. It's a joyous and lively listen, a lot of it rings true, and for parents it would be just as useful as any of the parenting books out there.

With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.

Much of the parenting advice rings true

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