A heartbreaking and hilarious novel from the internationally bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People

Everyone remembers the smell of their grandmother's house.

Everyone remembers the stories their grandmother told them.

But does everyone remember their grandmother flirting with policemen? Driving illegally?

Breaking into a zoo in the middle of the night? Firing a paintball gun from a balcony in her dressing gown?

Seven-year-old Elsa does.

Some might call Elsa's granny eccentric, or even crazy. Elsa calls her a superhero. And granny's stories, of knights and princesses and dragons and castles, are her superpower. Because, as Elsa is starting to learn, heroes and villains don't always exist in imaginary kingdoms; they could live just down the hallway.

As Christmas draws near, even the best superhero grandmothers may have one or two things they'd like to apologise for. And, in the process, Elsa can have some breath-taking adventures of her own . . .

See what readers are saying

Such a magical book . . . his books are full of true gems; slivers of brilliance

Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Another wonderful read from Backman. He touches on some many topics with such kind nature, from the pressure to fit in, to parenthood and bereavement. Beautiful

Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

I stayed up late last night to finish it and went to bed with a huge smile on my face and feeling happy, totally unexpected emotions . . . Head and shoulders above the other books I've read this year

Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

A perfect book . . . I loved every page, every chapter, every character

Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This book made me laugh out loud and also brought me to tears more than once

Amazon reviewer, ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐