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Thursday, September 10, 2009

Book Review: Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti

Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti
Genre: Adult Fiction
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Pages: 224
Available Now: Amazon.com

Summary: An international sensation, this addictively readable tale asks the question: Why is it so impossible to get a relationship between two middle-aged misfits to work? The answer lies in the story of Shrimp, a young widowed librarian with a sharp intellect and a home so tidy that her jam jars are in alphabetical order; Benny, a gentle, overworked milk farmer who fears becoming the village's Old Bachelor; and an unlikely love that should not be as complicated as it seems. Reminiscent of the works of Carol Shields, this quirky, humorous, beautifully told novel breathes new life into the age-old conundrum that is love.

My Review: Benny & Shrimp was a fast paced novel full of drama, love and humor. I really enjoyed it, especially all the diverse characters I encountered. Benny is a devoted farmer, Shrimp a plain Jane librarian. Bring these two personalities together and you have one interesting yet dysfunctional relationship! My favorite part of the book was all the sarcasm that both characters possessed, even serious situations were written with humor. Throughout the book they both struggled with each others differences even though they truly loved each other deep down. Will it work? Will they stay as friends with benefits? Hm, you gotta read it to find out! However, this is definitely not a young adult novel, sex is brought up a lot....but not in a graphic kind of way. Overall, I liked it, it's a cute read.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Author's Info:
Katarina Mazetti was nominated for the Prix Cevennes in France in 2007 and has worked as a journalist, teacher, and author of books for readers of all ages. For twenty years she lived on a small farm in northern Sweden, an experience that became the basis for Benny & Shrimp, her first adult novel, which was adapted into an award-winning film in Sweden (winning the Swedish equivalent of the Oscars).

5 comments:

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

I received this in the mail this week. Havent read it yet but I think it will be good :)

Jenni @ Falling Off The Shelf said...

I also recieved a copy of this...and just haven't gotten around to it with all of the blog tours I have been participating in. I will have to try to find time for it shortly.

Great review.

Mari - Escape In A Book said...

I'm glad to hear that you liked it! I think it is so much fun to read reviews of books written by fellow Scandinavians(since I'm from Norway). Naturally it's not so many of them to see around in the book blogging community.

Jacqueline C. said...

I just finished this one and enjoyed it a lot. I was a bit pissed at the ending until I found out a few minutes later that there's a sequel.

Sara said...

Yay, a Swedish author! But I have no idea what this book is called in Sweden... :S
(Just googled it,and I know what book it is, I've watched the movie! hehe =P)

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