Literary Quote of the Month

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies," said Jojen. "The man who never reads lives only one." - George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Benny & Shrimp by Katarina Mazetti.... A Review

Why is it so impossible to get a relationship between two middle-aged misfits to work? The answer lies in the story of Benny & Shrimp...

An offbeat love story so charming you'll never want it to end!

Benny's a Swedish farmer, a country boy in his 30's with 24 milk cows and followers (followers are the babies...) plus a few sheep. He orders his clothes from a catalog...

Shrimp's a widowed Swedish librarian, in her 30's living in a sterile apartment with a white sofa. She eats vegetarian and dresses in beige...

He wants a farmers wife... She wants someone to go to the opera with...

They meet in a cemetery and fall in love... Benny mourning the loss of his mother; Shrimp mourning her husband. Detesting each other at first because they are forced to share what they feel should be a private moment alone on a bench in the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. Every day they make the same trip... Loneliness hangs off them like the morning dew, but a chance smile between them one day starts to melt their mistrust... Benny & Shrimp is an offbeat, fun, romp in the hay love story! I absolutely loved this book! In alternating chapters Benny and Shrimp each take turns telling their story from their own perspective. And it is a hoot at times...

" Going to the grave is my only breathing space, and even then I never feel I can just sit there thinking. I have to rake and plant and weed before I can let myself sit down. And then she's there..."

" It was a clear, cold autumn day and I took my usual walk to the grave on my lunch break. The Forest Owner was sitting there on the bench; he glowered at me, as if I were trespassing in his own private cemetery. His paws were all soily..."

It's an honest, down-to-earth look at love, sprinkled with humor and a pinch of sadness. It's about how two people who are mad about each other have a hard time putting it all together to make it work... It will touch your heart.

The writing is wonderful! Katarina Mazetti's choice of writing in alternating "character" chapters is a perfect way to tell this story and I think adds to its charm. You will start to look forward to reading how Benny and then Shrimp "sees" the situation. I loved the characters because of their quirkiness. The dairy farm where Benny has his life feels like a throw back to a simpler time and sets the stage for the story (and some differing of opinions) wonderfully. Their lifestyles are so different, but they are both intelligent & caring people. Could Shrimp learn to make meatballs? Could Benny not sleep thru the opera? What makes two people fall in love? With genuine affection between Benny & Shrimp you will be hoping thru each turn of the page that they can work things out. Benny & Shrimp is already an international hit! On July 28th it is going to be released in the U.S. by Penguin Books! Don't miss out reading this one! Their story will delight you!

Would you like to learn more about the book? Take a peak HERE! There's also a great reading guide for book clubs and an author interview HERE!

I want to thank Caitlin of FSB Associates for sending me a review copy so I could share it with my readers! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would definitely recommend this book to my readers! Thanks Caitlin!

13 comments:

Jenni @ Falling Off The Shelf said...

Oh this book sounds so good, I'm glad I recieved a copy from Caitlin too. I'm excited to get started on it (but I have a few others that need to be read first). Thanks for letting us know you liked it :)

Jenni

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Jenni! You are going to really like this book! It is just such a fun read! I'm glad you received a copy to review too!

Yvette Kelly said...

Hey
Short note to say Hi! seeing as you don't do emails anymore what with being busy with reviews,tours,i phones and kindles.I have tagged you for something over at my blog and I really want to see your workspace!!!

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Yvette!
Thank goodness you're my friend! Who else would put up with me! lol! :D

Harvee said...

I'm looking forward to reading this book. Your review has convinced me!

Dixie said...

Wasn't this just the sweetest story? I loved it too.

Mari - Escape In A Book said...

I have seen the movie twice and it is quite funny and sweet.

I didn't know there was a book, a bit ashamed to admit it LOL.

Darlene said...

Glad you liked it Suzy. I'm going to be reading it soon as well.

Suzanne Yester said...

Oh Ladybug... I didn't know there was a movie! Is it a UK movie?

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Dar!
Oh you are going to really like this! Let me know what you think when you are done!

Suzanne Yester said...

Hi Dixie!
I loved the way you read back and forth what each of them was thinking! And how they were spot on with their 'observations'! The ending though?..

Suzanne Yester said...

Bird Book Dog! Definitely a book you will enjoy! You and I tend to enjoy a lot of the same reads! We should all chat about it here after we all have read it.. kind of like a reading club meeting!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I'm reading this one now; thanks for the great review.

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