Let's Talk About Fredrik Backman

Lifelong Learning | Registration opens 8/7/2025 9:00 AM EDT

10/22/2025-11/19/2025
11:00 AM-12:30 PM EDT on Wed

Let's Talk About Fredrik Backman

Lifelong Learning | Registration opens 8/7/2025 9:00 AM EDT

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish writer whose novels have been translated into more than 25 languages. He is popular in Sweden as well as the United States. His books are incredibly insightful and moving.

 

In this class, we will discuss three of Backman’s novels: A Man called Ove (we can also explore the Tom Hanks’ movie A Man called Otto as well), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, and Anxious People. Our discussions will center on the themes of Backman’s books at this moment in time as well as his writing style and characterizations.

 

The fun of this class will rest on the variety of voices in the room and the wealth of reading and life experiences that lie behind those voices. I hope you will join me!

Mary Beth Spore

Mary Beth Spore, Ph.D., has been a faculty member and administrator in at the University for Pittsburgh and Saint Vincent College for over 25 years. She has taught many courses in children’s and young adult literature and criticism as well as writing and speech classes. She loves teaching and learning, and seeks both in the classroom. She is a lover of children, dogs, reading, and storytelling. She is a native of western PA, and received her Ph.D. in English Education from the University of Pittsburgh.