The Brothers Lionheart
The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgrenby Astrid Lindgren
Ranked 9 of 9 children's books by recommenders
Recommended as a children's novel that kids adore and that some readers find moving on death. Critics object that it presents suicide as a way to reach the afterlife.
Recommended as a children's novel that kids adore and that some readers find moving on death. Critics object that it presents suicide as a way to reach the afterlife.
4 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 3
- criticize it
- 1
- approval share
- 75%
Recommended in 2 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: not recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: not recommended
- May 2026: recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 3 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 3 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 2 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, not met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Kids adore it
“My kids absolutely adored Brothers Lionheart.”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” Makes readers appreciate death's finality
“as an adult, this book makes me appreciate the finality of death”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” Re-read again and again
“I've literally re-read it this year again and I couldn't disagree more”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” Considered a better story
“Personally I consider The Brothers Lionheart to be a better story”
Comment from 8 May 2026 in “Pinocchio is weirder than you remembered”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Presents suicide as harmless
“the book says basically - no biggie, there is no death, you commit suicide to move to another level to be with your brother”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” “which is glorifying suicide and should be really banned for kids under 15”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” Wrong lesson for young children
“That's really F up thing to teach small kids, who should know death is permanent.”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it” “which is glorifying suicide and should be really banned for kids under 15”
Comment from 10 Sep 2026 in “All grown-ups were once children, but only few of them remember it”
Other children's books people recommend
The four most recommended other children's books, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering for Babiesby Chase Roberts | 15 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | Approved |
| The Chronicles of Narniaby C. S. Lewis | 8 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| Pinocchioby Carlo Collodi | 6 | 2 | 75% | 2 | — | — |
| The Wind in the Willowsby Kenneth Grahame | 5 | 0 | 100% | 4 | — | — |
| The Brothers Lionheartby Astrid LindgrenThis page | 3 | 1 | 75% | 2 | — | — |
What people said
All 7 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“as an adult, this book makes me appreciate the finality of death”
“That's really F up thing to teach small kids, who should know death is permanent.”
“the book says basically - no biggie, there is no death, you commit suicide to move to another level to be with your brother”
“My kids absolutely adored Brothers Lionheart.”
“I've literally re-read it this year again and I couldn't disagree more”
“which is glorifying suicide and should be really banned for kids under 15”
“Personally I consider The Brothers Lionheart to be a better story”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.