Read the New York Times bestseller that has taken the world by storm Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon–the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile … around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.
A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year, ’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).more
A book for anyone looking to unwind. A slow meditation for the mind, but with enough heart from its curmudgeonly lead to help restore a little faith in the world.
Excellent Book! Highly recommend.
dear book. the power of friends, neighbors.
Memorable! I loved the characters and the way the neighbors formed strong relationships.
My first introduction to Backman. Excellent as are the follow ups “My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry”, and “Britt-Marie Was Here”,
One of the best books I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud and shed real tears. You will fall in love with Ove.
**This review contains spoilers.**
Originally, I struggled with this book because of how negative Ove is, but once I found out why I have so much sympathy for him. Every time OVe tried to commit suicide to be with his wife once more, I was relieved when his neighbors unknowningly intervened. I am very glad Ove’s neighbors kept him on his toes. My heart broke when Ove died at the end, but I feel like it was finally his time. His time after becoming a friend, a roommate, a “father”, and a “grandfather.” This book taught me that what a person displays on the outside is not what is necessarily on the inside, and everyone, even Ove loves cats. Such a heart warming story.
I absolutely love Backman and his style of writing and choice of subjects. He handles social issues in a brilliant way. I have read all his books. The only one that read very slowly was My Grandmother asked me to tell you she’s sorry. If I had read that one without reading the others, I would not have finished it. Beartown and Us Against You were outstanding.
A Man Called Ove touched me in numerous ways. The story line in itself is remarkable, but the character reminds me of both my father and husband in his outward vs inner personality. He’s both stoic and structured outwardly, but has a compassionate and caring heart, and he is a man with strong principles. His life is a lesson on devotion and principle, and the need for friendship and connections to others in order to live life to its fullest.
Overall, I am totally obsessed with this novel! If you’re into gallows humor, deep character dives, and fantastically snarky writing styles, I would highly recommend it! I cannot wait to read more of Backman’s work, whether of not I have read them before. I can’t get enough!
For my full review, please visit: https://www.krwardbookreview.com/2020/12/a-man-called-ove-by-fredrik-backman.html
This book had a little bit of everything–characters of all ages and walks of life. Parvenah and her family are instantly lovable, as are the young postman and his friends from the coffee shop. Even though Sonja has passed, she has an indelible presence in the story and in Ove’s thoughts. This is the kind of book that should be required reading for a high school or college literature class! This was well done!!
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman touched my heart with the most realistic and live character despite his age. Northern grumpiness and preparedness for any occasion are close to my heart. I immediately recall my Finnish grandmother and her narrow circle of friends, in whose faces it was impossible to find a hint of a smile. However, those people could always be relied on, despite their gloomy appearance. Ove cannot come to terms with his wife’s death – she was a ray of light in his dark world. For Ove, the world is nothing more than a big SCAM where everyone tries to profit at the expense of another. For goodness sake, he even has to buy two flowers instead of one in order to not lose his money. The fancy word of “marketing” presents for him nothing more than a lack of logic on one end and cheating customers on the other. When a refugee family settles in next to him, his quiet life, from which he decided to depart, changes. However, after a while, by helping this family, Ove finds his peace and a place among people. His neighbor’s inaptitude repeatedly saves his life. They are not accustomed yet to the new – European living, and they need his help every day. Ove tries his new social role as a foster grandfather for his neighbor’s refugee kids. If someone in this world still needs him, his life is not over yet. Ove’s speech is replete with funny expressions, which make this book easy and entertaining to read. Five stars!
The story of a sometimes-lovable curmudgeon, this book was a reminder that people are not always as they seem. I will be looking for my next book by this author!
A delightful and thoroughly satisfying read. Few authors can so fully immerse their readers in the world of their characters as Bachman. Uve and his neighbors are WONDERFUL! I laughed out loud, squeezed misty eyes shut, and wanted to move to this little and totally real community so all these folks could be my neighbors too. Loved, loved, loved this book!
When you begin this novel, you meet a crusty old Swede named Ove who lives like a hermit and never seems to have a kind word to say to anyone. He may even be a highly functioning person with autism spectrum disorder. We meet him as he’s trying to buy an iPad, though he clearly has no knowledge of anything related to computers and is likely the most frustrating and nasty person the salespeople have ever met.
There begins the slow unraveling of Ove’s life. Each chapter is a beautifully written gem — revealing some small part of Ove’s life, both past and present. Like his new Iranian neighbors who force themselves into his solitude. Or, the old couple across the street, who used to be Ove’s close friends and are are fighting the husband’s move to a nursing facility. Or, the single mother and her overweight son who live down the street. All of these people come to play significant roles in Ove’s story, against his better judgement.
This book is one of those rare treats you won’t want to end. Skillfully written, humorous, and emotionally rich — you will laugh often and cry when it ends. Enjoy!
Slow at the beginning … but you’ll fall in love with Ove!
Entirely real, relatable characters. Makes you feel more seen for having read it.
A great read is one that brings laughter, tears, and all the ‘feels’— then stays with you . This is that type of book– it put me in mind of the Disney film,”Up”. Slices from the life of a cranky, cynical older man who is the definition of ‘solid and unchanging’. A wonderful, heartwarming audio-book.
This is such a clever book, leading the reader on a path they don’t expect, and thoroughly entertaining them along the way. It’s the story of the very quirky and law-abiding (to the point of annoyance) Ove, and the people in his immediate neighbourhood. No one likes him, he doesn’t like anybody else, but soon the neighbourhood and Ove are going to realise they need each other in ways they could never have imagined. It’s hilarious, poignant, serious, thought-provoking, and a complete joy from start to finish.
I listened to the audiobook of this novel. This was my first novel by this author. I did not know what to expect since it was a European novel. It was such a beautiful story of finding love in unexpected places and ways. Ove was a lonely man that thought he his love had died with his wife. However, when is neighbors move in with their new age ways, unexpected visits, with foreign food and loving children, he learns there is always more love to give. I laughed, I thought deeply and I cried, a lot. The movie was good, but not as good as the novel. Fredrik Backman is now on my list of “must read” authors.