Fredrick BackmanLiterary Fiction · Contemporary Literature
A Man Called Ove
Synopsis
Ove is a man of strict routine, a retired craftsman who has spent years quietly grieving his wife's death by becoming increasingly bitter and isolated. When a boisterous new neighbor and her family move in next door, his carefully controlled world begins to unravel in unexpected ways. Told through a darkly comic, first-person narrative that alternates between the present and the past, the novel reveals the warmth and love beneath Ove's gruff exterior, and the impact of the people around him on his outlook on life.
How it reads
- Writing5.0
- Impact5.0
- Characters5.0
- Plot5.0
- Atmosphere5.0
Prose complexity 1/10
Content warnings (1)
Death Of A Parent
Readers say (1)Moderate · Light · Heartwarming · Funny · Melancholic
Readers flagged (1)
Suicide
- I'M SOBBING!!
- 1000000/10 It broke the scale cause this is an actual masterpiece. Love the author's writing. Love the story. Ove is a grumpy old man and honestly, neither I disagree with this kind of behaviour nor I can actually tolerate it in real life but he's an old man. But knowing he's just grumpy, not mean so I really think I can survive with him. I think of him as my grandfather. Though, I never get to meet them actually. Both my mother's and father's. Reading his story broke my heart. His love for Sonja is unconditionally just makes me loves him more. He feels irritating when someone interfering in his life but as time passes, he just let it be cause he'd think of how Sonja would actually acts in those particular situation if she was there with him. To think that he gets along with everyone he had interaction with in the past makes me cried ever harder. I loved, just loved this old man so much. I'd really like him to become my grandfather. Is it bad to say that I really longed for a grandfather? I wanted to be loved by an actual father figure. I think GRANDFATHER ACTS MORE LIKE FATHER FIGURE TO HIS GRANDDAUGHTER than an actual father. Well, this is my opinion. I dont like that he's dead. I mean of course that's what he's been waiting for. To die peacefully so that he can finally be with the love of his life, Sonja. The last two chapters, ch38 and ch39 deserved to be tattooed in my heart. If I someday get this book physically, there would be so many things to quotes and to be tab with sticky pad. I'll for sure get this book at the nearest store or get online, less pricey.
- The story of a grumpy not-so-old man (59) who 've just lost his beloved wife and seeks to meet her in heavens as soon as he can. And then life gets in the way... <br><br>Backman takes a theme that could be very easily presented as something really dull, sugary or just boring, and creates instead a deep story, full of humor, profound understanding of the human condition, social and national commentary, and even suspense. And all of these in a marvellous and vivid prose that doesn't seem pretentious even when the writer uses some of the most peculiar similes I've ever read.<br><br>In the end, of course is a "feel-good" book, but if all feel-good books were like this one, then the label would have less negative connotations surely.
- Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove is yet another testament to his exceptional storytelling prowess. While it didn’t capture me quite as intensely as the Beartown series, it was still a remarkable, heartfelt read. Backman has this uncanny ability to create characters that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book, and this story is no exception.<br><br>The heart and humor in this book are unmatched. Ove himself is unforgettable, as is the cast of quirky neighbors—and of course, the cat. (Seriously, the cat deserves its own shout-out.) This book further cements Backman as one of my favorite authors. Few can write with as much depth, emotion, and subtle humor as he does. Highly recommend!
- If it's a book about a middle aged grumpy or quirky character, SIGN ME UP PLEASE. GIVE THEM ALL TO MEeee. I knew I'd come to love Mr Ove 10 pages into the book. And he did made me fell in love with him and cared so much for him too. His relationship with Parvaneh and the family made me laughed out loud hysterically. And I'm glad they proved to be a good companion for him. I do think it was over written though, and became boring most times.
- Oh Ove ! You grumpus grumpity grumpy grump ! <br><br>Such a lovely book! <br><br>Narrated beautifully in a third person , silently hovering - style of writing. I felt like I was inside the book- if that even makes sense. <br>
- Don't get me wrong, I cried my eyes near the end. But that's all it was to it. I liked the story, the back and forth. But the writing itself was very plain. I'm still glad I read it though.
- Unique and satisfying book in which the main character works his way into your heart. Enjoyed it!
- 4.5