A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman / probably one of my most favorite novels

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

So, it shouldn’t be difficult to imagine, but this novel is probably one of my all time favorite books. I’m a BIG fan of grumpy characters, and Ove is the epitome of a grump, with a BIG heart, but still a grump. And the book makes me cry every time I read it.

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A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. 

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 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 Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

MY THOUGHTS

So, I just recently re-read this book, and I decided to listen to the audiobook again, since that’s the format I fell in love with – so many years ago. And since I decided to re-read it, I thought it’s time to finally write a proper review for the blog.

The first time I met Ove was on July 1, 2016. The book was a recommendation from a friend. And all I can say is that I was utterly smitten with it.

At that time (2016) I had no idea who the author was, and although I knew I loved grumpy characters, I was not prepared for how easily and deeply I would fall in love with this book, with Ove, but also with the author’s writing.

Since then I’ve read quite a few of Backman’s books, but Ove is still my most favorite of all.

So, let’s talk about the book:

What I loved the most about this book were the friendships that started between Ove and the other characters. Didn’t matter who it was neighbors, kids, cat – slowly Ove opened up. His life became fuller with each friendship, although he was most reluctant about it. Nevertheless it was heart warming to see the difference in him, these friendships gave him purpose.

When I say Ove was an utter grump, I mean it. He was loud, blunt, borderline mean, straight forward, and he spoke his mind with glee. He hated change. Instead he loved order and purpose. And deep down he was someone that needed to be of service. He needed to have a purpose in life, and taking care of people is what he was best at, that and fixing cars, and other stuff.

My heart became a puddle of goo when more and more people (and a cat) wormed their way into Ove’s heart.

But it also broke into a million pieces during the epilogue.

Ove’s brash demeanor was such a contrast to everyone’s around him, that the slowly developing friendships made for the most entertaining and heart-warming novel.

So it’s official, that even after four years I still loved this book as much as I did the first time. And without a doubt, Ove will always have spot on my keeper shelf, and I’ll be always recommending it, because, no surprise here, it’s one of the most endearing feel good novels of all times.

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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman