A Man Called Ove

I adored this book. So much.

It was a lighter read which was really nice since the overall theme of the book could be a little heavy.

Ove is a widowed old curmudgeon of a man who is very abrasive and unlikeable to most when they first meet him. And he wants to end his life to be with his wife again. And all the pesky neighbors keep getting in the way.

This book was very much like an onion. Backman did a great job of peeling back the layers of Ove throughout the book so you could start to see how he thinks and that he's not just the cranky man he has the reputation for being.

I laughed a lot through this book. And cried at the end.

I have given this book many hugs.

A delightful book that is a perfect holiday read. Had me laughing out loud and crying throughout.

After reading the first two chapters of this book, which I'd been meaning to read for quite some time, and which so many people had recommended to me--I was afraid that it would be a dull book about a man I didn't much like. But I persisted, and am so glad I did.

This novel is simply written and presented in short vignettes which are arranged in a clever way that lets the reader see Ove from all directions. Ove had been on his own from an early age. He has known tragedy. He is a good man. He is principled, and lives his life based on those principles. He has his routines, as everyone should. And he thinks that he doesn't need other people. That is where his is wrong.

Not to worry--Ove does not hate cats. Ove especially does not hate The Cat Annoyance.

"The cat eats tuna fish twice per day and doesn't like shitting in other people's houses. Please respect that..."

One could pretty much say the same of Ove. Everyone needs a routine and, perhaps, something to complain about...I fell in love with Ove. There is sadness in his life, but also humor. The author placed these funny moments very well.

Random note: I was put in mind of the Nick Hornsby novel, About a Boy; it's also about the importance of having other people in one's life.

Anyway, I would recommend this to anyone!

A Man Called Ove is my IRL book group pick this session. I submitted it because I'd heard raves from several of my virtual book group pals. I'm so glad!

Give Ove some time to grow on you—don't give up! As is often the case, one of my favorite aspects of the book is the character/relationship development. Most of the characters are lovable, in their own way; but, it is particularly their relationships that make the story so desirable.

I didn't want the story to end; but, when it did, it was practically perfect in every way.