A Man Called Ove By Backman, Fredrik

Description

Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove is a brilliantly written, internationally bestselling book that mixes biting comedy, deep melancholy, and gentle hope in a way that few other books can. Ove seems like the perfect example of the “grumpy old man” stereotype: he’s a 59-year-old widower with a strict moral code, a love of rules and rituals, and a level of irritability that could make him a professional. He walks around his quiet Swedish neighborhood like a free watchman, telling people off for parking in the wrong place, making sure that recycling regulations are followed, and glaring at anyone who dares to break his sense of order.

But behind Ove’s frowns and complaints is a narrative of deep sorrow and lasting love. The book shows this through beautifully constructed flashbacks that follow his life from a lonely childhood full of tragedy to his marriage to Sonja, the warm, patient, and lively lady who was the most important person in his life. Sonja added color and joy to Ove’s orderly life. Now that she is dead, he feels lost, angry, and ready to die on his own terms.

The book starts with Ove planning his own death, which is a sad thing he does with the same obstinate precision he used to fix his Saab or keep his house clean. But life keeps getting in the way, in its own way. Parvaneh, a very lovely and hugely pregnant Iranian woman, moves in next door with her husband Patrick and their two small girls. Their first meeting is a disaster: Patrick backs their moving truck into Ove’s mailbox. Ove’s angry response may have ended the romance, but Parvaneh won’t let an old man get in her way.

What comes next is an amazing change, told in Backman’s usual mix of humor and sadness. Parvaneh’s constant generosity and the craziness of her family’s needs bring Ove out of his shell and make him face the world he has attempted to leave behind. Ove also helps several of his neighbors along the road, even if he doesn’t want to. These include a young man who needs a driving lesson, an old frenemy who is about to be evicted, and even a stray cat that won’t leave Ove alone.

Backman’s writing is great at showing the little things that make us human that we often forget about. Ove’s grumpy rants are funny, but they’re also very genuine. They’re a way for him to protect himself from the grief he can’t express. As readers learn more about his past, such how his father was quiet and dignified, how unfair his job was, and most importantly, how much he loved Sonja, it becomes impossible not to feel sorry for him, no matter how hard he tries to be.

In the end, A Man Called Ove is a narrative about how connection can change people. It means that no one is beyond hope and that the ties of community and friendship can help even those who feel completely broken. It’s a book that celebrates the beauty of everyday life and the belief that even modest acts of kindness may make a big difference.

Backman’s writing is clear and emotionally accurate, and he shows sympathy for even the worst characters. He won’t hide from the bad things in life, but he will keep saying that there is hope. Readers will laugh, cry, and leave with a new sense that it’s never too late to let others in.

About the Author

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author and columnist whose novels have become international bestsellers. Known for his humor, emotional depth, and insightful portraits of everyday people, Backman’s works—including A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, and Beartown—have been translated into dozens of languages and adapted for film and television.

Product Details

• Title: A Man Called Ove

• Author: Fredrik Backman

• ISBN-13: 9781476738024

• Publisher: Washington Square Press

• Published: May 2015 (paperback edition)

• Pages: 337

• Binding: Paperback