A Man Called Ove By Fredrik Backman
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.
This one was on my TBR for what felt like forever! Several people recommended I read it, but it wasn’t until my bookclub picked it that I actually got around to reading it.
I loved this book from the moment I read the first chapter head. I felt instantly in love with Ove and had a hard time putting it down. In the paraphrased words of my boyfriend the first night I picked it up:
“I thought you said you were just going to read for a little bit before bed.”
“I did read for a little bit!”
“Babe, it’s been an hour.”
Oopsie. Sorry love!
It is a rare book that legitimately makes me laugh out loud. Most of the time, a funny section of the book only elicits a smile from me. I laughed multiple times during my reading of A Man Called Ove, the kind of real, bellyshakin’ laugh that brings tears to your eyes.
Cat Annoyance.
It still makes me laugh! I have two Cat Annoyances myself and I have to say the author perfectly captured the nature of cats.
In fact, every single character from Ove to the Cat Annoyance to the Pregnant One was absolutely amazing and so well characterized. I wish I could read a whole series about these people!
If you’re on the fence about reading this one, do it. It’s a rare jewel among the sea of books out there.
Has anyone watched the movie? I am wondering if it loves up to the pure wonder and delight of the book. Leave me a comment if you’ve seen the movie or read this book or both!
