eggfartz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Cancer, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
mariavdl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Misogyny, Cancer, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
barbarella85's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Terminal illness
Minor: Homophobia
astoriareader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
- Ove is a 59 year old Swedish man, who recently lost his wife. His wife was the love of his life, and they were together for many years.
- Ove has lived in the same house in the same neighborhood for around 40 years. He’s a curmudgeon, and he likes to keep to himself.
- After losing his wife, he has been contemplating suicide. However, his suicide attempt is interrupted by his new, foreign neighbor, Parvaneh.
- “It is the leadin 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.”
- I rarely cry when reading, but I shed tears in the epilogue.
- Backman skillfully juggles comedy and tragedy. He explores a lot of deep themes: community, the impact we have on others, grief, loss, loneliness, aging, healing, love.
- Expert level character development. I enjoyed Ove’s backstory & learning about why he is who he is. I also loved his love story with his wife.
- I felt for Ove throughout the whole story. He feels like your friend, and you get to know him throughout the book.
- So many wonderful side characters throughout the story.
- Satisfying ending.
- Loved Backman’s writing style. Admittedly, this is the first one I have read by him. I am definitely going to look for more by this author.
- I loved the incorporation of the cat into the story, and I thought it was interesting to see how having a pet was clearly healthy & helpful for Ove.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Miscarriage
Minor: Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Fatphobia, and Car accident
alex1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Cancer, Car accident, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Miscarriage, Self harm, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism
anastashamarie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
🐈 I had a long wait to get this one from the library, but honestly, I'm just going to go buy it (and probably the rest of Backman's bibliography) because this book hit me in a way nothing has since I was a teenager reading John Green.
🏘️ This is an existentialist masterpiece. The writing is so simple yet so impactful. The characterizations of the whole cast are so well-rounded. It's heartbreaking and uplifting and just generally just so human. It's full of love and sorrow and so much hope. One of those stories that I think is going to stick with me forever.
🖍️ Now, if you'll excuse me while I go back to crying my eyes out. We can talk more about it later.
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia, Death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Infertility, and Misogyny
courtsport's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Fatphobia
Minor: Homophobia and Terminal illness
moonsapphire's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, and Terminal illness
pkc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Dementia, Child death, Car accident, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Outing, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts
clareasday's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Car accident, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Terminal illness, Child death, and Death