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gpfot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Dementia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
riannamarie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Okay so this was just a little bit heart-warming. I lived in Norway for a year and whenever I read/watch any form of media from a Scandanavian country it makes me feel at home. Koselig is a Norwegian word that doesn't have a direct English translation. It is a feeling of cosiness, contentment and warmth. It evokes feelings of intimacy and finding joy in the little things in life. Somehow this book manages to be koselig, heart-wrenching and hopeful all at the same time.
The book is about Ove who is a 59 year old gentlemen who is often perceived as a grumpy old man but there is much more to him beneath the surface than what the outside world perceives. Underneath his grumpy facade is deep loneliness and profound grief. You slowly grow to love Ove as his layers are peeled back throughout the story. The way you warm to him as the reader mirrors how the people in Ove's neighbourhood warm to him throughout the book as they transform from strangers to valued friends.
The descriptions of Ove's relationship with Sonia were beautifully described. Their love and the emptiness Ove feels upon the loss warmed my heart but also brought me to tears. This book explored what it meant to mourn someone you love and what it means to mourn the part of yourself that only they could bring out of you.
It is not a 5 star read for me purely based on the fact that it never pulled me in to the point where I couldn't put it down. Everytime I picked it up I thoroughly enjoyed the experience but I wasn't obsessed. This is probably because it is a story of comically mundane happenings in a neighbourhood, with artfully crafted characters. I will certainly be reading other books by Fredrik Backman.
The book is about Ove who is a 59 year old gentlemen who is often perceived as a grumpy old man but there is much more to him beneath the surface than what the outside world perceives. Underneath his grumpy facade is deep loneliness and profound grief. You slowly grow to love Ove as his layers are peeled back throughout the story. The way you warm to him as the reader mirrors how the people in Ove's neighbourhood warm to him throughout the book as they transform from strangers to valued friends.
The descriptions of Ove's relationship with Sonia were beautifully described. Their love and the emptiness Ove feels upon the loss warmed my heart but also brought me to tears. This book explored what it meant to mourn someone you love and what it means to mourn the part of yourself that only they could bring out of you.
It is not a 5 star read for me purely based on the fact that it never pulled me in to the point where I couldn't put it down. Everytime I picked it up I thoroughly enjoyed the experience but I wasn't obsessed. This is probably because it is a story of comically mundane happenings in a neighbourhood, with artfully crafted characters. I will certainly be reading other books by Fredrik Backman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death
uh_havey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death and Miscarriage
Minor: Car accident
onthesamepage's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought I'd get through this book without letting it get to me, but the ending got me after all.
I have a real appreciation for the character work Backman does in his books, and Ove was no exception. The voice the author gave him is full of unintentional humor. He cares so much for people and takes their needs into consideration, even while constantly saying and thinking that he doesn't care and that everyone should stop bothering him and leave him to die in peace. I enjoyed his interactions with the different people and pets that forced themselves into his life, but I guess the cat will be my favourite.
Sad, but also really heartwarming.
I have a real appreciation for the character work Backman does in his books, and Ove was no exception. The voice the author gave him is full of unintentional humor. He cares so much for people and takes their needs into consideration, even while constantly saying and thinking that he doesn't care and that everyone should stop bothering him and leave him to die in peace. I enjoyed his interactions with the different people and pets that forced themselves into his life, but I guess the cat will be my favourite.
Sad, but also really heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death
ktrobbins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
cpreeta6's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Please check the content warnings before reading the book. There is mention of them in the following review.
I have no words. I had to space my reading out, quite a bit, as the material was emotional and heavy. However, I finally took it up today and finished it. That was the perfect way it could've ended. The writing flows beautifully, in a way that I flew through the pages. Only the content made me pause and think, if I could take it at the time.
I DNFed the book last year as I believe that a book is best enjoyed with the right mindset, and it should never put you in a depressive mood. When required, put the book down, and go about your life. It will still be waiting for you with open arms when you feel like you can return to it.
I never thought, following an old man's life would feel so touching to me. Ove is a grumpy, unfriendly man who always needs some tinkering to do. He needs the rules to be followed. He is a man who loves his wife very much.
The different conversations that can be had regarding the book are manifold. The mental alacrity of certain characters and their actions can sometimes only be understood in hindsight. The book tackles loss of a loved one and grieving, and many more issues that can tug at your heartstrings.
Ultimately, it is not a book you pick up lightly. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. It will take you on a rollercoaster or emotions, and you will be angry at the powerlessness of normal people against bureaucracy. Be warned, it is a melancholy, yet beautiful book.
I have no words. I had to space my reading out, quite a bit, as the material was emotional and heavy. However, I finally took it up today and finished it. That was the perfect way it could've ended. The writing flows beautifully, in a way that I flew through the pages. Only the content made me pause and think, if I could take it at the time.
I DNFed the book last year as I believe that a book is best enjoyed with the right mindset, and it should never put you in a depressive mood. When required, put the book down, and go about your life. It will still be waiting for you with open arms when you feel like you can return to it.
I never thought, following an old man's life would feel so touching to me. Ove is a grumpy, unfriendly man who always needs some tinkering to do. He needs the rules to be followed. He is a man who loves his wife very much.
The different conversations that can be had regarding the book are manifold. The mental alacrity of certain characters and their actions can sometimes only be understood in hindsight. The book tackles loss of a loved one and grieving, and many more issues that can tug at your heartstrings.
Ultimately, it is not a book you pick up lightly. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. It will take you on a rollercoaster or emotions, and you will be angry at the powerlessness of normal people against bureaucracy. Be warned, it is a melancholy, yet beautiful book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child death, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
emmabunny's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- 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
i wish i could give this more than five stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Grief, and Suicide attempt
megashleyx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
mollywoods18's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
aunt_b's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- 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 cried my way through this story. There's more language than I typically would read, but the characters kept me engaged.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Bullying