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bandysbooks'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
Ove is an elderly curmudgeon of a man and also a recent widower. After his wife's death, life has lost all meaning and he is walling himself off from the world around him in preparation for his own death. Things don't progress as smoothly as he'd hoped because his interfering, nosy, well-intentioned neighbors keep showing up with minor emergencies for him to resolve.
The plot concept is simple and not entirely unique. (It certainly reminds me of the movie Up by Pixar which was produced a couple years prior to this book.) That said, Backman leans into that simplicity and just tells a really good, moving story. He doesn't try to make is surprising or twisty. Instead, he builds a relationship between the reader and Ove and the cast of characters that surround him.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see this book touch on topics like ableism, ageism, xenophobia, racism, social services and homophobia. I did not expect this book to take a stance on these topics, but each one is addressed by little plot points throughout the story.
The characterization was one of my favorite parts of the book. Each character from Ove himself to the minorest of supporting characters is vibrant, alive, and realistic. Not only could I imagine the interactions that occur, but I've actually witnessed similar interactions by similar people in my own life.
If you enjoy found family tropes, grumpy old men, and an easy to enjoy style of writing, this is the book for you! Don't be put off by the hype. This one is worth it.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
alexisgarcia'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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
kottman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Violence
theonlybaillie'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: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
kristensandiego'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 and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Miscarriage and Car accident
mmalone'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: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
rachelkreadsbookz'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
5.0
Moderate: Self harm and Grief
elisweets'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 don’t want to give away any spoilers, so I’ll be limited in what I say, but I cried hard and often while reading this particular book. There was also plenty of chuckles and smiles as well. Ove is a particular man with a particular way of doing things and while in the beginning I wanted to write him off and I didn’t quite like him, by the end you really see a different side of him and life.
I highly recommend this book.
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child death, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
dunjam96'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
3.75
Minor: Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
travelthrupages'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Dementia, Car accident, and Pregnancy