Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - A Man Called Ove

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.”

MY THOUGHTS

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.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️cried in epilogue. beautifully crafted story with expert level character development.

Content Warnings

anastashamarie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

☕ Never mind me, just casually sobbing over here.

🐈 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.

Content Warnings

bellsduckquack's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

courtsport's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

A delightful book about a loveable curmudgeon. I liked the Beartown series more, but still very much enjoyed this novel by Backman. Though it would have been better without the fatphobic descriptions of his neighbour.

Content Warnings

rebekkamafia's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

aetheros's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.5

Content Warnings

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