evander_og's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, Homophobia, Infertility, and Chronic illness
_grmlin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
a man called the ove and the reader who cried
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Cancer
amys_hygge_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Fredrik Backman is an author I have wanted to read for a while now. And with the recent movie adaptation, I decided A Man Called Ove would be my first Backman book to read.
The Story 📚
This story is heavily character driven around the protagonist - a man called Ove. Ove is described as a grumpy old man, but really he is just a stubborn man set in his ways, who appreciates routine, Saab cars, and getting on with life. We find out more about Ove’s past and present in a split timeline, to discover the ways his world has changed over the years, as well as the special love story between him and Sonja. But with the arrival of new neighbours and a stray cat in his housing estate, Ove’s world takes new directions he didn’t think were possible at that time of his life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I adored this book! Honestly, we all know someone like Ove! For me, that made the character so much more relatable and imaginable. Also, as the story is set in a Swedish town, I really enjoyed the Scandinavian references that brought to the environment to life for me.
In so many ways the book is so beautifully simple. It’s not overly complicated, and is an easy read for anyone. Ove’s character doesn’t need that! It is the kind of book I would happily recommend to anyone. I am even trying to convince my boyfriend to read it - he doesn’t read but I know he’d love the character and Ove’s mannerisms just as much as I did.
I cried so much at the end of this book. It really is going to stick with me. I’m really looking forward to seeing the two film adaptations, the older Swedish language version, and the newer American made one starring Tom Hanks. Honestly, I’m skeptical of the American one. Is Tom the right fit for Ove, and how will the perfect Swedish setting translate to America? Will let you know my thoughts after I have watched them both!
The Story 📚
This story is heavily character driven around the protagonist - a man called Ove. Ove is described as a grumpy old man, but really he is just a stubborn man set in his ways, who appreciates routine, Saab cars, and getting on with life. We find out more about Ove’s past and present in a split timeline, to discover the ways his world has changed over the years, as well as the special love story between him and Sonja. But with the arrival of new neighbours and a stray cat in his housing estate, Ove’s world takes new directions he didn’t think were possible at that time of his life.
The Review 👩🏻💻
I adored this book! Honestly, we all know someone like Ove! For me, that made the character so much more relatable and imaginable. Also, as the story is set in a Swedish town, I really enjoyed the Scandinavian references that brought to the environment to life for me.
In so many ways the book is so beautifully simple. It’s not overly complicated, and is an easy read for anyone. Ove’s character doesn’t need that! It is the kind of book I would happily recommend to anyone. I am even trying to convince my boyfriend to read it - he doesn’t read but I know he’d love the character and Ove’s mannerisms just as much as I did.
I cried so much at the end of this book. It really is going to stick with me. I’m really looking forward to seeing the two film adaptations, the older Swedish language version, and the newer American made one starring Tom Hanks. Honestly, I’m skeptical of the American one. Is Tom the right fit for Ove, and how will the perfect Swedish setting translate to America? Will let you know my thoughts after I have watched them both!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Dementia, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
touchoflilac's review against another edition
dark
funny
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
bridgetkay's review against another edition
Did not finish. Could not finish. I got more enjoyment reading the 1-star reviews for this book.
The character is problematic as all hell and I really have no interest in a story centred on a white man who’s surrounded by people who aren’t white men as supporting characters to some kind of redemption arc. Any time I attempted to read this, it put me in a bad mood. So for self care purposes, I will not be finishing this.
The character is problematic as all hell and I really have no interest in a story centred on a white man who’s surrounded by people who aren’t white men as supporting characters to some kind of redemption arc. Any time I attempted to read this, it put me in a bad mood. So for self care purposes, I will not be finishing this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Fredrik Backman is fast cementing his position as one of my all-time favourite authors. I've read four of his books, the Beartown trilogy and Ove, and I have adored every single one. And Ove in particular, like Benji in Beartown, has all of my heart.
Ove's story is as heartbreaking as it is delightful, but the beauty in it just shines through and paints everything in a hopeful light. It seems clear from early on that the universe wants him to stick around for a while, no matter how great the inconvenience. The writing is incredible and gives brilliant insight into Ove's curmudgeonly mind. He sees things in black and white, and his irrefutable logic is as hilarious as it is infuriating. Even the chapter names made me smile.
Ove is also not the only wonderful thing about this book; where Backman shines is how he creates an entire community of stunning characters. Parvaneh, Jimmy, Rune and everyone Ove encounters just enhance everything. I laughed out loud more than once, and cried plenty too. I was so enamoured that I went to see the film a few hours after finishing the book. It's one I know I will revisit, and definitely one I will now be recommending to anyone who hasn't already met a man called Ove.
Ove's story is as heartbreaking as it is delightful, but the beauty in it just shines through and paints everything in a hopeful light. It seems clear from early on that the universe wants him to stick around for a while, no matter how great the inconvenience. The writing is incredible and gives brilliant insight into Ove's curmudgeonly mind. He sees things in black and white, and his irrefutable logic is as hilarious as it is infuriating. Even the chapter names made me smile.
Ove is also not the only wonderful thing about this book; where Backman shines is how he creates an entire community of stunning characters. Parvaneh, Jimmy, Rune and everyone Ove encounters just enhance everything. I laughed out loud more than once, and cried plenty too. I was so enamoured that I went to see the film a few hours after finishing the book. It's one I know I will revisit, and definitely one I will now be recommending to anyone who hasn't already met a man called Ove.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Chronic illness, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy
vegabela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Fatphobia, Dementia, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Grief, Child death, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Cancer
Minor: Ableism and Homophobia
sarasreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
It's a slow building story that was fine and good, and then by the end I was in tears. I'm not mad at all that this is my first Backman. I am definitely going to read more of his work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Miscarriage
bites_of_books's review against another edition
The main character is unbearable, from the start he is making all kinds of awful remarks about everyone who is even a little bit different from him. He calls his neighbor "foreign" another "overweight", he takes zero effort in getting to know people as people. I imagined that this could be a book like the movie Up, where the man is unlikeable but will not always have been that way, instead, it's just how he's been his whole life. It was unfortunate that the author gave zero respite to Ove to be able to become a multidimensional character instead of just flat and awful.
Overall just not for me at all.
Spoiler
The only way he was able to continue living was by his neighbors literally forcing themselves into his life. Also, the people who go in to "rescue" him and make him better are either POC or disabled or a cat.Overall just not for me at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Sexism, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Fatphobia, and Death of parent
torigiblinjones's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Miscarriage, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Car accident
Minor: Homophobia