Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - A Man Called Ove

Excellent book. Much better than the Hollywood movie adaptation.
I simply love everything about it - the writing, the pace, the dark humor, the characters.
Ove's character seem to be timeless. I imagine there will always be people who are traditionalists, strong, stubborn, loyal to the fault, and live by their principles. I don't always agree with them and their old school ways but I do admire them.

Answering reading group questions and some reflections:

I only drive Toyota - haha. Is there a bit of Ove in my character?
Ove was actually grieving for almost for the entirity of the book. Having human (and animal) to care is what got him through.
Honestly, the neighbourhood that Ove lives in is almost similar to the one I grew up in - where every one helps and bothers each other quite a lot. I sort of miss that.
Ove and Sonja have opposing communication style. This would make things difficult in real life but it seems that they have enough love hence patience with each other to go thru life challenges.
I wonder if there are actually more people like Ove in the world, doing heroic things and refusing to make a fuss.
Technology, relationships, and lifestyles kept on changing. It would be great if we can slow it down. I seriously can't imagine what life would be like say 40 years from here.

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n_heraty's review against another edition

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3.0

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michbro27's review against another edition

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5.0

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gellysam's review against another edition

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emotional

3.0

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joecago's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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michellebourke95's review against another edition

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challenging 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? It's complicated

4.5

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chronologically_charlie's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

Oh my god? Oh my god. You’re telling me this was a debut? It’s been days since I finished A Man Called Ove and I still haven’t recovered. I bought it after reading Anxious People over a year ago and it’s been sitting on my shelf. I simply couldn’t pick it up because I knew I wouldn’t like Ove.

In fact, I immediately disliked Ove — obviously. But, just as Backman intended, by the end I couldn’t imagine a different voice leading me through this journey. Ove and I share a lot. Too much. I see myself in Ove, or least…I saw myself grow from Ove. I disliked Ove — obviously — and I liked him as much as I like myself.

With simple prose and stark themes, this book is easy to consume yet each chapter presents an emotional blow.

From complex side characters to expansive backstories, the neighbourhood where Ove lives is alive with world-building.

I look forward to picking up my next Backman book very soon!

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lareine27's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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