Scan barcode
anastashamarie'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 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.
Graphic: Grief, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Terminal illness, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Fatphobia, Death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Infertility, and Misogyny
torismazarine'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
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Cursing, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Cancer, Child death, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug use, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Violence
ashteroid'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: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Child death, Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Islamophobia, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Racism, and Racial slurs
jhbandcats'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
4.25
Ove’s facade cracks as he learns to care for those around him, from taking the clutzy neighbor with broken limbs to the hospital to rescuing a stranger who interrupts his own failed suicide attempt. Over the course of the book, Ove’s heart opens up and he’s able to appreciate his life again. The meddling neighbors and the beat-up tomcat were the best things that could have ever happened to him.
The irascibility was grating at times but it was tempered by the bittersweet backstory of Ove’s youth. This book has been made into two movies, the excellent Swedish version and the eminently serviceable Hollywood remake. The book, of course, shows far more depth - definitely worth reading.
Graphic: Car accident, Fatphobia, Grief, Miscarriage, Body shaming, Death, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, Infertility, Medical content, and Pregnancy
arshiya_amreen90786'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
4.75
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Death, Pregnancy, and Suicide
Moderate: Chronic illness, Outing, Cancer, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, and Car accident
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child death, Dementia, Infertility, and Fire/Fire injury
chrisljm'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
4.5
The relationships in this novel was truly the best part for me. I loved reading about Ove's newfound relationship with his neighbors, and slowly seeing the ones he had in the past. He is very much a grumpy old man where despite how much he tries to fight them, a friendship and community can't help but form between him and his neighbors. It's hilarious seeing him try to beef with children, but the way they bonded with each other tugged on my heart.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Grief, Medical content, Pregnancy, Death, Child death, Car accident, Ableism, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Dementia
Moderate: Homophobia, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Violence, Drug use, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail
cady_sass'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
4.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death, Self harm, Car accident, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Medical content, Miscarriage, Cancer, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
laurataylor'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: Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Animal cruelty, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Grief, Homophobia, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Medical content
cc_shelflove'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
4.0
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia
greyys_libraryy'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: Grief, Ableism, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Child death, Cancer, and Car accident
Minor: Violence and Terminal illness