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fogg_asphyx's review
- 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
Moderate: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Sexism, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Forced institutionalization, Animal cruelty, Death, Cancer, Outing, Homophobia, Racism, Miscarriage, Violence, Medical content, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
starlitpage's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Pregnancy, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Dementia, Car accident, Death, Terminal illness, and Fatphobia
Minor: Child death, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Alcohol
trippalli's review
- 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
Moderate: Terminal illness, Car accident, and Child death
caseyf's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Infertility, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Car accident, Grief, and Terminal illness
hellyeahunicorn's review
- 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: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Miscarriage and Car accident
Minor: Misogyny
idk_indigo'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's the type of girl to insist he's not helpful, he just thinks you're doing it wrong, but it's okay he will do it for you (but only because he knows that otherwise you won't be able to do it properly, it's not for helping purposes, it's really not).
One of my favorite books of the year methinks! I 🫶 Ove, slay you grumpy but generous king 👑
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Outing, Miscarriage, Car accident, Cancer, and Death
Suicide attempt is detailed, but not in a triggering wayeggfartz'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: Grief, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Cancer, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
saskia_ej'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, Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Medical content, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Death, Dementia, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
w0rldofab00kw0rm'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, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Miscarriage, and Car accident
Minor: Homophobia
astoriareader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
- 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.”
- 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.
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Miscarriage
Minor: Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Fatphobia, and Car accident