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elzmri'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
5.0
This book had me laughing and crying. Blackman has a way of using his lexical choices to reflect the personality of the protagonist; what I mean is that even though it is in third person, it still holds Ove’s vibe. [I’ve stayed up all night and I’m tired so please excuse my attempts at explaining myself].
The characters have so much depth, and so diverse- Blackman even gives Cat Annoyance its own meaningful personality.
Ove reminded me of my grandad- I think that’s why it had me sobbing at the end.
The translator has also done a fantastic job- even though it is Swedish, it has a universal familiarity that I think everyone can relate to, no matter where you’re from.
I don’t often read contemporary novels, but this one has quickly become a favourite. I’ve already bought Anxious People and My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologies; I appreciate Backman’s writing style, which isn’t oversimplified in a way that most modern novels tend to be.
I’d love to read more about Parveneh’s life…
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Fire/Fire injury
almaprincess66'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
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Homophobia
orchidlilly'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? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Racism, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
chiara_dose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
emklem'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: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia and Miscarriage
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Terminal illness, and Pregnancy
lainey_sherman3'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: Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cancer
mbrogs2024'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
3.75
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia and Violence
hkveit'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
4.5
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Cancer, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Car accident
katlinstirling_reads'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? N/A
4.0
Pick at Bookclub
Narrator - Joan Walker
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
palis'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
Favorite quotes
But if anyone had asked, he would have told them that he never lived before he met her. And not after either.
And so the days went by. Ove would go to work, come home and have potatoes and sausages for dinner. He was never lonely. And he never had company.
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cancer and Miscarriage