Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

171 reviews

readnoot's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

4.0

Backman does a spectacular job in quickly making Ove, whose first impression is arguably terrible, a sympathetic main character for readers. A life marred by hardship is made bearable, and at times even enjoyable, through the love, acceptance, and patience of those around this layered, embittered man. It was captivating to watch Ove interact with his wife in the past and neighbors in the present, consequently evolving into a person one cannot help but develop an endeared opinion of. This was a touching story about the power of connection, strength of community, and healing nature of affection. My only critiques are based on solely personal taste. First, near the end of the novel, I was becoming a bit tired of what I felt was choppy storytelling caused by chapters coming back and forth between past and present. Second, although I recognize Ove’s ending was not necessarily a happy one, I am not the biggest fan of everyone in a story getting a happy ending just because it is nice way to finish the book. Otherwise, this was a great read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Suicide

Moderate: Pregnancy and Homophobia

Minor: Animal cruelty and Domestic abuse

fogg_asphyx's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

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 against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

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

caseyf's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Car accident, Grief, and Terminal illness

saradoxical's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

This book reminded me in turns of the movies Harold and Maude and It's a Wonderful Life. I was sold from the first chapter, when I could immediately visualize the poor Apple store employee along with Ove, shaking the box as the employee pleads with him not to. 

While this book seems like it might be dark and depressing, it's anything but. I loved Ove early on, and I love the community surrounding him.

And the cat.

Especially the cat. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, and Miscarriage

Minor: Homophobia

eggfartz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, Cancer, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness

hannasandmann's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Minor: Pregnancy and Homophobia

saskia_ej's review

challenging emotional funny reflective sad fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Medical content, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Death, Dementia, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

mariavdl'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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, and Grief

Minor: Ableism, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Misogyny, Cancer, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse

samanthabryan34's review against another edition

emotional 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? Yes

3.5

This was a solid 3.5 ⭐️ but rounding up here because I actually really liked the ending. There are so many good take-aways from this book, like there’s always more to a person than what you see at surface level. And the importance of community and belonging. But the story itself wasn’t super outstanding or memorable for me. I’m excited to go watch the movie now though!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Pregnancy