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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
emotional
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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
This book has been on my to-read list for years. When my bookclub formed about three years ago, we were between this book and Ready Player One for our first official read. RPO won out, and for whatever reason we never went back to this. It actually became kind of a joke - when we couldn't decide on a book, we'd mention it, but then go in a different direction. I was excited when found it in my Free Little Library a few months ago and finally got around to reading it as my first book of 2022.
I enjoyed this story, but I didn't *love* it. It's a simple, sweet with lots of emotional hills and valleys, but there were parts in the middle that felt redundant. I didn't find myself eager to get back to it, which is why I think it took me so long to finish. I haven't read any other Backman books, but I think I'd be up for trying another. I also heard there is a foreign film adaptation, which I'd be interested in checking out, as I think the story would lend itself to that medium well.
I enjoyed this story, but I didn't *love* it. It's a simple, sweet with lots of emotional hills and valleys, but there were parts in the middle that felt redundant. I didn't find myself eager to get back to it, which is why I think it took me so long to finish. I haven't read any other Backman books, but I think I'd be up for trying another. I also heard there is a foreign film adaptation, which I'd be interested in checking out, as I think the story would lend itself to that medium well.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to be able to give this book a higher rating, but I just can't. It feels like so much of this book was unnecessary - how many chapters did we need about Ove and Rune going back and forth with buying new cars? It honestly felt like Backman kept writing the same chapters over and over again, which again, felt unnecessary. I did appreciate the character development of Ove from the beginning to the end of his life - his relationship with the girls was very heartfelt. I just wish this story was written a little differently.
Книгата показва интересен аспект на това да намерим смисъла на живота и причина на продължим да живеем. Заслужава си четенето, само ме дразнеха ужасно многото сравнения.
3 – 3.5 stars
This was a good book just not one that hit me as deeply as I expected. It’s clearly written to be emotional and moving, and while there was one part that made me sad, it was more because of personal stuff it brought up than the actual story.
The pacing dragged for me and then suddenly rushed at the end. I usually love found family stories, and while this had that, it didn’t give me enough of it. That said, the characters were lovely, and a few scenes actually made me laugh out loud. The ending was surprising (in a good way), and I really liked the chapter titles, narration style, and the occasional poetic lines.
Overall: a solid read. Not a new favorite, but I’d still recommend it to people who I think would connect with it more than I did.
- A Woman Named Chantè
This was a good book just not one that hit me as deeply as I expected. It’s clearly written to be emotional and moving, and while there was one part that made me sad, it was more because of personal stuff it brought up than the actual story.
The pacing dragged for me and then suddenly rushed at the end. I usually love found family stories, and while this had that, it didn’t give me enough of it. That said, the characters were lovely, and a few scenes actually made me laugh out loud. The ending was surprising (in a good way), and I really liked the chapter titles, narration style, and the occasional poetic lines.
Overall: a solid read. Not a new favorite, but I’d still recommend it to people who I think would connect with it more than I did.
- A Woman Named Chantè
I’m pleased I didn’t stop after the fourth chapter, something I was seriously contemplating. The grumpy “old” man was irritating more than entertaining and the thought that someone aged 59 is over the hill felt agist - coming from someone who’s 59. Thankfully, the book turns itself around with the help of a powerful supporting character and additional sub plots. It’s well worth making it to the end.