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A review by sauvageloup
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
3.75
Overall, very well-written and poignant, just hit a few personal sore points for me.
Pros:
- Ove definitely grows on the reader in a fully complete and lovable person. I was worried initially that I was going to completely dislike him in the first chapter, but though he stays totally grumpy, his generosity is enough to make him likable. His character is also helped explained by the flashbacks to his past, which were well handled and enjoyable.
- All the side characters were probably my favourite, with Parvanah, Jimmy, Rune, Anita, etc. They were all really well developed and played perfectly into Ove's narrative. Their emotions and actions made up for his suppressed emotions and passivity.
- Despite Ove being a backwards grump, the book makes it clear that that's no reason for a decent person to be homophobic or racist, or ableist either, even if he doesn't have the words for it.
- It was also satisfying how the narrative looped back round. Partly with Ove accepting the use of the internet to get back at the council bloke, and also him buying an iPad for Parvanah's daughter.
Cons:
- I found the suicidal bits very uncomfortable. Which, like, duh. But I didn't feel like they had as much gravity as they should have. Ove's POV plays everything down, but I never felt like the book validated how awful his suicidal intent was. Parvanah makes a comment once about 'we all know how terrible Ove is at dying!', making it clear she did know he was trying to kill himself and yet she never addressed it.
- I felt like there was some fatphobia against Jimmy. Just the descriptions of him felt off.
- The book's pace was also a little slow. Which isn't really a bad thing, it suits the story and how it was told and Ove's character, but it didn't make me rush to the finish.
Overall, a very well crafted book. But it would probably hit even better with someone who wasn't me.
Pros:
- Ove definitely grows on the reader in a fully complete and lovable person. I was worried initially that I was going to completely dislike him in the first chapter, but though he stays totally grumpy, his generosity is enough to make him likable. His character is also helped explained by the flashbacks to his past, which were well handled and enjoyable.
- All the side characters were probably my favourite, with Parvanah, Jimmy, Rune, Anita, etc. They were all really well developed and played perfectly into Ove's narrative. Their emotions and actions made up for his suppressed emotions and passivity.
- Despite Ove being a backwards grump, the book makes it clear that that's no reason for a decent person to be homophobic or racist, or ableist either, even if he doesn't have the words for it.
- It was also satisfying how the narrative looped back round. Partly with Ove accepting the use of the internet to get back at the council bloke, and also him buying an iPad for Parvanah's daughter.
Cons:
- I found the suicidal bits very uncomfortable. Which, like, duh. But I didn't feel like they had as much gravity as they should have. Ove's POV plays everything down, but I never felt like the book validated how awful his suicidal intent was. Parvanah makes a comment once about 'we all know how terrible Ove is at dying!', making it clear she did know he was trying to kill himself and yet she never addressed it.
- I felt like there was some fatphobia against Jimmy. Just the descriptions of him felt off.
- The book's pace was also a little slow. Which isn't really a bad thing, it suits the story and how it was told and Ove's character, but it didn't make me rush to the finish.
Overall, a very well crafted book. But it would probably hit even better with someone who wasn't me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Grief, Death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Terminal illness, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Homophobia, Medical content, Ableism, and Fatphobia
The suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts are frequent through the book and a 'plot point', for want of a better word. Proceed with caution.