A review by funktious
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.0

I really wanted to enjoy this, but apparently I am too cynical and world weary for it to read as anything more than a Ron Swanson treatise, or a libertarian wet dream.

I wish I could just focus on the admittedly loveable characters and the small neighbourhood story being told here, but I can't help but extrapolate outwards - it's who I am. So it's great that Ron Ove was there to help
a gay teenager and a battered wife
, but as not all neighbourhoods have an Ove, maybe some "white shirts" are needed to help other people in those same situations? Maybe not all bureaucracy is inherently bad? 

I also think the translation was a bit lacking, which didn't help.

For found family and healthy masculinity go and read Still Life by Sarah Winman instead.
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