A review by eebluee
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Building community and relationships is the key to happiness and meaning, this novel says and proves. The characters create a hopeful and cooperative world, and the "grumpy old man with a heart of gold" persona is written beautifully (and hilariously!) here.

Ove also feel like a character on the autism spectrum, even slightly beyond reality - so big was his willingness to fix/build anything around him (even on vacation). A nice exploration of suicidal ideation, especially following such all-encompassing grief. Great writing style, great translation, will be happy to read more novels by Backman.

Ove's death at the end felt bittersweet, yet it was easy to accept - he did so much for the people around him that his legacy felt cemented no matter what.


(also much better than the movie, read this instead)
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