A review by hardkaapi
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional funny 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? No

5.0

 

Ever so often, there comes a book that changes something in you, in this case, becomes a part of you. A seemingly innocuous plot, a 59 year old man working his way through life. That isn’t an interesting statement. Not one you would read a book on. But that’s the thing about a good book, it’s magic. How do you take a character, deemed “unlikeable” by society, a character who is literally a grumpy old man and make his journey one of the most thought provoking yet entertaining things? What stupefies me further is that this is merely a translation of the original Swedish book but the words flow as freely and naturally as they would in any other book. Backman will make you laugh at one line and sob the next. Trust me, I was in tears a minimum of five times. 

“He was a man of black and white. And she was the colour. All the colour he had” 

This book, now my all time favourite, showcases love in its purest, most unadulterated form. The type of love which is rare these days. A relationship that is built on trust and faith, no matter what. This is the kind of book that doesn’t need any disclaimer before reading it, it doesn’t belong to a particular genre of readers, it is a story that I would recommend reading whether you read a lot or you’re just starting, whether you like happy themes or something relatable. It is everything you want a book to be, and for me personally, everything I will ever need. Suffice it to say, I have found The One:)