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A review by jasmijn
Een man die Ove heet by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-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
4.75
Loved this.
The characters are all excellent - at first most of them appear caricatures, but eventually they will all gain depth as Ove let's go of (some of) his prejudices and opinions.
Ove himself seems built out of every male family member I have. The parking money thing, always having the same car brand, mostly spending time tightening screws about the house, and most of all, loving deeply in general quietness are things I recognise from either my father or grandfather. Add my brother's grumpiness and stubbornness and there's Ove.
My grandfather isn't alive anymore, but I've often been thinking fondly of his endless cycle of new Renaults while reading this. And reading this made me thankful I get to witness the same unconditional love Ove has for his wife in my father every day.
My only irk with this book was the character Jimmy. His entire personality was basically "the fat guy" and even though he got his own backstory in the end, it didn't feel like it was just Ove's prejudiced gaze that influenced how he was written.
The characters are all excellent - at first most of them appear caricatures, but eventually they will all gain depth as Ove let's go of (some of) his prejudices and opinions.
Ove himself seems built out of every male family member I have. The parking money thing, always having the same car brand, mostly spending time tightening screws about the house, and most of all, loving deeply in general quietness are things I recognise from either my father or grandfather. Add my brother's grumpiness and stubbornness and there's Ove.
My grandfather isn't alive anymore, but I've often been thinking fondly of his endless cycle of new Renaults while reading this. And reading this made me thankful I get to witness the same unconditional love Ove has for his wife in my father every day.
My only irk with this book was the character Jimmy. His entire personality was basically "the fat guy" and even though he got his own backstory in the end, it didn't feel like it was just Ove's prejudiced gaze that influenced how he was written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Cancer, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse