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A review by rubyhayes
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
This is the most heartwarming book I have read. Ove is an inflexible, rigid and principled man who comes off extremely grumpy. But over the course of this novel his character grows on you, wheedles into your heart.
The story chronicles Ove’s loneliness and grief surrounding his wife’s death. We also see commentary on the importance of community. The peripheral characters were all insanely loveable, I closed this book with puffy red eyes and tear streaked cheeks.
“‘Loving someone is like moving into a house’, Sonja used to say. ‘At first you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that this all belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you weren’t actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years the walls become weathered, the wood splinters here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather its imperfections. You get to know all the nooks and crannies. How to avoid getting the key caught in the lock when it’s cold outside. Which of the floorboards flex slightly when one steps on them or exactly how to open the wardrobe doors without their creaking. These are the little secrets that make it your home’.”
“For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”
The story chronicles Ove’s loneliness and grief surrounding his wife’s death. We also see commentary on the importance of community. The peripheral characters were all insanely loveable, I closed this book with puffy red eyes and tear streaked cheeks.
“‘Loving someone is like moving into a house’, Sonja used to say. ‘At first you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that this all belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you weren’t actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years the walls become weathered, the wood splinters here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather its imperfections. You get to know all the nooks and crannies. How to avoid getting the key caught in the lock when it’s cold outside. Which of the floorboards flex slightly when one steps on them or exactly how to open the wardrobe doors without their creaking. These are the little secrets that make it your home’.”
“For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief