A review by uyeb
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

3.0

here’s the thing. this book was just decent. i was hoping and hoping for some life changing moment that would make me love this book but honestly nothing happened like that. it was sad at the end, i’ll give y’all that, but the rest of the book just basically details the sad life of a lonely old man. and that’s fine, but just not really for me. however, i understand that there is some depth here in understanding how and why death affects people but also how lively human interaction can affect people.
but the ending seems to completely negate that? what’s the point of proving that human interaction is so important and life changing and beautiful if the end result of character  growth is death? it’s an arc i will never understand. and it’s possible i’m missing something but. what is the something? i also have to wonder if the terribleness of ove’s character (ie not grumpiness but the homophobia, xenophobia, fatphobia, etc) can be looked over because he’s of a different generation, that’s part of his flaws, and because it’s an in-book flaw (meaning the author is essentially acknowledging that it’s a bad thing and that the main character isn’t good for thinking that way. i think this is super important bc smth like sexism in a book is totally fine if you’re making the sexist character a bad person. but not saying it’s bad makes it problematic, ya know?). but i’m not positive that’s what’s happening here. it more seems like his flaws like those are being written off as unimportant or just a given? so i wonder then if these things not being fixed over the course of the book mean that ove’s character growth is not as consistent as one might otherwise think? or perhaps that he’s never a good person and maybe the ending makes sense? i’m so so lost and i’m confusing myself help
but basically this is pretty wholesome and i like the writing but i’m a bit confused for a number of reasons. maybe it’s a book to reread in 10 years. also, yes, i cried a little. and it was kinda like a ‘why why why how does this make sense’ lol if that encourages you to read this. this review is absolute nonsense wow i’m making no coherent points. :)
Expand filter menu Content Warnings