A review by shamelesslyintroverted
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

5.0

 This is the second book I’ve read by Fredrik Backman, and I think I’m obsessed with him. A Man Called Ove is an ode to the curmudgeons in the world, the grumpy old men who think they know everything. 

 

After losing his wife, Ove decides he no longer wants to be here. This is a book about several suicide attempts, all of which are rudely interrupted. Ultimately, this is a story about loss and the power of building relationships with other people. The blurb by People on the cover is accurate: I laughed, I cried, and I do feel like I have a deeper understanding of the curmudgeons in my life. 

 

Ove is one of those characters that will stick with me for a long time and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it. A huge thank you to Hanning Koch for translating this masterpiece and making it accessible for all of us English speakers. 

 

I think I’m going to make my husband sit down and watch this movie with me tonight. I hope Tom Hanks does him justice.