A review by elly29
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

It was fine. A little sad, with an obstinate character (whose obstinacy in part causes him more hardship than is necessary). Some of it also felt like the "old man" version of Bella Swan syndrome ("I'm such a klutz, but for some reason all the boys like me idk hahaha" -- in this case, I'm a grump but people still like me anyway and I do carpentry and like Saabs). And then he also merited one woman's love, and she sees something on him the rest of the world can't see. (Lil eyeroll here.)

To be fair, there were moments where one had to be paying attention to get the most out of it. And I was often listening while preoccupied. Ove really did have a good heart, and a heart in grief and pain often lashes out or withdraws into itself. 

Again, fine. And he didn't know how to write a cat. 

CW: suicide and liberal suicidal ideation.
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