frankie Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I don't remember how A Man Called Ove ended up on my wishlist, but when I found a copy of the novel at the library yesterday, I had to start reading it next. And it's been a real pleasure, and I've been laughing out loud a lot! Here's the synopsis from Amazon: * In this bestselling and delightfully quirky debut novel from Sweden, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. * There's something very lovable in Ove the curmudgeon. The novel starts with him being in a shop, holding an iPad and waving it around in the air, asking the clerk if it's a computer. The clerk has a hard time trying to explain to him what an iPad is and how maybe he would be comfortable with some other kind of computer. Some of the chapters follow Ove's current every day life, and others tell us his background and story and how he's come up to the point in his life where he now stands. It's funny, and it's endearing and heart-warming. I'd heartily recommend it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted November 9, 2014 Share Posted November 9, 2014 Sounds like a good read. It has gone straight onto the wishlist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 9, 2014 Author Share Posted November 9, 2014 I hope you like the book when you get to it, bobbly! I actually just thought about the book yesterday and thought I wanted to come back to this thread and say that after finishing the book some days ago, I still loved it as much as when I started the thread. It was a real feel good book, it made me laugh and it made me sad, too. A book that will stand a re-read in the future, I'm sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emelee Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 As a Swede, I can say that this novel has been a top seller. It's up there with The 100-year-old man who climbed out the window and disappeared. I still have not read either of them. I have them both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted November 10, 2014 Author Share Posted November 10, 2014 Personally I prefer A Man Called Ove, the story was more cohesive. With the 100yo Man I sometimes got confused and bored with all the history bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 I've just read Fredrik Backman's book Britt-Marie kävi täällä (which would translate as Britt-Marie Was Here) and I loved it very much! There's one other book by the author that's been translated into English, I haven't read it yet but here it is: My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abir Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 The title of the book I am currently reading is " A man called Ove ". Who else has read this book or is currently reading this book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Quite a few people here have read it, including me. I thought it was very good. My Mum has read another one of his too, and was a bit disappointed. I think I have one on my Kindle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abir Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 So far I am enjoying the book as well :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the book! We already have a topic on the subject, you can find it here. I know other people have read the book, too, but they've not commented on the thread so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willoyd Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 For an alternative view on the book, see this set of reviews! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 12 hours ago, frankie said: We already have a topic on the subject, you can find it here. I know other people have read the book, too, but they've not commented on the thread so far. Topics merged . I have A Man Called Ove on my TBR (to-be-read), but I haven't read it yet. I do plan to read it some day though. I'm glad you're enjoying it, Abir . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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