Author: Fredrik Backman

What can I say? I love this book! Sometimes you just find a story that hits all your emotional buttons. That’s what A Man Called Ove did for me.

Unbiased, objective, not this time. If you like a story about a curmudgeonly, old man with a heart of gold than this book is for you.  If you’ve checked out the reviews on Amazon then you know there are some people who strongly dislike this book.

I think the reason I like this book so much is because I’ve known a few Oves in my lifetime.

We learn that Ove is recently widowed and wants to put an end to his life.  He tries several times but something always prevents him from completing his task.

His wife was his whole life. We learn about his life long difficulty with people but his ease with numbers, and structure. We learn that his wife was his conduit to the world and that his irascible nature covered up a good heart.

In Ove’s eyes everyone around him is incompetent. He is self-reliant and when those around him fail at simple tasks it makes him crazy.

Slowly, he is pulled out of his depression by the people around him. He forms an expected  bond with his new neighbor over her husband’s ineptitude. He get involved with a young boy who needs help trying to impress a girl. Slowly he remembers what it’s like to be alive, to care for people again.

Eventually, we learn about the tragedy that left Ove and his wife childless and left his wife in a wheelchair.

I hope you give this novel a chance.

I give it five stars!