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A Man Called Ove

Fredrik Backman

Start date: July 1, 2017

Finish date: July 31, 2017

Discussion: Monthly Group Reads

Why we're reading this: July's topic/theme is Ageism

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman…more
[close] July's topic/theme is Ageism

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

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What Members Thought

Jul 21, 2017 John Martin rated it it was amazing

If they can get away with calling a hotel in Dubai seven stars, I can't think why the star convention shouldn't be extended to books. I happily give five stars to books I really enjoy. But every now and then a book comes along that deserves to be in an even higher division. This is one of those novels. If you can get through this book without shedding tears of mirth and tears of sorrow, you are emotionally stronger than me. The book is funny, sad, uplifting and thought provoking. Somehow the aut ...more

49 likes · Like · see review

Jan 26, 2022 Joanne rated it really liked it

I know, I know - everyone else read this contemporary classic Swedish ode to unexpected friendships 5-8 years ago. So Fredrick Backman’s publisher does not need me to create buzz for this one!

But I finally read it anyway - actually, did a hybrid print/audio combination. JK Simmons, he of great character actor fame, does an amazingly curmudgeonly curmudgeon, doing Ove (pronounced Oo-Vah) justice. Maybe he probably should have gotten the lead instead of Tom Hanks in the upcoming movie adaptation. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2017 Alana rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-to-film

This was a surprisingly charming (yes, I know a lot of people keep describing it that way, but it's just a good word for it), darkly humorous book. It felt like Pixar's "Up" meets The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper, meets... something. There are some keenly poignant moments of clarity, when Ove points out inconsistencies in the world, that despite how exasperatingly exact he has to be all the time, you can't help but agree with. There are messages about family (and what family really means, be ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2017 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favourite-books, audiobook, 2017

Loved this book. The audio was especially fantastic - I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it as much in print. The narrator was wonderful. Loved all of the supporting characters and can definitely appreciate Ove's views on life: simple and profound at the same time. I can't recommend this book highly enough. ...more

1 like · Like · see review