A Man Called Ove in Audiobook Junkies

Dec 22, 2016 ☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Five reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to A Man Called Ove

Backman has this incredible gift for bringing his characters to life as he draws you into their story. His tales deal with small towns and everyday people who we soon discover anything but. Backman skillfully weaves these characters into your heart, and there they will remain for years to come.

You have to meet Ove. He is methodical, grumpy, opinionated and at the beginning of our story depressed. Backman shares Ove's story giving us Five reasons to grab your earbuds and listen to A Man Called Ove

Backman has this incredible gift for bringing his characters to life as he draws you into their story. His tales deal with small towns and everyday people who we soon discover anything but. Backman skillfully weaves these characters into your heart, and there they will remain for years to come.

You have to meet Ove. He is methodical, grumpy, opinionated and at the beginning of our story depressed. Backman shares Ove's story giving us chapters in the present as he deals with the loss of his wife and then he scatters stories of his past throughout. All of this allowed me as the reader to truly see the man. Ove made me laugh, had me recognizing similarities to my father, and made me cry. I shed both tears of joy and ones of immense sadness.

Secondary characters are fully developed adding depth and meaning to the tale. The small suburban town burst to life. He highlighted everything from homeowners associations to nosy neighbors. I loved his neighbors and the interaction between them and Ove. The banter and perfectly mundane conversations were infused with honest humor. I laughed so hard at times it brought me to tears. He sheds light on our differences and highlights what makes us the same.

Ove is at the center of the story, but it's so much more. We get to know this little community, see character growth and experience a side of humanity I want to embrace. Ove's struggles throughout the story and initiates a plan to resolve this issue. He is very through, not missing a single detail but life and his neighbors keep getting in the way. The way in which Backman had the secondary characters interfere with his plan made A Man Called Ove one of the most delightful, heartfelt books I have ever listened to. In fact, I loved it so much; I bought the hardcover edition for my bookshelf. I want to be able to spend time with these characters again.

George Newbern narrated the tale and captured Ove and this little community. The emotions, sarcasm, and awkwardness that is Ove were enhanced. I loved his voices for secondary characters including Parveneh. Who by the way was wonderful. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer ...more

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Mar 31, 2017 Eadie Burke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2017, audio-1000

Book Description
In this charming debut from one of Sweden's most successful authors, a grumpy yet lovable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.
Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon and 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 ...more

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Jan 03, 2018 Andrew rated it it was amazing

#2in2018 What a truly wonderful book that brought a whole wealth of mixed emotions, at one point you are laughing out loud and then within sentences you are crying and feel the earth has been pulled from beneath your feet! Truly a rollercoaster ride of emotions but I loved it and found it very difficult to put the book down. Just finish the book you are on and then pick up this book.

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Oct 20, 2016 GraceMyBookSnack rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, audiobook

This grumpy man’s story is written with much heart and humor!

This was my first time reading anything from Swedish author Fredrick Backman, and he won my heart with this grumpy man’s story!

The beginning of A Man Called Ove made me very curious about Ove. Why is this old man so cranky? I learned right away that he’s an old fashioned kind of guy. Ove has a preference to a certain Swedish car brand and would very much like his neighbors to just follow the rules of the community. Is that so difficult This grumpy man’s story is written with much heart and humor!

This was my first time reading anything from Swedish author Fredrick Backman, and he won my heart with this grumpy man’s story!

The beginning of A Man Called Ove made me very curious about Ove. Why is this old man so cranky? I learned right away that he’s an old fashioned kind of guy. Ove has a preference to a certain Swedish car brand and would very much like his neighbors to just follow the rules of the community. Is that so difficult? Apparently, some people can’t read signs. I also got a strong feeling that Ove is lonely. At this point I felt very sad for him, but I still wanted to know why. Then one day a new family moves into the neighborhood. Ove is extremely annoyed by this family, but he would soon find out that they were destined to meet.

This story takes place in Sweden. Fredrick Backman unfolds Ove’s backstory gradually and with much care through serious, emotional, and often funny flashbacks. I learned why Ove is the way he is now. His past is filled with meaningful moments, both loving and tragic. Yeah, I pretty much warmed up to the guy quickly as I learned more about his life. With a focus on friendship and how one man can make a significant impact in the lives of the people around him, A Man Called Ove is written with much heart and humor. This book definitely made me laugh and cry!

It was my first time listening to George Newbern, and I quickly took to his narration. I liked his various voices for the characters, seamlessly changing between male and female voices. I particularly enjoyed his voices for Ove and Parvaneh. My Swedish friend recommended this book to me. I listened to the English version, but my friend listened to this audiobook in Swedish and said her experience was quite positive!

Overall, A Man Called Ove is a truly heartfelt story. If you enjoy reads that follow the theme of fate stepping in at just the right moment, then I highly recommend this international bestseller!

Review also posted on My Book Snack. ...more

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Jun 07, 2019 Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019, contemporary, adult, fave-2019, coyer-summer-2019, coyer-summer-2019-treasure-hunt

A Man Called Ove kind of blew me away! It was such a sweet mix of nostalgia and tenderness that my heart threatened to burst at the seams! And this was even more true because Ove hid everything he was behind his grumpiness and how unapproachable he made himself seem to every person he came in contact with.
Seeing how Ove had never learnt how to deal with people, talk, or open up when he was young just made him even more lovable to me.

COYER Summer 2019 Treasure Hunt: Read a book with a man fully ...more

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Nov 30, 2016 Kimberly rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audiobooks, read-in-2016, reread-worthy

Fabulous book told in chapters which come across, initially, as short stories, alternating between Ove's (pronounced: ooo' veh, that is two syllables -- his name does NOT rhyme with stove or glove) past and Ove's present. He does, indeed, have a huge heart, though, most cannot see past his gruff, orderly, rule-abiding exterior.

If you do not know what to gift a reader, even if that reader is particularly picky or if the reader only reads 5 books a year, THIS is the book to gift them! ...more

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Aug 08, 2018 Darlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2018, translations, library, overdrive, contemporary

I've debated reading this book for years. I wasn't sure that I wanted to read a book about a disagreeable man. However, I was looking for a book in translation for one of my reading challenges and this one fit the bill. I'm so glad that I picked this up!

Ove is a cantankerous middle-aged man, whose life no longer has any purpose. His wife passed away, he was let go from his job, and there is nothing left for him but his morning rounds in the neighbourhood to ensure that everything is in order. So I've debated reading this book for years. I wasn't sure that I wanted to read a book about a disagreeable man. However, I was looking for a book in translation for one of my reading challenges and this one fit the bill. I'm so glad that I picked this up!

Ove is a cantankerous middle-aged man, whose life no longer has any purpose. His wife passed away, he was let go from his job, and there is nothing left for him but his morning rounds in the neighbourhood to ensure that everything is in order. So, Ove makes preparations for (view spoiler)

When a family moves in next door, it's the beginning of a beautiful metamorphosis for Ove. I love the pregnant mom, Parvaneh, who seems to see right into the heart of Ove and knows exactly what he needs.

Aside from the trigger in the beginning of the book that was upsetting, this was a moving story of how one man's world changes from losing what he thought was everything that mattered to finding joy in new things and people. Life does go on, no matter what. I've always felt that no matter your age that one needs to feel needed and to have a purpose or there is no motivation to get your aching bones out of bed each morning! Life is about living and making a difference, and I love that sentiment that Backman conveys.

This is my first book from this author, but it won't be my last! I can't wait to read more of his work. He has such a beautiful way of writing. Here are some memorable quotes:

"To love someone is like moving into a house," Sonja used to say. "At first you fall in love in everything new, you wonder every morning that this is one's own, as if they are afraid that someone will suddenly come tumbling through the door and say that there has been a serious mistake and that it simply was not meant to would live so fine. But as the years go by, the facade worn, the wood cracks here and there, and you start to love this house not so much for all the ways it is perfect in that for all the ways it is not. You become familiar with all its nooks and crannies. How to avoid that the key gets stuck in the lock if it is cold outside. Which floorboards have some give when you step on them, and exactly how to open the doors for them not to creak. That's it, all the little secrets that make it your home."

“Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it's often one of the great motivations for the living. Some of us, in time, become so conscious of it that we live harder, more obstinately, with more fury. Some need its constant presence to even be aware of its antithesis. Others become so preoccupied with it that they go into the waiting room long before it has announced its arrival. We fear it, yet most of us fear more than anything that it may take someone other than ourselves. For the greatest fear of death is always that it will pass us by. And leave us there alone.”

“We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like 'if'.”

George Newbern's narration was fantastic! He made me laugh and cry and everything in between. He brought these characters to life, and I recommend listening over reading the book yourself.

This review was posted on my book blog:
https://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.com... ...more

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Jan 31, 2017 Peggy Downing rated it it was amazing

Shelves: peggy-s-audio-books-2017

Absolutely love the main character, Ove. Appears to be the typical grumpy old man, but love his heart. I also found myself smiling and laughing out loud several times!

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Jan 12, 2019 Lore rated it really liked it

I had to start reading this book twice, because the first chapters didn’t really grip me. But then it really grew on me. In the end I cried.

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Mar 05, 2017 Jacqueline rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, audio-1000

Fredrik Backman once again pulls at my heartstrings like no other!

Update: This review originally posted on Pages and Patterns:

When a young, energetic family moves in next door, grumpy, set-in-his-ways Ove is forced to change his daily routines and sets off a chain of life-altering events for Ove and everyone involved.

This was my second Fredik Backman novel, which had been on my TBR list since before it was published, and I’m so glad I finally took the time to read it. I loved Ove and couldn’t he ...more

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Jun 02, 2020 the_frat_nanny_reads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-that-stick-with-you

A Man Called Ove is one of those books that has stuck with me for a long time. It follows an older gentleman who is really cranky and he tries to commit suicide but gets interrupted by his neighbors every time. It really shows the importance of caring for those among you, even if they are cranky.

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