A Man Called Ove in Crazy Challenge Connection

Jan 20, 2018 Anne rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club, read-in-2018

I loved this book. It’s clever, witty, insightful, Scandinavian, and sweet but not too sweet. I genuinely like Ove and would love to have a neighbour like him.

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Jul 21, 2021 Erin rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed, contemporary

This was such a charming book! While I didn't love it as much as I've loved other of Backman's books, I had a very nice time reading this book. Watching Ove begrudgingly accept this little found family of neighbors that becomes thrust upon him after his wife's death was just such a heartwarming story and really highlights the importance of community and the power of community. And Backman's writing style (or more accurately the translator's interpretation of Backman's writing style) is a style I ...more

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Oct 29, 2017 Yvonne rated it really liked it

It's not for everyone and it is slow at times but a heartwarming portrait of a seemingly angry but lonely man who thinks he has nothing to live for after his wife dies. ...more

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

Shelves: library, read-in-2018, translations, 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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Oct 23, 2016 Colleen rated it really liked it

Shelves: drama

The soft center and gruff exterior of Ove makes him a very loveable character and the supporting characters are very believable. Very well-written and enjoyable book.

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Aug 31, 2017 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, translated-into-english

Just read it.

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Mar 28, 2018 Kathryn rated it did not like it

Shelves: dnf-did-not-finish

I really tried to stick with this book and try to like it. A lot of people told me to stick with it longer. I did and just past the half way mark, I decided that it just wasn't working for me and DNF'd it. If a book hasn't gotten me invested in it by the halfway point, chances are it won't. I was ready to quit when I was barely a quarter into it and I stayed with it longer and just did not want to waste anymore of my time; life's too short to force yourself to read something that you don't like. ...more

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