Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion
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A Man Called Ove
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A Man Called Ove - June 2015
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I loved it!https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Kristie wrote: "Members' choice for additional BOM for June is A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.
Book Summary
In this bestselling and del..."
I didn't like any of the characters individually, but the beauty I found in this book was the concept that all people are flawed, and we need what other people have. The community that was developed was stronger than the strengths of the individual members - each had something that they were good at that the others lacked. I read the book two months ago and I'm still thinking about things so that is a sign of a good read to me! :-)
Mod
I adored this book. One of my favorites this year.
I loved this book - not the characters in themselves, but how they got together as a community to help and save each other. And I absolutely loved the writing style and the language!
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My book club read it and all really enjoyed it. One of the best books I've read this year. My be a little slow to start but I really became engrossed in this book.
I just finished this book a couple of days ago and really liked it. I'm not sure when the book clicked for me, but I loved the quirky characters and sense of community that develops. Also, I thought the author did a good job in developing Ove from a quiet young man of principle to a rigid, bitter, and angry man, but still a man with a sense of justice and obligation. And, not to give anything away, I enjoyed the black humor when Ove's best laid plans are repeatedly thwarted.
Mod
I initially thought this would be a DNF for me, which is sad because I nominated it and really wanted to love it. It's not so bad now, but I'm still not loving it. There are some funny bits and I like the side characters somewhat. I'm hoping it continues to get better.
Kristie wrote: "58% and it's a bit better. Just curious - So far, everyone else on this thread loved the book and gave it 5 stars. At what point did you start loving it? Did it take a while to get into it or did y..."Kristie , I'm not exactly sure at what point I started loving the book , but at some point I was very touched by Ove's sadness over his losses - his wife , his job . I also found the flashbacks describing his relationship with his father very poignant. Then I gradually saw his acts of kindness and just loved him in spite of his crankiness. My review tells more of my feelings but I don't want to spoil it so I'll post after people have finished discussing .
Kristie wrote: "58% and it's a bit better. Just curious - So far, everyone else on this thread loved the book and gave it 5 stars. At what point did you start loving it? Did it take a while to get into it or did y..."I was 2/3 of the way through the book before I started to like it.
Mod
Kristie , I think that not all books are for all people. I really liked My Grandmother Told Me ...... as much as I liked Ove so I'll be interested in seeing if you like it better than this one .
Kristie wrote: "58% and it's a bit better. Just curious - So far, everyone else on this thread loved the book and gave it 5 stars. At what point did you start loving it? Did it take a while to get into it or did y..."I know I liked it early...because I don't keep reading books that I don't like after a 10-20-30 pages. But don't stress too much, we all like different books. There are lots of books out there that everybody seem to like and I didn't.
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I'm curious now....lol
I think he made the beginning of this book a little slower intentionally. I feel like the book "opened up" as we got to know Ove and I started to like the book more. Maybe the book had to grow on me just like Ove did?
Mod
I probably wouldn't have finished it after the first 10-30 pages. It took a lot longer to grow on me. I almost DNF in the beginning, but it was my nomination, so I wanted to read it. I'm glad I finished it. I enjoyed the last 25%.
Haha. I loved this book right off the bat. It was right away I got into the quirky and cranky character of Ove and found his interactions quit amusing and I wanted more. I think some of the beginning scenes I found to be the most hilarious in fact. By the end I was touched in a different way, but I enjoyed the humor as well. I loved the book, from beginning to end.
Mod
The book definitely started out a little slow for my liking but after getting through the first 40% of the book, I began to really enjoy it. I loved how Backman shows us Ove's gradual progression from a quiet young man who liked to stay out of everyone's way to the grumpy, old, outspoken man with a strong opinion on all things right and wrong. Throughout my read, I felt a myriad of emotions from sadness and anger for Ove to confusion and then happiness and joy. While I didn't particularly love most of the other characters in the novel, I loved the roles they played in revealing Ove's innate personality to the readers.
This book definitely is one of those great examples of the ways in which we, as human beings, are a sum of our experiences and how there is a lot more to the book than just the cover.
Kristie wrote: "Ioana wrote: "Kristie wrote: "58% and it's a bit better. Just curious - So far, everyone else on this thread loved the book and gave it 5 stars. At what point did you start loving it? Did it take a..."Well.. I guess I just keep trying then, after couple of chapters I'm not too impressed. We have local writer who has used same ideas (I think so, I'm still not finished) and I don't like his work either.
Mod
I really loved this book. I think we all probably had an Ove in our lives though I didn't get as involved with mine as the other characters do. I miss Ove to this day. A story of how people who leave us still are with us but in different forms. I think Ove allowed himself to know that though not voice it aloud.
thewanderingjew wrote: "I just got a copy of his new book!My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry"
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on it!
Mod
I got the new book. Upon reflection I think what got me hooked to Ove was the first chapter. I loved how he dealt with the computer salesman. Just busted out laughing. Totally understandable reaction.
This novel was funny. Ove was such a grumpy curmudgeon, you couldn't help but like him.
Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (other topics)My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (other topics)
My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry (other topics)
A Man Called Ove (other topics)
A Man Called Ove (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Fredrik Backman (other topics)Fredrik Backman (other topics)
Fredrik Backman (other topics)
Book Summary
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.