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A Man Called Ove
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A Man Called Ove: Chapter 1-9
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Jul 20, 2017 02:00AM
This is the discussion thread for A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Chapter 1-9
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I've read the first 3 chapters so far. It's not bad, but it hasn't really grabbed me either. For a character-based storyline, the character of Ove is kind of cartoonish, like a hammy curmudgeon. I'll be interested to see how it develops from here.
Just finished chapter 9. So far it sort of reminds me of Up. Ove acts like Mr. Fredrickson. I suppose he is a little cartoonish, but I've met quite a few older gentlemen who could easily be described in the same manner.
SarahKat wrote: "Just finished chapter 9. So far it sort of reminds me of Up. Ove acts like Mr. Fredrickson."Great analogy. I would like to see "Dug" appear for some comic relief. SQUIRREL!
I don't see Ove as cartoonish at all. I think he is a man with a very distinct view of right and wrong (in his eyes), stuck in a world that no longer has a place for him. He actually remind me a lot of my father in law. Lol!
The chapter about Ove's father was the best in the book so far. It certainly gives us an idea about where the author means to take this character.
I keep thinking it reminds me of Up also! I think it's the simplicity of the character, his grumpy nature and his reluctance to like anyone. I really like it though.
This book does remind me of up also. I don't feel like it is cartoonish though. It also reminds me of my step-grandfather. It was a man very set in his ways when he married my grandma. I think it does have to do with a generation. A lot of his friends were the same way. According to them our more recent generations are lazy.
I'm only two chapters in, but so far he definitely does seem cartoonish to me. It makes it kind of hard for me to get into it. Especially since Ove is only supposed to be 59, not 90. A 59 year old person is still pretty active at least professionaly, and here he seems to not even know what a computer is.I do agree it has a similar feel to Up
I've read the first 9 chapters and really like it. Imbunche, I get what you mean how Ove seems a lot older than 59. I also see my grandparents struggling with computers and stuff, not my parents. However, I think that in the case of Ove it is not related to his age, but to his character and his job.
I just finished the first 9 chapters. I like the book so far. I didn't get the impression that Ove was cartoonish, but I did feel sometimes that he seems older than he is. I had to keep reminding myself that he's only 59. But, as Ilona said, I think his it's more just his personality and upbringing. I think the narrative has a charming quality that helped my connect with the story early on.
many people seem to think that Ove is kind of cartoonish. I don't at all agree, it's all just a product of his childhood and such. As I'm reading it in Swedish (the original language of the book) I think I have an easier time connecting with it then other people (or maybe everybody else is also reading it in Swedish who knows), as the book certainly has its references to Swedish culture and such. I think a person from Sweden, reading it in Swedish finds it even funnier the other people. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but I just think the book so far is gripping and hilarious
Solveig wrote: "many people seem to think that Ove is kind of cartoonish. I don't at all agree, it's all just a product of his childhood and such. As I'm reading it in Swedish (the original language of the book) I..."I agree. I think Ove is a simple man with a definite sense of right and wrong living in a world (that he feels) no longer has a place for him.
I read it in English and found it very funny and heartwarming at the same time.
Solveig wrote: "many people seem to think that Ove is kind of cartoonish. I don't at all agree, it's all just a product of his childhood and such. As I'm reading it in Swedish (the original language of the book) I..."I'm reading it in English but I think it's still funny (may also depend on one's sense of humor). That said, I'm sure the experience is different reading it in the original language/culture than in translation. I always wonder about that when I read a book in translation.
Sheila wrote: "I don't see Ove as cartoonish at all. I think he is a man with a very distinct view of right and wrong (in his eyes), stuck in a world that no longer has a place for him. He actually remind me a lo..."I have an uncle like Ove! A couple of times he even used some of the same phrases. I didn't find him cartoonish, but I understand what you are getting at. He reminded me of the Frost poem lines: "He will not go behind his father's saying, and he likes having thought of so well he says it again, 'God fences make good neighbors!' "
Nine chapters in, I must say so far I find the book more sad than funny, despite the light style of writing.
It takes a little bit to really get into the book it's good in the beginning but great in the end. Definitely worth reading all the way through.
I find Ove to be a bit unbelievable for a 59-year-old man frankly. He's younger than my dad and he seems to have no understanding of computers. I find this unrealistic, unless Swedish technology and culture is hugely different than the US. I think he'd be a more effective character if he was 80. I haven't watched the movie yet, but the stills I've seen make Ove seem a lot older. I do think Ove is a good man with strong moral principles though. The fact that he agrees to bleed the radiator indicates that he's a good man.
The grumpy old man he reminds me of is Mr. Wilson from the Dennis the Menace movie.
Yes, I agree that Ove seems a lot older than 59 years, although not because of his lack of computer knowledge. I think it fitting with his personality thus far to probably feel that computers are useless, not to be trusted machinery trying to replace humans (I almost hear him complaining about it lol). Trying to avoid one as long as possible. Heck, my own father hadn't touched one until he retired! And even now has very little knowledge about computers.I find the story a bit hard to get into, especially reading the Lunar Chronicles at the same time. I understand that it does get better though, hopefully that'll be soon.
I've just finished chapter 9. So far, I love this book! I am Ove! I mean, I just turned 41 and I love technology, but I've been a grumpy old man for most of my life. :D
