A Man Called Ove

By Fredrik Backman

Book Overview

"You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel new sympathy for the curmudgeons in your life." --People

The #1 New York Times bestseller about the grumpy old man next door that's an uplifting exploration of the unreliability of first impressions and a reminder that life is sweeter when it is shared with other people. Also a major film called A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks.

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.

Fredrik Backman's beloved first novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. "If there was an award for 'Most Charming Book of the Year, ' this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down" (Booklist, starred review).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476738025
• ISBN13: 9781476738024
• Release Date: May 2015
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 0.71 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding

Took me a minute to get the flow. One of the best books i have read in years.

Emotional Ove Book

A Man Called Over is a wonderful book about (what else) a man called Ove. The story dwells into the back story of Ove and how he has arrived to his present being. How he gets along with others and reacts to situations that pop up in his life. Wonderfully written and full of some dark moments and funny ones as well. Backman does an excellent job of intertwining the good and the bad. Highly recommend this book for adults. Some of the subject matter may not be appropriate for young readers.

One of the best reads ever!

I taught literature for almost four decades. This is one of my all time favorite books. How so? I read it again this spring -- I plan to read it every spring to refresh myself -- for the fifth time. I laugh out loud every time and shed a tear. After reading, watch the Swedish version of the movie.

Heart warming. Cute. Amazing story.

I loved this book so much more than I expected. It was I. The neighborhood library box so I tried it. I’ve is such a grumpy lovable character. The story comes full circle and is so inspiring.

The best

A Man Called Ove had me hooked from the beginning. Ove made me fall in love with him. Ove will make you laugh and cry. I did not want this book to end!! Fredrik Backman is an awesome author. He has made me a new fan. Must read.

Fantastic

The characters are fantastic. The story is witty, charming and entertaining. I'm buying more of Backman's books right now. Definitely one of the best books I've read. If you're looking for a feel good, emotional book, I highly recommend it.

Not for me

Everyone I know loves this book but I could not get interested in it. I may try to read it later.

Good read

It probably helped that I saw the movie years ago. It was a good, wholesome story.

Don’t start it on a weeknight.

I haven’t read much I could not put down recently, but I stayed up all night to finish this, even though I knew exactly how it would turn out pretty quickly. No one writes characters as irritating, and lovable, and funny and heart rending as Maeve Binchy did. Except Frederick Backman does. I dare not say he might even be better. I hate predictable books, but I adored this one. Wonderfully satisfying even as you cry through a lot of the book.

This book surprised me

I just finished A Man called Ove, and I have a very red face from laughing and crying. The book began as nothing special, a little boring. And then it got to an interesting point. It is a cozy read. It is what life is. It will make you feel all sorts of stuff. So glad I decided to pick up something out of my usual genre. Everyone should read something like this at least once.

Loved it

If you’ve seen the movie “A Man Called Otto” don’t be surprised that this book is 10x better. One of the few books to make me shed a tear.

A man called Oooovay (correct pronunciation)

I found this a delightful book to foray into the life of Ove that from first appearances seems to be the quintessential “old dog, unwilling and unable to learn anything new”. Getting to know this old fellow that many of us have come across in life left me entertained and reflective.

no

this one ended up not being for me; i didn't jive with the writing or the characters (both felt extremely juvenile), so i DNF'd pretty early, to be honest. i feel like i'm the only one who didn't enjoy it lol sorry, internet.

A Man Called Ove A Surprising Read

I am in a place in which I don't need to read dark stories. As I read the first few pages of this book, I thought, "Oh, no, another book about the sadness and despair of life." I picked it up again a day or two later, thinking to fair to the author's labors, I should delve into it a little farther before putting it into the donation stack. What a lovely read I would have missed! This book confirms our importance to one another, even when we think we are of little value and not contributing good to this world. Ove, not a common fellow, but are any of us really? He has his quirks, probably different from yours or mine, but Ove is the man you want living on your street and sharing the years with you and the people about whom you care.

A humorous story about quite a stubborn and cantankerous man.

You will never look at stubborn folk in your life quite the same way again! Ove will have you feeling sympathy and empathy for him! Characters in the story were fun and loveable! A great read!

it did not disappoint

I watched the Tom Hanks movie first and I really liked it, so I decided to give the book a shot, and it did not disappoint. Like any other book-turned-movie, the book has a lot more to offer. I like that there were stories/flashbacks of Ove in the novel that made me understand his character more. Though they were very small things, I liked how it really affected his relationships with people. The neighbors are so very well done too. I get to see a bit more of their personality as well. Overall, really good book. I really appreciate the narrator on how he delivers with conviction when Ove is fixated on soemthing. Well done on the author's writing, and the narrator's performance.

So Many Layers; So Many Emotions

This book ended a drought in my reading. It took me a few chapters to become vested in Ove, but then I was "all in" - laughing at things he said, cheering for each step in his journey through loss, but also through his new beginnings. A reminder of how each of us needs to be needed in this world. I'm well into my 60's and I can only think of a handful of books that touched my soul more than this one.

Not Worth the Hype

Boring Grinch story

An OVErly large heart

Great story of overcoming loss with serving your neighbor. We are not in this world alone. Easy read and thoroughly enjoyable.

Subtle and lovely

I loved this story and the way it was written.

Just ok

I had high hopes for this title, especially after the previews for the movie. It was a struggle for me. Not a book I would recommend or ever wish to read again. I usually read a book in a matter of days (max) and this one took me nearly two weeks. The time alone speaks for itself. I felt like I was in a rocking chair while others ran by. I was moving but wasn't getting anywhere. The end was the best part - not uncommon - but even that was lack luster for what I was expecting. So many friends/family members raved about this one, it just didn't hit the mark for me.

This book absolutely exceeded my expectations. I laughed and cried, which is not something I often d

This, but will put you in your feels. But if you do not have empathy or compassion, you will probably miss the mark.

A Man Called Ove is a story for all ages !

I enjoyed every page and am happy to see that it has become a movie ! Can’t wait to see it ! Tugs at the heart yet comical ! I would definitely suggest reading this story and feel that everyone has met an Ove in their lifetime!

Didn't love it

This book was a disappointment... it promised to be humorous & lite by all the reviews but I could hardly make it through the first half. The miserable old man Ove is sad & empty since his wife's passing.... tries to end his life several times but keeps getting interrupted. It has a cute ending but definitely wouldn't read again or necessarily recommend it to others.

Emotional and relatable

This was short and yet a wonderful representation of what it means to be human. Absolutely worth the read.

Best book ever.

This one had everything. Humor, sadness, understanding. Ove was one special guy. I can't wait to read the other Fredrik Backman novels.

Given as a gift; helped me begin reading again

I have reading 'dry spells' from time to time. But, when my next door neighbor girl shared one of her favorite books with me, it sparked a desire to read again. The meter of this writing is part of the story. It sets the tone and helps create a picture of this Man Called Ove. You will hate him and lOVE him in each paragraph. You will laugh at him and cry at his attitude. Lessons will be learned. I shared this with several people since it was gifted to me. Each has a different reaction; all adore the story.

Great book

I stopped reading for years and this book was one that got me back into reading. Lovely story.

I fell in love with Ove

What a wonderful story filled with colorful characters. I like the way Fredrik writes, he never gives away too much, but you have a sense of where you're going. This was my 3rd Fredrik Backman Book, and I have enjoyed them all -Bear Town and Anxious People added to the list.

A curveball of a book

When you read the basis of this book, it sounds boring. A book about a curmudgeon. A Swedish curmudgeon. Nothing on this book sounds like anything beyond "old man yells at clouds" for 300 pages. I enjoy being wrong. So wrong. A Man Called Ove is a powermove, and I respect Backman for doing a character as seemingly basic as a "simple curmudgeon" justice. It's a simple premise turned on its head, and is half character study of Ove himself and half of his daily life. A good book doesn't simply suck you in, it grabs you by the collar and drags you in and this book does that. Chapter 4. Chapter 4 will sell you on this book about an old Swedish man and his overly defensive nature about driving cars through your neighborhood. I will not say anymore on the subject, because I want you to read it and get my point.

I stepped out of my zone and glad I did

The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it ended.

You will re-read this book!

This book proves once again the value of community and the power of love in someone’s life. Whether it’s romantic or platonic love, the author’s running commentary on the characters impact on each other will leave you smiling, crying, thoughtful and satisfied.

I laughed. I cried. I felt all the feelings. Go read it.

Chapter one had me in stitches. Chapter four had me in tears. I don’t think it should be legal for a book to do that to you. Lol. I adore Ove. He’s every grumpy old man I’ve ever met in my life and honestly put me in mind of my own father in some ways. I loved his absolute sense of right and wrong and how he always ended up helping people despite himself, just because they needed to know the proper way to do a thing. I enjoyed meeting all the neighbors he wanted nothing to do with. They all felt like very real people with distinct personalities and lives. I loved the ways they all interacted, both with each other and with Ove, and how all their stories intertwined. This is a book meant to take you on a journey of loss and grief and learning to live again. It’s so beautifully written that words have a hard time describing how deeply it touched me. I’ll never forget reading this book and I might even have the fortitude to read it again someday. I’d call this a perfect book.

Loved loved loved!!!

This was one of the best stories I've read in a while. Ove made me think so much of my dad who passed away a couple years ago. Very heart warming. Loved all the characters in the book. A definite must to read!

Heart Warming

Great story!! At first I was a little unsure if I would like it but I’m so glad I read it the whole way through. Highly recommend!

Loved This Book

Dark, sad and exceptionally hilarious - doesn't make sense but it is all those things. You will love the characters.

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