Stephanie Sullivan: Review - A Man Called Ove

May 22, 2021

TITLE: A Man Called Ove

RATING: ★★★★

Summary (from Goodreads): 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.

REVIEW: Such a great story! I think it’s safe to assume that all of us have an Ove in our lives. (Mine greatly resembles my husband...but I digress). Still, there’s something about those aggravating curmudgeon’s that tugs on my heartstrings, and reading Ove’s story was no different. I knew he would be a beloved character from the very first chapter. I will admit it took me awhile before I felt truly drawn into the story, but once it grabbed hold of me I finished the remainder of the book in one afternoon. I encourage everyone to read A Man Called Ove, and if you enjoy Backman’s writing style then you should definitely read his newest book, Anxious People. (My 2020 favorite!) P.S. The movie, A Man Called Ove, is wonderful too...but read the book first!