"A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman — Spoiler-Free Review

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I’ve been wanting to write a review of this book since I first read it but I just couldn’t find the right words as this book…well it is different. It’s hard to find the words for a book that completely took you by surprise and made you laugh out loud and cry like a baby. So today in this short book review I’m going to try to tell you why you need to run and read this book right now.

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A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a book about a grumpy old man. The only thing he wants is to live his life in peace without others bothering him. If you like a character-driven story then this is the book for you. Fredrik Backman is a Swedish author known for making his characters feel real and easy to connect with. It doesn’t take much until you feel like you know the Ove and why he is the way he is.

We also meet people that come into his life in various ways. All the characters in this phenomenal book are unique and very colorful. From a cheerful and chatty pregnant Lebanese woman who moves with her family to Ove’s street, through her “incompetent” husband and cute girls who fall in love with their grumpy and unfriendly neighbor at first sight. 

There is also a young overweight computer scientist, a married couple across the street whom Ove has known for the longest time, and an irritating woman with a dog are just some of those who hinder Ove in his plan. And one cat. And Ove can’t do without her, no matter how hard he tries.

The storyline could’ve been quite dark because of the issue it is covering but Backman adds humor that makes everything so much easier to digest. Those who like dark humor will enjoy this book as it has the right amount of humor and sincerity.

This is one of those books you will either love and would not be able to put down until the last page, or you will find Ove annoying and won’t be able to relate to it. I can’t find any fault with this book and that makes it one of the best books I’ve ever read. It is written in a way that completely made me impressed with the world and characters. Without too many descriptions, and with a handful of unforgettable events and an abundance of black humor that always captivates me.

I do want to let you know that there are a few trigger warnings you should check before reading this book.

Did you read this book?