Book Cover
BIBLIOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Backman, F. (2012). A man called ove. London ; New York, NY/USA: Washington Square
PAGES/AUDIO BOOK TIME
337/ 9 hours
PURCHASING OPTIONS
Hardcover $23.40
Paperback $12.84
Paperback $12.84
NOOK $12.99
Audiobook $44.85
Audiobook $44.85
Kindle $12.99
Hardcover $18.46
Hardcover $18.46
Paperback $12.00
Audio CD $23.23
ANNOTATION
Ove is a cranky old man who likes to make everyone around him miserable.
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
Ove is a cranky old man who doesn't like anyone and they don't like him. However, this all changes when a young couple moves next door and destroys his flowerbed and mailbox with their moving truck.
Ove, who has lived a hard life of loss, finds himself alone after the death of his wife, whom he treasured and loved more than life itself. At the time he young couple moves in he is planning his suicide, but each time he attempts it he is interrupted hilariously by the young couple and their children.
Before Ove knows it he is making unexpected friends with the young couple, their children, neighbors he never liked, and a rough looking cat.
MY REVIEW
What better perspective to use than a crotchety old man? I immediately came to like him and his cynical and frank personality and talk. He says it how it is and he doesn't care what other have to say about it. It's not about the thing, it's about the principle of the thing! The interactions between Ove and his new young family neighbors is nothing short of hilarious-and for clown haters out there, Ove is your man. Ove is the kind of person I hope I get to befriend some day. Everyone needs a friend like Ove.
SUMMARY *Spoiler Alert*
Ove is a cranky old man who doesn't like anyone and they don't like him. However, this all changes when a young couple moves next door and destroys his flowerbed and mailbox with their moving truck.
Ove, who has lived a hard life of loss, finds himself alone after the death of his wife, whom he treasured and loved more than life itself. At the time he young couple moves in he is planning his suicide, but each time he attempts it he is interrupted hilariously by the young couple and their children.
Before Ove knows it he is making unexpected friends with the young couple, their children, neighbors he never liked, and a rough looking cat.
MY REVIEW
What better perspective to use than a crotchety old man? I immediately came to like him and his cynical and frank personality and talk. He says it how it is and he doesn't care what other have to say about it. It's not about the thing, it's about the principle of the thing! The interactions between Ove and his new young family neighbors is nothing short of hilarious-and for clown haters out there, Ove is your man. Ove is the kind of person I hope I get to befriend some day. Everyone needs a friend like Ove.
RATING
Quality Rating: Gold
Popularity Rating: Diamond
Quality Rating: Gold
Popularity Rating: Diamond
GENRE & SUB GENRES
Fiction
Contemporary
Humor
BOOKTALKING
This book shows that connection can be found within the smallest interactions everyday.
Ove, who we meet as a cranky old person, teaches us that we all have a past and if we took the time to learn about each other, there would be more understanding, patience, and love in the world.
This book reminds us to find humor the ordinary.
A lot of times in our relationship problems, it is not the other person that needs to change, it is us. This is true in this book with the reader who might be waiting for Ove to change but instead finds themselves changing and growing more and more to love this character.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Did you like how the author slowly revealed Ove's past?
What are Ove's core values? Do you agree with these values?
How was Parveneh's perspective able to help Ove? Does it help him?
Ove follows the same routine everyday. Is this a good thing or bad thing? Is there value in routine? Is there value in doing things on a whim? Can there be a balance of the two? How?
How does each person in the community help Ove?
Which character do you identify with most? Why?
Do you agree with the idea in this book that sharing our sorrows can bring us together? Why?
Contemporary
Humor
APPEAL FACTORS
This book is full of dark humor and friendship. It makes for a good laugh but is inspirational as well. The book is a relatively easy read and is evenly paced throughout the book.
This book shows that connection can be found within the smallest interactions everyday.
Ove, who we meet as a cranky old person, teaches us that we all have a past and if we took the time to learn about each other, there would be more understanding, patience, and love in the world.
This book reminds us to find humor the ordinary.
A lot of times in our relationship problems, it is not the other person that needs to change, it is us. This is true in this book with the reader who might be waiting for Ove to change but instead finds themselves changing and growing more and more to love this character.
DISCUSSION POINTS
Did you like how the author slowly revealed Ove's past?
What are Ove's core values? Do you agree with these values?
How was Parveneh's perspective able to help Ove? Does it help him?
Ove follows the same routine everyday. Is this a good thing or bad thing? Is there value in routine? Is there value in doing things on a whim? Can there be a balance of the two? How?
How does each person in the community help Ove?
Which character do you identify with most? Why?
Do you agree with the idea in this book that sharing our sorrows can bring us together? Why?
WHY THIS BOOK?
I have heard about this book for years now and how good it is, but I have never gotten around to read it. This assignment gave me the perfect excuse/opportunity to read it.
THE AUTHOR
REVIEWS
SIMILAR TITLES/AUTHORS
Doden by Jonas Gardell
The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy by Rachel Joyce
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Crumpy old men
- the importance of connection with others
- Unlikely friendships can happen anywhere, anytime, and with anyone.
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