In my latest reading adventure I traveled to Sweden where I met “A man called Ove“. 
Ove is a loveable curmudgeon in late middle-age. He is ever so slightly OCD and has a problem with the machinations of society. Ove is very set in his ways and is disdainful of almost everyone he meets. He has a fondness for rules and thinks that anyone who doesn’t follow them is a harbinger of chaos. He has always driven a Saab car and thinks that what car a person drives tells a lot about a person. His story is told in a series of flashbacks which makes the reader cognizant of all the loss and sadness that Ove has encountered in his life along with all the many talents he possesses. In the present, over the course of of several months, Ove, with a little help from his friends, gets a new lease on life.
Poignant and hysterically funny in equal measure, “A man called Ove” is a heartwarming novel of life, loss, and our intrinsic need to be needed. Skillfully written with charm and wit, this debut novel is a fast read – and one you will remember for a long time. You know you’ve read a good book when after the last page is turned you are already missing the characters… I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed “The storied life of A.J. Fikry” or “The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry“.
Heartfelt thanks to Atria Books via NetGalley for providing me with yet another wonderful read.
One of my all-time favorites!
Fredrik Backman
“A man called Ove” came about as a result of a blog post from Swedish author Fredrik Backman. His readers took to the character and requested more and more. The result was this novel. Like Frederik Backman’s blog readers, this reader believes that the world would be a better place with more people like “A man called Ove“.
Click here to read an interview with Fredrick Backman about this delightful novel.
Fictionophile 
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I didn’t know the story behind the creation of the book! That’s interesting, and inspiring in a way. A blog always feels like a fun place. It’s inspiring to know something so great can grow from some blogs. I can see the book cover as your blog background. It looks nice. Did you make this background yourself? Thanks for the suggestions in the post. I was looking for something similar like Ove, but I was told that Bear Town is different and is about hockey, so it’s not what I’m looking for.
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Although “Beartown” is about a small town hockey team, it is much, much, more. I don’t care for hockey but I LOVED the book “Beartown”. It is a character-driven work of literary fiction.
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May read it now … noticed my Dad has it.
Came to your blog after seeing post on the Belgium reviewer. Librarian must be an interesting career. I have started a ‘hump day’ Wednesday series about careers. Would you like to write a guest post for me? I had a guest post last week. Today is a letter from me now to me 17 about careers. The series is anything career related, the unexpected career journey, different jobs, retirement etc…
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This is one of my all-time favorites, too! Excellent review, and I love the inclusion of how Backman’s novel grew from a blog post. What an inspiring reminder for how book ideas come into being!
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Great review! I did love the way Backman told the story. He gently drew his reader through so much background information so that Ove became so real and wonderful to his reader. 🙂
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Thanks Sascha. I think this novel is a treasure.
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A wonderful review of a wonderful book – I just loved it as well and have been recommending to all my family and friends! It is one of those that I won’t forget.
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I agree, it was very special. Though I rarely have time to REREAD books, I would like to reread this one.
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I agree…and then I read on one of your comments about a film of the book. I’ll have to look out for that but just hope it doesn’t disappoint!
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Yes, I’m eager to see the film as well, though like you I’m doubtful it can live up to the book.
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Lynne, I meant to give you a shout out as a thank you, but I confess my eyes were almost closed as I was typing the review, so let me take a moment now to say thanks.
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Finally checked out your review on Goodreads. Glad you got to read it.
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I have been staying away from this book, mainly as my TBR list is so long, but it does sound good.
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Don’t wait – shuffle it up the queue. It is a read to savor.
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Excellent review! Gasp – Saab! I’d already forgotten about that part of the book, oh now I want to do a re-read. What an excellent book this is – how exciting for you to get a NetGalley of it and be able to read it before the rest of the world fell in love with it 🙂
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This book is featured in a Chapters-Indigo e-newsletter sent yesterday as “an outstanding read”!!! Looks like your review is right on the money!
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This definitely sounds like one to add to my TO READ list! And one to be moved up close to the top (or I’ll never get to it!!!)
p.s. Love the cat twined around his stalwart legs!
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