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A MAN CALLED OVE

by Fredrik Backman ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2014

In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden, generous heart.

Originally published in Sweden, this charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers.

The book opens helpfully with the following characterizations about its protagonist: “Ove is fifty-nine. He drives a Saab. He’s the kind of man who points at people he doesn’t like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman’s torch.” What the book takes its time revealing is that this dyed-in-the-wool curmudgeon has a heart of solid gold. Readers will see the basic setup coming a mile away, but Backman does a crafty job revealing the full vein of precious metal beneath Ove’s ribs, glint by glint. Ove’s history trickles out in alternating chapters—a bleak set of circumstances that smacks an honorable, hardworking boy around time and again, proving that, even by early adulthood, he comes by his grumpy nature honestly. It’s a woman who turns his life around the first time: sweet and lively Sonja, who becomes his wife and balances his pessimism with optimism and warmth. By 59, he's in a place of despair yet again, and it’s a woman who turns him around a second time: spirited, knowing Parvaneh, who moves with her husband and children into the terraced house next door and forces Ove to engage with the world. The back story chapters have a simple, fablelike quality, while the current-day chapters are episodic and, at times, hysterically funny. In both instances, the narration can veer toward the preachy or overly pat, but wry descriptions, excellent pacing and the juxtaposition of Ove’s attitude with his deeds add plenty of punch to balance out any pathos.

Pub Date: July 15, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4767-3801-7

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Atria

Review Posted Online: June 28, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2014

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by Fredrik Backman translated by Neil Smith

by Fredrik Backman

by Fredrik Backman ; translated by Neil Smith

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BOOK TO SCREEN

THE SECRET HISTORY

by Donna Tartt ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 16, 1992

The Brat Pack meets The Bacchae in this precious, way-too-long, and utterly unsuspenseful town-and-gown murder tale. A bunch of ever-so-mandarin college kids in a small Vermont school are the eager epigones of an aloof classics professor, and in their exclusivity and snobbishness and eagerness to please their teacher, they are moved to try to enact Dionysian frenzies in the woods. During the only one that actually comes off, a local farmer happens upon them—and they kill him. But the death isn't ruled a murder—and might never have been if one of the gang—a cadging sybarite named Bunny Corcoran—hadn't shown signs of cracking under the secret's weight. And so he too is dispatched. The narrator, a blank-slate Californian named Richard Pepen chronicles the coverup. But if you're thinking remorse-drama, conscience masque, or even semi-trashy who'll-break-first? page-turner, forget it: This is a straight gee-whiz, first-to-have-ever-noticed college novel—"Hampden College, as a body, was always strangely prone to hysteria. Whether from isolation, malice, or simple boredom, people there were far more credulous and excitable than educated people are generally thought to be, and this hermetic, overheated atmosphere made it a thriving black petri dish of melodrama and distortion." First-novelist Tartt goes muzzy when she has to describe human confrontations (the murder, or sex, or even the ping-ponging of fear), and is much more comfortable in transcribing aimless dorm-room paranoia or the TV shows that the malefactors anesthetize themselves with as fate ticks down. By telegraphing the murders, Tartt wants us to be continually horrified at these kids—while inviting us to semi-enjoy their manneristic fetishes and refined tastes. This ersatz-Fitzgerald mix of moralizing and mirror-looking (Jay McInerney shook and poured the shaker first) is very 80's—and in Tartt's strenuous version already seems dated, formulaic. Les Nerds du Mal—and about as deep (if not nearly as involving) as a TV movie.

Pub Date: Sept. 16, 1992

ISBN: 1400031702

Page Count: 592

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1992

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by Donna Tartt

SEEN & HEARD

HOUSE OF LEAVES

by Mark Z. Danielewski ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2000

The story's very ambiguity steadily feeds its mysteriousness and power, and Danielewski's mastery of postmodernist and...

An amazingly intricate and ambitious first novel - ten years in the making - that puts an engrossing new spin on the traditional haunted-house tale.

Texts within texts, preceded by intriguing introductory material and followed by 150 pages of appendices and related "documents" and photographs, tell the story of a mysterious old house in a Virginia suburb inhabited by esteemed photographer-filmmaker Will Navidson, his companion Karen Green (an ex-fashion model), and their young children Daisy and Chad.  The record of their experiences therein is preserved in Will's film The Davidson Record - which is the subject of an unpublished manuscript left behind by a (possibly insane) old man, Frank Zampano - which falls into the possession of Johnny Truant, a drifter who has survived an abusive childhood and the perverse possessiveness of his mad mother (who is institutionalized).  As Johnny reads Zampano's manuscript, he adds his own (autobiographical) annotations to the scholarly ones that already adorn and clutter the text (a trick perhaps influenced by David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest ) - and begins experiencing panic attacks and episodes of disorientation that echo with ominous precision the content of Davidson's film (their house's interior proves, "impossibly," to be larger than its exterior; previously unnoticed doors and corridors extend inward inexplicably, and swallow up or traumatize all who dare to "explore" their recesses).  Danielewski skillfully manipulates the reader's expectations and fears, employing ingeniously skewed typography, and throwing out hints that the house's apparent malevolence may be related to the history of the Jamestown colony, or to Davidson's Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of a dying Vietnamese child stalked by a waiting vulture.  Or, as "some critics [have suggested,] the house's mutations reflect the psychology of anyone who enters it."

Pub Date: March 6, 2000

ISBN: 0-375-70376-4

Page Count: 704

Publisher: Pantheon

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2000

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Summary and Reviews of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Summary | Excerpt | Reading Guide | Reviews | Beyond the book | Read-Alikes | Genres & Themes | Author Bio

A Man Called Ove

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• First Published:
• Jul 15, 2014, 352 pages
• May 2015, 368 pages

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Book Summary

In this bestselling and delightfully quirky debut novel from Sweden, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. Winner of the 2014 BookBrowse Debut Novel Award.

Winner of the 2014 BookBrowse Debut Author Award

In this bestselling and delightfully quirky debut novel from Sweden, 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. A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand , Fredrik Backman's novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. BookBrowse note: In Swedish Ove is pronounced (approximately) Oover.

1 A MAN CALLED OVE BUYS A COMPUTER THAT IS NOT A COMPUTER

Ove is fifty-nine. He drives a Saab. He's the kind of man who points at people he doesn't like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman's flashlight. He stands at the counter of a shop where owners of Japanese cars come to purchase white cables. Ove eyes the sales assistant for a long time before shaking a mediumsized white box at him. "So this is one of those O-Pads, is it?" he demands. The assistant, a young man with a single-digit body mass index, looks ill at ease. He visibly struggles to control his urge to snatch the box out of Ove's hands. "Yes, exactly. An iPad. Do you think you could stop shaking it like that ... ?" Ove gives the box a skeptical glance, as if it's a highly dubious sort of box, a box that rides a scooter and wears tracksuit pants and just called Ove "my friend" before offering to sell him a watch. "I see. So it's a computer, yes?" The sales ...

Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers!

• How does the opening scene, in which Ove attempts to purchase a computer, succinctly express the main points of Ove's ongoing battle with the stupidities of the modern world?
• Ove loves things that have a purpose, that are useful. How does this worldview fail him when he believes himself to be useless? How is he convinced that he can still be useful?
• As readers, we get to know Ove slowly, with his past only being revealed piece by piece. What surprised you about Ove's past? Why do you think the author revealed Ove's past the way that he did?
• We all know our own grumpy old men. How do Ove's core values lead him to appear as such a cranky old coot, when he is in fact nothing of the sort? Which of these values do you ...
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Reader reviews, bookbrowse review.

A Man Called Ove is a perfect selection for book clubs. It's well written and replete with universal concerns. It lacks violence and profanity, is life-affirming and relationship-driven. The book is bittersweet, tender, often wickedly humorous and almost certain to elicit tears... continued

Full Review (496 words) This review is available to non-members for a limited time. For full access, become a member today .

(Reviewed by Linda Hitchcock ).

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Beyond the Book

A brief history of saab cars.

A Man Called Ove inexorably links the man and his cherished Saab. Ove's first vehicle, inherited from his father at age 16, was a restored green 1949 Saab '92, a two-door coupe, the distinctive Swedish automobile manufacturer's first production car. Ove's devotion and brand loyalty to the company's Swedish roots is so steadfast that he ceases purchasing new cars after the General Motors acquisition, choosing instead to retain his dark blue 1998 Saab 9.5 Estate model. IOne can argue that a Saab is not a car, but a wingless, non-flying airplane. The Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Airplane Corporation) factory was built in 1938 to provide equipment for the Royal Swedish Air Force. Throughout World War II, the company manufactured ...

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A Review of Fredrik Backman’s “A Man Called Ove”

Grumpy old man.

Zachary Houle

Note: During the Christmas 2021 holidays, I’ve decided to intersperse reviews of new books with reviews of books that have been on my TBR pile for some time. This is a tactic I attempted last Christmas as well. Consider it a gift to get a review of an older book — after all, it has been told to me that books have a long shelf-life. The next review on my list is of Fredrik Backman’s New York Times Bestseller, A Man Called Ove .

Last Christmas, my mother gifted me a copy of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove . It had nothing to do with the fact that I had previously read and reviewed one of Backman’s other books and would have thus thought that I would like this book as well. No, the reason why I got this book as a gift was that there was a cat on the cover of the book and, because of that, she thought that the book might be a good read. I think what my mom was trying to tell me was that she thought I read too many weird books, so she wanted to give me something that was a little more “normal.” And what’s more normal than having a cat on the cover of a book? OK, the reason might partially have been that she misses her own cat, who passed on a couple of years ago, but, in any event, I got this book, and it has taken me a year to finally have the time to read it. It turns out that a year might have been too long. It’s a pretty good book.

A Man Called Ove is simply about, well, a man called Ove. He’s a Swedish man in late middle age who is prickly and grumpy at best — but his terseness is a shell to protect him from the sorts of bad things that usually befall people in life. And some very bad things have happened to him by the start of this book. His wife of 40 odd years has recently died and he has just lost his job due to downsizing. He is contemplating ending his life because he feels he no longer has anything to live for. However, every time that he tries to die — and I hope this isn’t much of a spoiler because the book’s pleasure lies in its predictability — he gets rudely interrupted by a neighbour or someone else who wants something of him. In the end, will Ove come to see that he has an extended family of neighbours (along with a friendly feral cat that he winds up adopting) who likes him just as he is? Will his heart turn to gold, revealing that he’s not too much of an old grump at all? Well, does a bear poop in the woods?

As noted, you can see things coming from a mile off in this novel, but that’s all a part of its charm — simply because Ove is so oblivious. He’s a character that the reader can’t help but fall in love with, and Backman has made a brave choice in bringing to life a character who is, when we first met him, a tad bit unlikeable. Ove is a little OCD, as he has a strict routine that he follows, and that includes acting on the behalf of the Resident’s Association that he used to be Chairman of in checking to make sure everything is in order in the communal parking garage every morning. His demeanor is rough and gruff, but once the reader comes to understand why Ove is the way that he is, the coarseness of his character gives way a bit. This is a book that gets better and better as it goes along, because, once you get the backstory, you can come to appreciate why Ove is the way he is and why he’s willing to change in fits and starts.

Are there any faults with this novel? Well, aside from its air of predictability (even the plot twists at the end are a bit on the side of the “You can really guess what happens next” variety), the book is essentially a little bit cartoonish. Part of the problem is that damn cat — it takes on semi-human characteristics and behaviours in response to Ove’s actions, which seems to be a tad unrealistic. (Or maybe that’s because I own a very stubborn cat who has a mind of her own and does things her way, so I have a particular mindset when it comes to how cats usually behave.) However, that’s just carping. A Man Called Ove is mostly a staggeringly charming read, even in its moments where things don’t turn out as planned, and you can’t help but fall in love with a somewhat ill-tempered old man who comes to learn that, no matter how bad life gets, there still may be some things worth living for.

By now, A Man Called Ove has been a runaway success. It has been adapted as a movie in Swedish and an Americanized adaptation is in the works with Tom Hanks attached to it as the star (thought this future movie seems to be trapped in development hell). There have been more than 75,000 member reviews left on Goodreads, showing just how popular this book has become. It’s bound to be a perennial favourite that keeps on selling and selling, and Backman has since gone on to write other books that are as good and almost as popular. Backman certainly has a talent for creating memorable characters, and it’ll be hard to forget Ove when you put the book down for the final time. This is a book I probably wouldn’t have ventured out to read on my own — I like weird fiction, after all, and this doesn’t really qualify — but I’m so glad that I got the opportunity to read it. This is a colourful wonder of a novel, one that makes you care about the lives lived with it. Thanks, Mom. It took me a while to get around to it, but I’m so glad you got me this to read.

Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove was published by Atria Books on July 15, 2014.

Of course, if you like what you see, please recommend this piece (click on the clapping hands icon below) and share it with your followers.

You may also be interested in the following review: Fredrik Backman’s Us Against You .

Get in touch: [email protected]

Written by Zachary Houle

Book critic by night, technical writer by day. Follow me on Twitter @zachary_houle.

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Book Review: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

By: Author Jen - MMB Book Blog

Posted on Published: 19 November 2021  - Last updated: 19 July 2024

The A Man Called Ove book has been on my radar for a while as I’d heard such great things about it. All of Fredrik Backman’s books seem to be hugely popular.

A Man Called Ove was a New York Times bestseller with over 3 million copies sold. It has also been made into a major motion picture titled A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks. I believe there’s also a 2015 Swedish film also based on the book.

I knew I’d want to watch the film so I decided to read the book first.

Disclosure : This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Genre: General Fiction Author: Fredrik Backman Buy: Amazon | Waterstones Published: 2012

Ove appears to be the grumpiest man in the world. He dislikes most things and believes himself to be surrounded by idiots. His neighbours are a particular source of annoyance for him, especially the perpetrators of the coup d’etat that ousted him as Chairman of the Residents’ Association. He still persists in making his daily inspection rounds of the local streets to ensure everything is as it should be.

Ove finds that life itself has become tiresome. When his new neighbours arrive, Ove, most reluctantly, finds himself thrust into their lives whether he likes it or not. His routines are thrown into chaos by Parvaneh and her family and she becomes determined to get to know this lonely old man.

A Man Called Ove Book Review

Ove is definitely a hard character to like at the beginning of the novel. He is bordering on bigoted and rude and it can make it hard to sympathise with him. However, as the story went on and the more I learnt about Ove’s life, the more I warmed to him.

It reminded me of Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune in that the main character is pretty unpleasant but embarks on a journey where his beliefs are challenged and altered.

I definitely warmed to Ove and his general grumpiness (without the prejudice!) was quite endearing when you knew the reason behind it. There were several amusing moments throughout and I loved his interactions with Parvaneh. Parvaneh was a great character and I thought the unlikely friendship between the two of them was beautifully written. I loved how she challenged him and infuriated him but ultimately also cared for him.

I found it to be really sad and touching in places, yet also hopeful and uplifting in others. The relationship Ove had with his wife was so lovely it brought me to tears.

Overall, I really enjoyed A Man Called Ove and would definitely recommend it. It’s a story of redemption, showing how one person’s compassion and understanding can transform the lives of those around them.

What books are like A Man Called Ove?

While the premises are certainly different, I personally found the following novels had a similar vibe to a Man Called Ove:

• Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior
• Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce
• The Storied Life of A.J. Filkin by Gabrielle Zevin
• The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

What to read next

Fredrik Backman has written several other novels and novellas so I’d definitely recommend reading those. I’d particularly recommend reading the whole Beartown series and I also really his novella, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer .

This book is featured on the following list:

Complete List of Fredrik Backman Books in Order 2024

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About The Author

Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove , My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry , Britt-Marie Was Here , Beartown , Us Against You , and Anxious People , as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand and on Instagram @Backmansk.

Product Details

• Publisher: Atria Books (May 5, 2015)
• Length: 368 pages
• ISBN13: 9781476738024

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Raves and Reviews

“A charming debut…You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel new sympathy for the curmudgeons in your life. You’ll also want to move to Scandinavia, where everything’s cuter.”

" A Man Called Ove is exquisite. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. Backman's characters feel so authentic that readers will likely find analogues living in their own neighborhoods."

– Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"Readers seeking feel-good tales with a message will rave about the rantings of this solitary old man with a singular outlook. 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

“A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love… The author writes with winning charm.”

– Publishers Weekly, starred review

“This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers… hysterically funny… wry descriptions, excellent pacing… In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden,generous heart.”

– Kirkus Reviews

"There are characters who amuse us, and stories that touch us. But this character and his story do even more: A Man Called Ove makes us think about who we are and how we want to live our lives. A Man Called Ove seems deceptively simple at the start, yet Frederik Backman packs a lifetime's worth of hilarity and heartbreak into this novel. Even the most crusty curmudgeon will love Ove!"

– Lois Leveen, author of Juliet's Nurse and The Secrets of Mary Bowser

“One of the most moving novels I have read this year. I defy anyone to read this book and look at a quiet withdrawn person the same way ever again.”

– Cayacosta Reviews

“[T]he revelations about his past are what make the story so endearing. Suffice it to say that along with the characters in the story, who come to discover that Ove is more than just the grumpy old man they first met, the reader is in for an enjoyable ride. A Man Called Ove reminds us that even the most difficult people have a back story that helps explain their current way of interacting- and perhaps, reveals the positive side of those qualities.”

– eMissourian.com

"If you have not heard of this author, Fredrik Backman, you are in for a major treat. Major.”

– Dunn County News

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Book News & Features

A swedish curmudgeon wins hearts, on the page, and now on screen.

Rolf Lassgård, left, stars as a grouchy widower in A Man Called Ove, which opens Friday in U.S. theaters. Music Box Films hide caption

Rolf Lassgård, left, stars as a grouchy widower in A Man Called Ove, which opens Friday in U.S. theaters.

Step aside Girl with the Dragon Tattoo — a grumpy old man may soon be taking your place as America's favorite fictional Swede. Ove — that's pronounced Ooo-vah — is the lovable curmudgeon at the center of A Man Called Ove . The film, which opens in the U.S. on Friday, is based on a Swedish best-selling novel.

At first, when director Hannes Holm was offered the chance to direct A Man Called Ove he wasn't interested — he was too afraid of the novel's many, many fans. "If you're going to shoot a best-seller you will have all these book lovers on your back all the time," he says. So he said "Thanks, but no thanks."

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But after he said no, Holm sat down to read the book. He started it in the evening, and by the time the sun rose, he says, his pillow was wet with tears. So he called the film producer and told him he'd changed his mind.

Ove is the kind of guy most of us try to avoid; he picks fights with storekeepers and prowls his housing complex making sure gates are locked and garbage has been properly stowed. He loves to make sure people are following the rules — especially dog owners.

But it is the gradual unfolding of Ove's life story that has made the novel by Fredrik Backman so popular. It was already a best-seller in Sweden when it landed on the desk of Peter Borland, editorial director at Atria Books.

"I'd never heard of it, I knew nothing about it," Borland recalls. He took A Man Called Ove home to read over the weekend and fell in love with the novel.

"Ove is such a curmudgeon at the start of the book," Borland says. "Then, as you gradually come to understand more about him, and learn his back story and figure out why he is the way he is, you just sort of melt."

Even so, Borland didn't have huge expectations for the book. Atria ordered a modest first printing of 6,600 copies. The book sold well in hardcover but really took off in paperback. Now, it's a New York Times best-seller and there are about one million print and e-book copies in circulation. Borland gives much of the credit for its success to independent booksellers.

Nancy Usiak of the Book Bin in Northbrook, Ill., grabbed A Man Called Ove from the stacks of books that publishers send to her store — the title intrigued her and she liked the cover. Usiak read it, asked her staff to read it, and asked them: Listen, am I crazy or do you love this book?

"Very seldom does one book hit notes for everybody that's in the store," she says, "and this is one of those rare exceptions that everyone who read it said: This is an amazing book and I can't wait to sell it."

Usiak says she loved the friendship that formed between Ove and his new neighbor, Parveneh, a young Iranian mother who won't be steamrolled by an old curmudgeon.

"He puts up such huge walls and here's this woman who walks into his life and all of a sudden she realizes that there's a lot of depth to him," she says. "I would hope that if I met someone like that I would have the patience that she did, to embrace him and find what's underneath all those layers."

Of course, it is just this kind of devotion that first made Hannes Holm uncomfortable about taking on the adaptation of this novel. He knows that fans worry a book they love will be ruined, and he hates seeing good books "massacred" on the screen.

"The audience and the director must meet each other," he says. "I think I must do a good job as a director and screenwriter to 'steal' the story out from the book — and then throw away the book."

Read A Review

Movie Reviews

A grouch gradually grows grudgingly grateful in 'a man called ove'.

When Holm read the novel, he realized that the story he wanted to steal was not about a grumpy old man — it was a love story told in flashbacks. The novel reminded him of looking through old pictures in his parents' photo albums. He remembers looking at black and white photos of his mom and dad before they had children — "I could see how much in love my parents were," he says.

A Man Called Ove is Sweden's official entry for an Academy Award for best foreign language film. Borland, the editor who launched the book into the U.S. market, says you can't really call it a "sleeper hit" anymore — it's a full-on success story. But, he says, he is keeping his expectations low for the Oscar race.

"I'm trying not to think about it too much, but I will admit in the back of my head there is an idea that it's going to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film," he says with a laugh.

The question is: Can you catch lightning in a bottle more than once?

"A Man Called Ove" just might inspire you to be kinder to grumpy people

Exploring the toll of tragedy and grief, Fredrik Backman’s novel affirms the healing power of being recognized, needed, and given the benefit of the doubt.

Why it’s essential

Ove is the ultimate lovable curmudgeon, whose story is a must-listen for anyone with a heart. Performed with the perfect amount of gruff by J.K. Simmons. Featured in .

What is A Man Called Ove about?

Set in Sweden, by is about a bitter, bereaved aging man who, thanks to freak twists of fate, the kindness of strangers, and the determination of his new neighbors, learns to embrace life again.

Editor’s review

Mysia is a book person who loves escaping into twisty mysteries and contemporary fiction driven by complicated characters. A few summers ago, I was looking for an uplifting fiction listen and found —a story about a hapless bank robber who accidentally creates a hostage situation and becomes embraced by a bunch of quirky characters. Performed by the always outstanding Marin Ireland, it made me laugh and left me feeling hopeful about the basic goodness of people, even complete strangers in a strange circumstance. Several months later, when my book club picked A Man Called Ove , I was delighted and looked forward to reading another funny, feel-good book by Fredrik Backman. Though Anxious People marked my introduction to the talented Swedish novelist, Backman made his debut with Ove and wrote five other books, including the acclaimed , before crafting the bungled crime caper that captivated me. In Ove , I expected to meet more quirky characters and laugh at their antics—and it did not disappoint. But I wasn’t prepared for how the saga of A Man Called Ove would move me to tears, soften my heart towards the curmudgeons I know, and inspire me to try to be more tolerant of and kinder to cranky people. When we first meet Ove, at age 59 in the midst of the exasperating endeavor of purchasing a computer, he comes across as an old fart. My first thought was, "Whoa! This guy’s not even 60, and he sounds at least 80." (My dad is 81, so I’m familiar with what a frustrated-by-technology 80-year-old man sounds like.) Set like concrete in his ways, Ove is a stickler for rules and has zero tolerance for fools, which, in his opinion, include pretty much everyone. He lives alone, he has no friends, and it’s not hard to understand why the people in his housing complex call him "the bitter neighbor from hell." Oh, and he wants to end his life. Ove is, to put it mildly, hard to like. So, why should anyone, including the reader, care about him? The answer is what makes this book quite wonderful and well worth your time. Over the course of the novel, Backman reveals Ove’s past piece by piece, and as we slowly get to know this cantankerous man, it’s impossible not to have sympathy for him. Avoiding spoilers, I’ll simply say that in his 59 years, Ove has endured hardship, isolation, and loneliness; been taken advantage of, taken for granted, and bullied; and suffered cruel and tragic losses. In fact, the more I learned about Ove’s life, the more I marveled at his resilience. I came to care about Ove through understanding what made him the way he is—forged by hard knocks and heartbreak, his grumpiness was grounded in grief. But A Man Called Ove isn’t simply the story of a pitiful geezer. I came to care about Ove on the strength of a character who makes it her mission to befriend him, whether he likes it or not—Parvaneh. We first meet Parvaneh, along with her laidback, lanky husband and their two chatty young daughters, when they move in next door to Ove and accidentally flatten his mailbox. She’s Iranian, an outspoken extrovert, and very pregnant—all qualities way out of Ove’s comfort zone. She sees something in Ove that makes her keep trying and pushing until she breaks Ove out of his shell. And when that happens, life changes in wonderful ways for not only Ove but also for Parvaneh and her family, for their complex’s residents, for a couple of teenage outcasts, and, last but far from least, for a scruffy cat whom Ove begrudgingly takes in. Parvaneh saves Ove from the grips of despair—and himself—by giving his life purpose. To my mind, she’s the novel’s heroine and true heart. In my book club, we had a lively discussion about what in the world drew Parvaneh to Ove and why she persisted when he kept shutting her out. I’m still a bit mystified—and amazed—by her. We also had a debate over the correct pronunciation of "Ove." For the answer, I turned to an expert narrator, as well as an outstanding character actor, J.K. Simmons. After I had read the paperback, I went back to listen to the audiobook, initially to hear the right way to say that Swedish name. But Simmons is so, so good—he nails Ove’s snarky remarks and Parvaneh’s brash upbeat attitude and all the hilarity, sadness, and surprises packed in the plot—that I wound up listening to the whole book, and laughing and crying, again. And it’s pronounced "oo-vuh."

Did you know?

Backman got the idea for the character of Ove from a blog post for a Swedish men’s magazine—recounting how a man named Ove exploded with rage while buying tickets at an art museum, until his wife intervened. Upon reading the post, Backman’s wife told him, "This is what life is like with you." After conceding her point, Backman decided to make it work for him. In 2009, he started a blog about his pet peeves and outbursts, under the heading, "I Am a Man Called Ove." Inspired by Ove’s popularity, Backman asked his blog followers if he should write a novel about him. More than 1,000 voted yes.

Backman’s debut novel was rejected by several publishers for its focus on death and lack of commercial potential before it found a home. To date, A Man Called Ove has sold more than 3 million copies worldwide, making it one of Sweden’s most popular literary exports since Stieg Larsson’s .

Content warnings in A Man Called Ove

Attempted suicide

What listeners said

"I laughed, I cried, I LOVED this book. J.K. Simmons was the perfect narrator. What a lovely story, the heartfelt moments snuck up on me and brought me to tears and then there would be a snarky comment from Ove that would then move me to laughter. Highly recommend this book!!" –Audible listener

"Powerful novel In its own right, but the narrator elevates it a notch further. Absolutely beautiful." –Kayla, Audible listener

"Lovely story. Beautifully written and performed. Ove is an amazing soul in a gruff exterior. Miss these characters already!" –Bookworm, Audible listener

"J.K. Simmons’s narration is perfect for the story. A beautifully written tale with identifiable characters who you will fall in love with." –Wesley, Audible listener

Quotes from A Man Called Ove

"All people at root are time optimists. We always think there's enough time to do things with other people. Time to say things to them. And then something happens and then we stand there holding on to words like 'if.'"

"He misses her so much that sometimes he can’t bear existing in his own body."

"It is difficult to admit that one is wrong. Particularly when one has been wrong for a very long time."

"Many people find it difficult living with someone who likes to be alone."

"All roads lead to something you were predestined to do."

Adaptations

A Man Called Ove has been adapted into two films—a 2015 Swedish film, A Man Called Ove , written and directed by Hannes Holm, with Rolf Lassgård in the leading role, and a 2022 American film, A Man Called Otto , directed by Marc Foster from a screenplay by David Magee, starring Tom Hanks as the curmudgeonly main character.

About the author

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish writer and #1 New York Times bestselling author. His books include A Man Called Ove (2012), My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (2013), Britt-Marie Was Here (2014), Beartown (2017), Us Against You (2018), Anxious People (2020), and The Winners (2022), as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World (2012). His books have been translated into more than 25 languages and published in more than 40 countries. He lives in Stockholm with his wife and two sons.

About the performer

J.K. Simmons is an acclaimed American character actor and voice artist. Over his career, he has appeared in more than 200 films and television roles and received prestigious accolades, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a British Academy Film Award. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the sadistic music instructor Terrence Fletcher in Whiplash (2014) and was nominated for the same award for his portrayal of William Frawley in Being the Ricardos (2021). On television, he is known for roles as varied as Dr. Emil Skoda on NBC’s Law & Order , white supremacist prisoner Vernon Schillinger on HBO’s Oz , and Assistant Police Chief Will Pope on TNT’s The Closer . Along with A Man Called Ove , his audiobook performances include thrillers by Tom Clancy, Chuck Logan, and Dale Brown. He is also the voice of Kai in Kung Fu Panda (2016), J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), and, since 1996, the Yellow M&M.

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A Man Called Over by Frederick Backman; Trans. Henning Koch, book review

A tale that tugs on the heart strings, article bookmarked.

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Since 2009, the performance company Station House Opera has taken its Dominoes project around Europe, assembling thousands of breezeblocks across cities only to then set them tumbling in a huge moving sculpture.

From Copenhagen and Helsinki, to Dijon, Ljubljana, and most recently Coventry, it's a performance that seems both to resonate with the contemporary climate of economic crashes and instability, while at the same time suggesting all is not lost as the communities the blocks wind their way through are brought together in order to create the visual spectacle.

A Man Called Ove, Swedish blogger Fredrik Backman's first novel, has something of these dominoes in book form. Backman's tale of 59-yea-old curmudgeon, Ove, not only captured the hearts of Backman's fellow Swedes, but has also swept across Europe as a word-of-mouth best-seller; a domino effect that suggests community spirit and social responsibility isn't quite so lacking as we're often told it is.

Ove is a man of few words, and those he does utter are mostly dismissive and accusatory. He holds himself "in that particular way of a middle-aged man who expects the worthless world outside to disappoint him". Ove is altogether more Carl Fredricksen from Up than Victor Meldrew, though, and it's not just that he lacks Meldrew's loquaciousness. The novel treads similar ground to the Disney Pixar film – Ove's an old fashioned gent; a man who can "take responsibility for things and fix a water heater if necessary," but to whom fate has dealt more than his fair share of cruel blows, ultimately leaving him facing retirement as a lonely widower. When a new family moves in opposite, Ove's solitude is shattered.

It's fairly easy to guess what happens next, but the predictability of Backman's story is part of its charm. While there may be a young gay man turfed out of his home by his homophobic father, and a chain-smoking, Skoda-driving council bureaucrat attempting to take an Alzheimer's sufferer into care despite the patient's wife's protests, Ove's world is still a somewhat Disneyfied version of reality. A landscape that's reflected in Backman's prose, the journalist in him avoiding anything akin to hyperbole. On occasion the slightly repetitive tone becomes cloying, but Backman can tickle the funny bone and tug on the heart strings when he needs to, and is a clever enough storyteller to not overindulge in either.

For those of you who don't want your fiction to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, A Man Called Ove isn't for you. Yet it's surprisingly cheering to think how many people have embraced this simple but heartwarming novel.

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A Man Called Ove: A Novel

A Man Called Ove by Swedish blogger and columnist Backman is one of those books you read and then want everyone else to read, too. It is also one of those books where you don't dare go into detail about the main character, the setting, or the plot because that would ruin the experience for others. Suffice it to say that the man whose name is Ove is a curmudgeon. He's grumpy. He's cantankerous. And he is a delight! Long may he harrumph!

Description

Now a major motion picture A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks! #1 New York Times bestseller—more than 3 million copies sold! 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).

About the Author

Fredrik Backman is the #1  New York Times  bestselling author of  A Man Called Ove ,  My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry ,  Britt-Marie Was Here ,  Beartown ,  Us Against You , and  Anxious People , as well as two novellas and one work of nonfiction. His books are published in more than forty countries. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand and on Instagram @Backmansk.

Praise for A Man Called Ove: A Novel

“A charming debut…You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel new sympathy for the curmudgeons in your life. You’ll also want to move to Scandinavia, where everything’s cuter.” — People "A Man Called Ove is exquisite. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. Backman's characters feel so authentic that readers will likely find analogues living in their own neighborhoods." — Shelf Awareness (starred review) "Readers seeking feel-good tales with a message will rave about the rantings of this solitary old man with a singular outlook. 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 “A funny crowd-pleaser that serves up laughs to accompany a thoughtful reflection on loss and love… The author writes with winning charm.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review “This charming debut novel by Backman should find a ready audience with English-language readers… hysterically funny… wry descriptions, excellent pacing… In the contest of Most Winning Combination, it would be hard to beat grumpy Ove and his hidden,generous heart.” — Kirkus Reviews "There are characters who amuse us, and stories that touch us. But this character and his story do even more: A Man Called Ove makes us think about who we are and how we want to live our lives. A Man Called Ove seems deceptively simple at the start, yet Frederik Backman packs a lifetime's worth of hilarity and heartbreak into this novel. Even the most crusty curmudgeon will love Ove!" — Lois Leveen, author of Juliet's Nurse and The Secrets of Mary Bowser “One of the most moving novels I have read this year. I defy anyone to read this book and look at a quiet withdrawn person the same way ever again.” — Cayacosta Reviews “[T]he revelations about his past are what make the story so endearing. Suffice it to say that along with the characters in the story, who come to discover that Ove is more than just the grumpy old man they first met, the reader is in for an enjoyable ride. A Man Called Ove reminds us that even the most difficult people have a back story that helps explain their current way of interacting- and perhaps, reveals the positive side of those qualities.” — eMissourian.com "If you have not heard of this author, Fredrik Backman, you are in for a major treat. Major.” — Dunn County News

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A Man Called Ove: A Novel (Paperback)

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August 2014 Indie Next List

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A Man Called Ove: A Novel Audio CD – Unabridged, December 13, 2022

• Language English
• Publisher Simon & Schuster Audio
• Publication date December 13, 2022
• Dimensions 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• ISBN-10 1797149490
• ISBN-13 978-1797149493
• See all details

Editorial Reviews

From the artist, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (December 13, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1797149490
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1797149493
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9 inches
• #5,168 in TV, Movie & Game Tie-In Fiction
• #5,591 in Books on CD
• #10,728 in Humorous Fiction

About the authors

Henning koch.

Henning Koch was born in Sweden but at an early age moved to England. After studying English Literature at London University, he spent a decade traveling and working in Asia, the United States, Spain and South America. He has a strong interest in literary translation and he has introduced a number of Swedish writers on the international stage. His love for Mediterranean and Hispanic culture has been a strong influence in his writing. His short story collection "Love Doesn't Work" and his novel "The Maggot People" are both published by US independent publisher Dzanc, and his novel "A Bit of Black" is available on Kindle.

Fredrik Backman

Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, Britt-Marie Was Here, Beartown, Us Against You, and two novellas, And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer and The Deal of a Lifetime, as well as one work of nonfiction, Things My Son Needs to Know About the World. His books are published in more than forty countries. His next novel, Anxious People, will be published in September 2020. He lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his wife and two children. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter @BackmanLand or on Instagram @Backmansk.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 72% 20% 5% 2% 1% 72%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 72% 20% 5% 2% 1% 20%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 72% 20% 5% 2% 1% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 72% 20% 5% 2% 1% 2%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 72% 20% 5% 2% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book delightful, incredible, and beautiful. They describe the story as heartwarming, inspirational, and touching. Readers also find the humor entertaining and playful. They praise the writing quality as well-written and effortless. They find the characters relatable and colorful. Reader also find it insightful and raw. Opinions differ on the pacing.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book delightful, beautiful, and well-written. They say it's a good story for readers of all ages. Readers mention it'll be remembered long.

"This is a story worth reading again and again . It is told with both simplicity and clarity and tugs at the reader’s heartstrings...." Read more

"...This is a sunny and hopeful book. It was a wonderful choice for my Thanksgiving week reading . Is it great literature? Probably not, but I loved it!..." Read more

"...A Man Called Ove' is one of the funniest, charming , poignant, and saddest books I've read in a long time, with all four of these descriptors having..." Read more

"...Such a beautiful soulful book. Everything in it is fenomenal : the writing style, story, characters, EVERYTHING!..." Read more

Customers find the story heartwarming, human, and profound. They say it evokes every emotion, laughter, anger, frustration, and tears. Readers also describe the book as terrific and touching. They mention it makes them appreciate life and those that are in it.

"...It is told with both simplicity and clarity and tugs at the reader’s heartstrings ...." Read more

"...This is a sunny and hopeful book . It was a wonderful choice for my Thanksgiving week reading. Is it great literature? Probably not, but I loved it!..." Read more

"...A Man Called Ove' is one of the funniest, charming, poignant, and saddest books I've read in a long time, with all four of these descriptors having..." Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed the book's exploration of loss , healing, and the unexpected connections that shape our lives...." Read more

Customers find the humor in the book hilarious and poignant. They say the book makes them laugh and cry. Readers also mention the writing style is fun and quirky. They appreciate the author's perfect English idiom and colorful characters.

"...It combines hilarity and poignancy in a marvelous cocktail of emotional reading...." Read more

"...A Man Called Ove' is one of the funniest , charming, poignant, and saddest books I've read in a long time, with all four of these descriptors having..." Read more

"...This book still brings on the laughter and the tears and the love for it and the characters is just as strong...." Read more

"...This book is still a good way to unwind at the end of the day, its funny and touching...." Read more

Customers find the writing quality of the book well-written and easy to lose yourself in. They say the author uses words effortlessly and with purpose. Readers also appreciate the wonderful method the author utilizes. They mention the humor is fussy, complex enough to keep them from being bored, and light.

"This is a story worth reading again and again. It is told with both simplicity and clarity and tugs at the reader’s heartstrings...." Read more

"...Such a beautiful soulful book. Everything in it is fenomenal: the writing style , story, characters, EVERYTHING!..." Read more

"...It’s a wonderful sweet book that made me cry and cry. The writing is so sweet and melodic you can see every face as if it’s in front of you." Read more

"...The book reads like your favorite foreign film , emphasizing the many dimensions of the human experience...." Read more

Customers find the characters relatable and colorful. They also say the book has laugh-out-loud moments and evokes multiple feelings.

"...Everything in it is fenomenal: the writing style, story, characters , EVERYTHING!..." Read more

"...This was the Fredrik Backman book that I read and I was impressed by his character development ...." Read more

"...The plot is primarily character-driven ; we are constantly discovering who Ove really is underneath his gruff, grumpy exterior and who he has yet to..." Read more

"...recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read, with memorable characters ." Read more

Customers find the book insightful, poignant, and raw. They appreciate the vast array of interesting, quirky characters. Readers say the book teaches a powerful, memorable lesson in empathy. They also mention the ideas are clear.

"...Also, Backman is a skilled writer. He reveals details at exactly the right time , not frontloading backstory or dumping information on us too soon...." Read more

"...The sheer depth to Ove is profound and was a treat to explore throughout the novel...." Read more

"...The author of this book is an astute observer of people ...." Read more

"...Ove (both the man the book) appears simple yet is complex and fascinating." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some mention it's brisk, even, and a quick read. Others say the first half is very slow and the later end is rushed.

"...several scenes, especially towards the later end of the book, were rushed and too convenient, for what seemed to be the sake of pacing or perhaps..." Read more

"...author, giving the reader moments of pure joy, mingled with laughter, tears and highly satisfying scenes which will be remembered long after turning..." Read more

"...I put the book down near the 20% mark because it was so sad and I really wasn’t prepared to be depressed...." Read more

"...I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the story moved and by how charming the book was...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the predictable story. Some mention it keeps them guessing until the end and then wraps things up beautifully and poignantly. Others say the story is predictable and at times hard to believe. They also feel the conceit is too obvious and the ending is trite.

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In Liane Moriarty’s Bustling New Novel, Fate Takes Flight

There are stakes on the plane in “Here One Moment,” the latest from the Australian fiction powerhouse.

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By Leah Greenblatt

Leah Greenblatt is a Times editor.

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HERE ONE MOMENT , by Liane Moriarty

Nine novels in, Liane Moriarty’s output falls somewhere between empire and institution: a reliable bastion of breezy yet propulsive storytelling, smartly informed by relevant issues of the day (infertility, wellness culture, domestic abuse). Her books claim prime real estate at chain stores and airports kiosks and regularly go on to become glossy television fodder, more often than not fronted by her fellow Australian Nicole Kidman (see “Big Little Lies,” “Nine Perfect Strangers” and the upcoming “The Last Anniversary,” which she’ll produce).

At the same time, Moriarty is still consigned to the metaphorical broom closet of “women’s fiction” — dismissed as something less than literature or damned with faint pink praise. Never mind that her latest, the busy but unhurried “Here One Moment,” is as demographically diverse as a phone book. Granted, it helps when your character pool is pulled from a flight manifest: a short domestic plane ride between the sunny Tasmanian capital of Hobart and Sydney.

Or it should have been short, except for a two-hour delay that leaves passengers tetchy and frazzled, each one caught up in the private drama of mislaid plans. Among them: the 40-ish engineer missing his daughter’s grammar-school “Lion King”; the contract lawyer turned bleary stay-at-home mom left to wrangle a screaming infant and a vomitous toddler; and the beautiful flight attendant spending perhaps her worst birthday on the tarmac, distributing “light snacks” and strained apologies in between desperate rummages for a tampon.

Into this maelstrom of ordinary inconvenience arrives someone who may or may not be extraordinary: a quiet woman, neatly dressed and with hair “the soft silver of an expensive kitten,” who stands up in her seat 45 minutes after takeoff. “I expect catastrophic stroke,” she proclaims with no particular flair, pointing to a preoccupied 50-something man on a laptop. “Age 72.” And so it goes down the rows, the solemn finger of fate: Heart disease, age 84; cardiac arrest, age 91; diabetes, age 79.

Her impromptu performance might be dismissed as a kooky parlor game by the passengers whose presumptive ends still lie decades away, but it is less amusing to the ones given more immediate and violent fates: workplace accident, age 43; assault, age 30; intimate partner homicide, age 25. Even the baby on board, blameless except for the screaming, receives his sentence; drowning, age 7.

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