"But sorrow is unreliable that way. When people don't share it there's a good chance that it will drive them apart instead." - Fredrik Backman
These two sentences summarise the emotional journey that is A Man Called Ove by Swedish author Fredrik Backman. First published in 2012, and in English in 2014, it was thanks to the internet that I happened upon this beautiful book that has an even prettier cover.
Now, before we jump into the book review, I want to mention two things. First, stay with the book until the absolute end. You don't want to put it down until you have read the very last sentence. Second, it will make you feel strong emotions, so much so that you will be crying tears of joy, sorrow, and yearning.
Let's get it.
book review
On most days, my tears are reserved for the excess sadness that resides inside me. But, today, I made an exception. I bawled, not because of sadness, but due to the wholesome, lovely, and deeply-affectionate A Man Called Ove.
The novel starts out describing a man named Ove who is fifty-nine-years-old. He lives his life like clockwork, making rounds of his residential block to check whether everyone is following all the, many, many, signs that have been put up. Ove doesn't enjoy the company of others, and prefers to conduct his business alone, thinking of, and communicating with, his wife. This, until a boisterous and friendly family of four moves in across the street. As the story unfolds, we learn more about Ove and his life: his past, present, and future. Most of all, we learn of his relationship, so beautiful, with his lovely wife, Sonja.
Each interaction that follows, either with Parvaneh, her daughters, her good-for-nothing husband Patrick, or any of the number of unique characters, is heart-warming. There are times when I was crying because of the tiniest thing. It is the way the novel is written. Each phrase flows beautifully into the next one to form a sentence that will ignite something inside you. The novel is simple enough to read with little fluff. In some places, it is comical, the type that will make you laugh out loud. Ove's one-sided banter with the cat that hangs around his house, is one of the most personable aspects of the novel. We see Ove moving out of his shell and into the hearts of others. And, we see Ove building room in his own heart for others. Most importantly, we see a community that is ready to help each other at a moment's notice.
A Man Called Ove is, in simple words, about human relationships, unconditional love, and a man who is willing to accept change even when he thought he had given up on life.
By the end, I found myself crying, and for the first time, I didn't wipe my tears because these were tears of joy. The realisation that it was the shared sorrow and grief that ultimately brought everyone together had me sobbing.
It is a moving story that I will highly recommend to everyone, including my parents. The writing style is friendly, witty, and humorous, perfect for readers that don't enjoy complex writing styles. If you want a Sunday read, A Man Called Ove is the perfect choice. It even has a 2015 movie adaptation if you're interested!
This is part of a series titled "My Year In Books: 2022". Find more here.
Disclaimer: Opinions are mine, and mine alone.
Make sure to grab a copy at your local bookstore!
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