There are some books that hook you from the opening paragraph. They dispense with the niceties of building up and slowly sucking you in. Instead you plunge straight down a steep slope like the best roller coaster rides. A Man Called Ove has been one such ride for me. The story ( without giving too much away) is about an man, who now no longer has a day job and potters around the neighborhood. As the book progresses we find out more about him, his life and love and the people around him. An grouchy old man becoming everyone's favorite is an old trope in books. However, this is so beautifully written ( and beautifully translated into English from Swedish), that like the best books /movies it feels fresh.Each chapter uncovers a new layer to the person , and what seems like disjointed writing in an earlier chapter suddenly makes sense later. The book like Ove himself falls into place , just the way it should. It made me laugh out loud, cry, quietened the cynic in me and had ...
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