A man called Ove

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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 my childlike optimist cheering along at each page.

This book came at a point in time, when I had almost stopped reading. I came across the film on Netflix, but it did not have an English subtitle/track. The next weekend, I went to the library I usually do not go to ( Kista Bibliotekt instead of Stads Bibliotekt)  and came across it. More out of curiosity, and intrigued by the coincidence, I picked it up. Well, the universe was certainly conspiring here. I did not know I wanted it, but get it I certainly did.

The book reaffirmed my philosophy of not judging a person too soon. Give them time, get to know them, and then let their actions be your guide instead of the initial interaction.

I hope you get a chance to read this book either now or in the future..Happy reading,






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