A Man Called Ove

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a heartwarming and profoundly moving tale of an irritable yet loveable curmudgeon, Ove. Living in a small Swedish town, Ove is the quintessential cantankerous neighbour, a stickler for rules, and a man who believes in strict principles and routines. His life takes an unexpected turn when a boisterous young family moves in next door, accidentally flattening his mailbox in the process. What follows is a charming and uplifting story of unlikely friendships, community spirit, and the transformative power of love. More than just a tale of an old man and his peculiar ways, A Man Called Ove delves into deeper themes. Ove’s gruff exterior hides a story of heartache and resilience, and as the narrative unfolds, readers are led through the tender and poignant moments that have shaped his life. Through Ove's interactions with his quirky yet warm-hearted neighbours, we witness a beautiful exploration of loss, redemption and what it means to truly connect with others. The million-copy bestselling phenomenon, Fredrik Backman's debut novel has captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Perfect for fans of Rachel Joyce's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project and David Nicholls' Us. New York Times bestseller

Critics have lauded A Man Called Ove for its emotional depth and humour, with the Daily Mail describing it as "warm, funny, and almost unbearably moving." The Spectator hailed it as a book that "rescued all those men who constantly mean to read novels but never get round to it," making it one of the standout Books of the Year.

At first sight, Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He thinks himself surrounded by idiots—neighbours who can't reverse a trailer properly, joggers, shop assistants who talk in code, and the perpetrators of the vicious coup d'etat that ousted him as Chairman of the Residents' Association. Yet, Ove persists in making his daily inspection rounds of the local streets, upholding what he believes is the proper order of the world.

But isn't it rare, these days, to find such old-fashioned clarity of belief and deed? Such unswerving conviction about what the world should be, and a lifelong dedication to making it just so? Through Ove's story, Backman deftly illustrates how a single person’s actions can impact the lives of many, highlighting the importance of community and the human capacity for growth and change.

In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible...