A MAN CALLED OVE

At 59, Ove is a grumble Gus of the first degree. Rules are made to be followed, signs are meant to be obeyed, and don’t even get him started about computers and mobile phones. In truth, Ove has been this way his whole life, but he’s gotten worse in the last four years since his wife, Sonia, died, taking with her all the color in a world Ove sees as black-and-white. Ove has decided life without Sonia is not worth living and plans to join her in the next world. But a young couple and their two children (a third is on the way) move in next door, his oldest friend and most feared enemy is about to be forcibly removed to a nursing home, and a street-scarred cat insinuates itself into his life. Suddenly, Ove’s suicide plans get delayed as he helps solve neighborly crises large and small. Though Ove’s dark mission mitigates any treacly upstaging by animals and small children, 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.

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There is something about Ove. At first sight, he 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. He will persist in making his daily inspection rounds of the local streets. 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? In the end, you will see, there is something about Ove that is quite irresistible...The word-of-mouth bestseller causing a sensation across Europe, Fredrik Backman's heartwarming debut is a funny, moving, uplifting tale of love and community that will leave you with a spring in your step - and less ready to judge on first impressions a man you might one day wish to have as your dearest friend.

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Delightful... there's a bit of Ove in all of us - which makes it the perfect holiday read' Evening Standard Each short chapter of A MAN CALLED OVE stands alone as a beautifully crafted short story. Bring them together and you have an uplifting, life-affirming and often comic tale of how kindness, love and happiness can be found in the most unlikely places. Sunday Express A Man Called Ove is a wonderful novel that will stay with you ... Ove's story has an underlying sadness which the author tackles with great warmth and humour ... It's a bittersweet, heartwarming tale which will leave listeners with a restored faith in the power of friendship and perhaps even a love for cats. Psychologies Magazine It's warm, funny, with the laughs based on a solid grasp of character; and ultimately almost unbearably moving. Daily Mail 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 A warm and tender story about love, loss and second chances, peppered with memorable characters, wonderful set pieces and some beautifully black humour. Ove is a joy from start to finish. Gavin Extence, author of The Universe versus Alex Woods 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:

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 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 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 A truly remarkable story! I HIGHLY suggest reading this! It gets you in the heart. Forget The Rosie Project! THIS is the book to be reading! Lauriehere.com It's hard not to love every character in this book it especially Ove, loyal to a fault and more principled than anyone you could ever meet. This book is so tender and bittersweet and delightfully funny; it has all the feels. I am hitting the internet to purchase this book so I can spread the Ove-love as soon as I'm done with this post. thisismybookblog.blogspot.com Brilliant book. Would make a fantastic movie. I totally loved it and laughed out loud repeatedly and kept telling my husband about the story as I read it. Ove's story is just fabulous. thebookbindersdaughter.com Not only is it a fun novel to read, it's very well written. litrant.tumblr.com So. Many. Feels. This book wormed its way into my heart, and won a place on my permanent shelf. Highly recommended to anyone who liked The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, is interested in a debut from an international author, or is looking for a heartwarming read, generally. morningsidemuckraker.com My absolute summer-reading must is A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman: perfect beach reading for a grumpy old man. It has all the minimalist delicacy of STONER, but with a delicious wry wit. The book works on a very small scale, yet it sweeps through intense life dramas, all the while remaining funny, moving, uplifting... and a cracking good tale. Rodney Bolt, author of of As Good as God, as Clever as the Devil.