A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

I don’t know what made me put this on my reading “wish” list at the library years ago, but it came to my attention again in December 2017 when I was scrolling through my library list, trying to find something to read that wasn’t based on WWII events.  I was intrigued by the back cover and took a gamble on checking out the audiobook. It was everything I needed to hear and nothing at all like what I expected.

Initially, I hated strongly disliked Ove, but as I learned his story, my heart softened and I came to love him for the heart he worked so hard to hide from the world.  I loved the tenacity of his neighbor, Parvaneh.  Despite the fact that I cried through the ending of the book (sometimes through my laughter), I found that I picked up the audiobook a second time just a few weeks later and listened to it again.  And again, just over a week later, I listened to it again. For me, it was the kind of story that lifts my heart, while keeping me firmly rooted in the reality of the world.  I love this book, so much that I just checked out the audiobook again today.

I’ve said very little about the storyline because I want readers/listeners to experience the storyline without any spoilage from me.  Please, read this book with an open heart and an open mind. I hope you enjoy the experience as much as I did.

My rating: 10/10