A Man Called Ove

At first glance, a man called Ove is a grouchy, mean-spirited, private person. He completes his daily morning inspection of the neighborhood, alerts the proper authorities when the 24 hour parking rule has been broken, and strictly enforces the sign that reads “vehicular traffic is prohibited in the residential area.” He drives a Saab, always has and always will because that’s just the smart thing to do. He’s a simple man with a simple philosophy that right is right and wrong is wrong. Contented in his little bubble, Ove goes through the motions he’s created for himself–until the day that he decides to commit suicide happens to be the day the pregnant one and the lanky one with their seven and three year old girls become his new neighbors and replace his neat and tidy days of peace and quiet with chaos. From here, Ove embarks on a journey with this family and his neighborhood that brings the reader deeper into his present and past life, whether Ove likes it or not.

This audiobook, read by George Newbern, tells a plain yet surprisingly tender story rooted in human connections. Despite the fact that the Fredrik Backman wrote the original version in Swedish, the translation and narration are pleasantly pertinent and relevant across any boundary or society. Ove and all his oddities create a wittingly interesting comical tale. Below the compulsive habits and crusty exterior of Ove lies a touchingly relatable story of personal growth and companionship that will make readers fining themselves grinning the whole way through the absurd yet plain antics of his everyday life.  A Man Called Ove tugs at all the good places of the heart string while managing to supply a copious amount of laughter along the way.