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A Man Called Ove By Fredrik Backman Sparknotes

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Meet Ove (pronounced ooo-vay). “He’s a curmudgeon - the kind of man who points at people he dislikes” (Backman 1). He has tight principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. A Man Called Ove was written by Fredrik Backman, a Swedish author. After the book blew up in Europe, it quickly made its way to the United States. Once in the United States, Backman soon became a New York Times Best Selling Author. This quirky novel tells the tale of Ove, a grumpy, fifty-nine-year-old man who has recently been forced to retire. He lives in a neighborhood where he is known as the “bitter neighbor from hell” (Backman 13). I was not sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I had seen a lot of positive reviews surrounding the novel. I read …show more content…

The author writes to teach a lesson about first impressions and living with a purpose. So when one November morning when a talkative young couple with 2 daughters moves in next door, Ove thinks they will be nothing but trouble. It is the lead-in to a heartwarming tale and unexpected friendship, all of which will change one cranky old man into a …show more content…

Ove talks about when he was growing up and how simple his life was, but as a reader I did not think his life was simple but different. However, I loved reading about once his neighbors decided to develop a friendship with him, he began to see himself in a entirely new light. He understood the true meaning of family and friendships which always kept me turning the pages. Ove’s good deeds began to outweigh his quirky ones.

The chapter describing Ove’s past helps the reader realize the amount of sadness Ove had endured in his lifetime. It portrays him as a caring son and loving husband, but always as a serious person who lives by his principles. Each chapter has a unique title such as ¨A Man Called Ove and Social Incompetence¨ and ¨A Man Called Ove isn't Running a Damned Hotel¨. This kept me questioning what the chapter would be about, and to my surprise, Backman always had a better ending planned then I had

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