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A Man Called Ove

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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Summary

Ove is almost certainly the grumpiest man you will ever meet. He isn't as young as he used to be. He drives a Saab. He points at people he doesn't like the look of. He is described by those around his as 'the neighbour from hell'.Every morning he makes his inspection rounds of the local streets. He moves bicycles and checks the contents of recycling bins, even though it's been years since he was fired as Chairman of the Residents' Association in a vicious 'coup d'état'.

But behind the surly pedant there is a story, and a sadness. And when on a November morning his new (foreign) neighbours in the terraced house opposite accidentally flatten Ove's letterbox, it sets off a comical and heart-warming tale of unexpected friendship which will change one man - and one community - from their very foundations. Quirky and bittersweet, heartbreaking yet outrageously funny, A Man Called Ove is a life-affirming fable for our times.

©2014 Fredrik Backman (P)2014 Hodder & Stoughton
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What listeners say about A Man Called Ove

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BEST BOOK EVER!!!!

Fantastic characters, well written, heartwarming story. Stick with the first few chapters as I wasn't sure if it was "my thing" but I loved it!!

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30 people found this helpful

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Misunderstood Ove

This was great black comedy of an angry Saab driving Swedish man. However peel away the layers and there was a very sensitive man with great morals who you could not help but love.

The crux of the book is that Ove's wife had died, she was his "raison d'etre" and he did not see the point of life without her. However others around him especially his few friends and neighbours saw the man he was, through some laugh out loud and tearful chapters

It was lovely to have snip-its of his young life and his meeting of Sonja on the train and their lives reflecting on the present day.
Great quotes.....Ove saw the world in black and white and she was the colours, Ove went through life with his hands firmly shoved in his pockets and she danced. It was no wonder he missed her so much.

Fabulous read.

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1 person found this helpful

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Utterly brilliant

I am grumpy Ove. This book is a must listen. I loved every single word.

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  • Overall
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Beautiful heartwarming story

I love this story. It's a brilliantly told journey of grief and relationships. If you want a book that will delight you with its descriptiveness and honesty then take a journey with this book.

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  • Overall
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Ove

Incredible characterization. A pleasure to listen to and recommended to all and sundry. Followed up with all his other books.

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Funny, captivating and easy to listen.

59 years old Ove is a strong character, funny, strong headed...
His story is intense, his life is rather interesting and meticulous.
I had tears in my eyes many times, from laughing and from crying.

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didnt want it to end!

I loved the book, great characters and story. I think this will be one of the few books I listen to more than once.

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would listen again.

beautiful story, very well told
more engaging than reading it which I struggled with

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heart warming

What a beautiful story. funny, sad and full of humanity.
It was most enjoyable to listen to - I didn't want it to end.

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I wish there were more stars to award

what a terrific story. laugh out loud and tears flowing everything you could want from a story. very well read and altogether an escape to another place

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