A Man Called Ove
2012 · Fredrik Backman · 320 pages · Literary Fiction
Fredrik Backman's debut novel about a grumpy 59-year-old widower whose neighbors keep interrupting his plans to die is one of those books that sneaks up on you. It starts as a comedy about a cranky old man yelling at people who park incorrectly, and it gradually becomes something much deeper and more moving. Ove is a beautifully constructed character whose rigid exterior hides a lifetime of love, loss, and loyalty. The book is funny, sad, and warm in ways that feel earned rather than forced. It's not subtle, and Backman occasionally pushes too hard on the emotional levers. But by the time you reach the final pages, chances are good that Ove has become someone you care about more than you expected.