Play Book Tag discussion

A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.

Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.

Oh, I couldn't imagine liking the story about the grumpy old man so much!

This novel is so beautiful and poignant at the same time. I just loved all the characters and their little community. It is a story of being able to show love and care to all the people around us.

Backman weaves his story going from the present to the past and then back again to the present... And it worked for me really well. He doesn't lay all his cards on the table, he slowly - one by one - gives us the reasons for Ove's grumpiness. And when he tells them all, I feel the desire to care for Ove myself. He felt so real for me and so hurt. And what touched me the most was Ove's big heart - how he really cared for all his neighbours despite sounding not so loving.

This novel reminded me once again how important it is to get to know the person better before judging them. And I would recommend it to all my friends.

Well said! I loved this book too. It's so moving and sometimes funny. I loved how he built the story, layer by layer.

Great review!

I absolutely loved this book.

I can't believe I read it in 2015 and still haven't managed to read another book by him.

Diana H. wrote: "A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.

Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislik..."

Very good review. This is among my very favorite books.