A Man Called Ove

By: Fredrik Backman

Narrated by: Joan Walker

Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's 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

Incredibly sweet

What a fantastic novel. I laughed like a horse, cried like a baby, and can't stop thinking about it.

Achingly Beautiful

I fell in love with Ove as much as Pervana did. Made me cry and laugh at the same time.

One of the best books I've read

I had high hopes for this book and it definitely did not disappoint. This is one of the sweetest and most beautiful story on love, family, friendship and learning to not judge a book by its cover. It will be worth every minute of your time!

Amazing

I loved the book. The story is so mesmerizing that I couldn’t force myself to stop reading.

I fell in love with each and every character from the book ❤️

Absolutely amazing read!

Ove

What an absolute delight. I am so glad that I listened to the book. Great narrator.

Heart felt story

I listened to the audio version of this story and it was so well done. Great job by the narrator.

Ove is that grumpy old neighbour that no one really likes in the street. He says what he thinks, obeys every rule in the residents book and tries to make sure everyone else upholds it.

He is nosy and can be over bearing. He is very routined and has little tolerance for the neighbourhood household pets or children.

He cannot comprehend how any young man cannot do simple things like use a screw driver or change the tyre on a car. Incompetence infuriates him.

He is also very lonely :( He is a widow and misses his wife so much. He is basically waiting for the day when he will join her again and the day cannot come soon enough.

Then a family moves into the street everything changes for him. The life skills he has are now needed by those around him. Even though he still grumbles about it. He finds himself doing things he never expected to and even though he won't admit it, almost enjoying himself again.

This was a wonderful heart warming story that I'm sure a lot of people can relate to. Ove will probably remind you of someone you know and it's also a reminder to make friends with your neighbours, you never know how lonely they may be :-)

A read like no other

What did you love best about A Man Called Ove?

This book was not your usual story. The characters where interesting and engaging and the story realistic yet unpredictable.

What other book might you compare A Man Called Ove to and why?

None, because it truly is original.

Which character – as performed by Joan Walker – was your favorite?

Ove, I fell in love with him.

I want to listen again!

I absolutely loved this audiobook. The story is fantastic at combining humorous and serious aspects of life. It's so... human. There was a bit of every character in me, and that was quite enjoyable. The author's style is equally wonderful. This book made me laugh hard and cry subtle tears. The narration is really engaging, and I found the production to be flawless. I would definitely (and probably will) listen to this book again.

A must read!

Every book reader MUST read this and those who dont read should definitely read it to understand why book reader's read so much because the characters, the words and the story of this wonderful book just move you like only magic can!!

This book is one in a million.

Be prepared. You will snort-laugh, you will cry but most of all you will fall in love with these characters. Brilliant book and brilliant narration.