A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Book Title: A Man Called Ove
Author: Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
My Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥
Source: Library
Goodreads, Amazon UK

Goodreads Summary: 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.

What did I think? This is one of those heart-warming stories that even moves cynical beings like me. A grumpy old man finds a new purpose in life. It's amusing. Filled with wry humour and funny descriptions and depictions of Ove's life.

I especially loved the way the author portrayed Ove and his relationship with his wife.

"He was a man of black and white. And she was color. All the color he had."

"You don't fool me, darling," she said with a playful little smile and crept into his big arms. "You're dancing on the inside, Ove, when no one's watching. And I'll always love you for that. Whether you like it or not."

After a while I became somewhat disenchanted though, mostly because the plot follows such a predictable path.

Nonetheless it is a compelling story about a transformation and how events within our lives shape us and effect us in ways we (sometimes) can not imagine. 

Ove is a great character. He's grumpy, opinionated and set in his ways. He is a man that loves routine and he is unwilling to adapt. 

This novel was definitely a good way to start 2017, even though I am not gushing as much as most others who've read it. If you haven't yet, and feel like reading a feel-good, pick-me-up kind of story, A Man Called Ove will definitely brighten your day.