One Sentence Summary
A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming story about an unsentimental curmudgeon’s transition to a kinder, more understanding person.
Book Genre
A Man Called Ove is a fiction novel with elements of drama and dark comedy.
Main Topic of the Book
A Man Called Ove explores themes of family, community, loyalty, and identity. It shows how a grouchy old man, Ove, mourns the death of his wife and how he eventually finds joy in spite of his bereavement.
Key Ideas
- Family: Ove’s grief over his wife’s death is heartbreaking, and his devotion to her memory is inspiring.
- Community: Ove finds comfort and friendship in an unlikely group of ragtag characters that come into his life.
- Loyalty: Ove’s loyalty and commitment to his family and his friends is admirable.
- Identity: Ove’s life is a testament to the fact that our past does not dictate our future.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part 1: In the first part of the book, Ove is presented as an unyielding, curmudgeonly old man who has been recently widowed. He keeps to himself and goes about his daily routine of doing odd chores for his neighbors.
- Part 2: In the second part of the book, Ove is presented in a series of flashbacks through which the reader learns about his past and his family. Ove’s life story is told in vivid detail, touching on both the grief he has experienced and the joy he has known.
- Part 3: In the third part of the book, Ove’s attitudes begin to loosen up as he forms relationships with the people in his community. Ove eventually overcomes his grief and finds himself embraced by the people around him.
Key Takeaways
- Grief can be overcome with the right support system.
- Humility is key to finding joy in life.
- Family and friends are important, even if at first glance they do not seem so.
- Your identity is something that changes throughout your life.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Fredrik Backman is the author of “A Man Called Ove”. He is a best-selling Swedish author, whose books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He graduated from Gothenburg University with a degree in Business and Economics.
Target Audience
A Man Called Ove is suitable for all readers, as it is warm, funny, and filled with life lessons. It is suitable for a wide range of readers, including young adults as well as adults.
Publisher and First Publication Date
A Man Called Ove was first published in 2012 by Atria Books.