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A Man Called Ove

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A Man Called Ove

By: Fredrik Backman
Narrated by: Joan Walker
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About this listen

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 Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Feel-Good Heartfelt Funny Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Witty
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So sorry to have finished this intriguing book. Would highly recommend. Innovative and funny whilst always engaging.

A man called Ove Splendid

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I loved this book! It deals with the deep and inarticulate love of Ove, the central character. Written with simplicity and insight, where a few well chosen words invited me to go deeply into myself in a life affirming way.

Life affirming delight

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Ove is a grumpy old man. Ove is 59, his wife died 6 months or so ago and he has just been made redundant from his job. Ove wants to die to be with his wife, he has nothing left. Ove lives in a housing complex which has rules which must be followed and they WILL be followed. A family of four with another one on the way move into the vacant house next to his.
Initially Ove comes across as a sad lonely grumpy man who just wants to die. As the story developes and he gets to know Parvana and her family next door who unwittingly thwart a few of his suicide attempts we get to know Ove and the sort of relationship he had with his late wife.
The story goes from past to present to past etc and we get to know Ove and what makes him tick and also his present relationships and gradually he starts to get less grumpy and realises that maybe there is something to live for.
Its a lovely story with what I thought a predictable ending with a bit of a laugh.

Story of a Grumpy Old Man

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loved it, great story. narration was excellent. nice easy listening. i would definetly recommend it .

great book

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This book is sad, happy, depressing, uplifting all at the same time. A joy to listen to.

Wonderful

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so many different emotions, in the end he got what he wanted. beautiful story makes one open their eyes to the many different characters in this world, we are all unique and quirky in our own way

love the relationship between "the cat" and Ove :D

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Beautiful. Uplifting. Heartwarming. what a beautiful book. Loved this very human story, I laughed, I cried, I loved. Now one of my favourite books of all time!

Stunning - now a favourite!

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Such a beautiful story. I wish it was longer.
Try it and you won’t regret it.

Great

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Fredrik Backman is SO clever. I loved Anxious People and had to read more from this brilliant, clever author.
And now I’m off to find another of his books.

Tremendous

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What a lovely, heart-warming and at times heart-wrenching story. Such darling characters. Excellent performance. Definitely recommend.

Absolutely loved!!

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