Friday, July 15, 2016

Book Beginnings: A Man Called Ove

I am taking part in the Friday book beginnings hosted by Rose City Reader. Here is the link to the Book Beginnings host Rose City Reader  and here is this book's beginning: "Ove is fifty-nine. He drives a Saab. He's the kind of man who points at people he doesn't like the look of, as if they were burglars and his forefinger a policeman's flashlight."
Here is a quote from page 56, for Freda's Voice where she hosts Friday 56. Actually page 56 gives away a bit too much so I am using a quote from page 51 which Ove says to a nasty woman neighbor.
"If you throw that stone into my property, I'll throw you into your garden!"

Here is my review of this book, which I give 5 stars.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. Translated from Swedish to English.
This book captivated my heart. I cheered for the iceberg of Ove to melt and live again. What an interesting guy, a curmudgeon aged 59, who has a strong code of ethics that he rigidly adheres to. He meets neighbors who need his help, resists giving it, but his private code says he must help them. The men in white shirts are symbols of what is wrong in his society and in ours: unhelpful and sometimes vindictive bureaucrats. Force a man into a nursing home. Allow his home to burn down because it is on a boundary between two agencies. Make life a misery for Ove and his wife. Ove befriends a wonderful varied crew, ranging from a young man Ove calls “bent” who comes out as gay, another young man who wants to fix a bicycle to gain the affection of a girl, an immigrant from Iran who likes the prickly Ove, and more. He meets his match in the feral cantankerous cat and they end up adopting each other. This is one of my top ten books I  read this year thus far and I am sure it will remain in my list of favorite books of 2016.
Good news, there is a movie made of this book in 2015 which is garnering a huge audience in Europe and awards for its star. I would like to see this movie, with English subtitles. The movie is in Swedish, I think. An American company has bought the rights to this movie and I am not sure what this means but it sounds promising. If they film a new version I want Clint Eastwood in the role of Ove; he was brilliant in Gran Torino. I know Clint could play age 59!

21 comments:

Jennifer said...

I loved this book and reviewed it in my blog earlier this year! I hope the movie is released here soon!

Lady Jane said...

This looks like an interesting read, I will look it up. Thanks for the review. Hugs, LJ

Sandra Nachlinger said...

Ove sounds like a fascinating and unforgettable character. I'll definitely read this book.
My Friday post features THE REVENANT.

Pom Pom said...

Great review! Now I shall read it!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I loved this book too. When I started reading it...I didn't know what to think. It seemed so different from most books I've read. But the more you read...the more you get drawn into the story. Good review my friend. Happy reading! (I went to the library today!) Hugs, Diane

Unknown said...

This looks like a good book. I have seen it around a lot. Happy Reading!

fredamans said...

Ove sounds like quite the character. Happy weekend!

Wanda said...

Sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Will see if our Library has it.

Anonymous said...

I LOVED this book so much. I have yet to talk to someone who didn't adore it.

DawnTreader said...

I haven't read the book, but I have seen the movie. (I am Swedish, as you might remember!) I was a bit disappointed, I think I had got the wrong expectations about it from reviews and opinions I had read and heard beforehand. Or perhaps I just wasn't in the right mood. (I found it sadder than I expected.) Perhaps I should read the book!

Linda said...

WE read this for our book club, very good, very interesting!

Ann said...

Not heard of the book, but really sounds good. Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my upcoming 50th Wedding Anniversary party.
Ann

Maria said...

This is the first time I've seen this book but I loved the beginning and the 56(really 51) both - it made me smile. Hope you get a chance to see the movie - I love foreign films too. Here's my Friday meme

River said...

It sounds interesting, but maybe not available in Australia. I'll keep a look out for it though.

living from glory to glory said...

I will look at our libraries for this book! I am so enjoying reading during these hot days!
But the movie will always be not as good as the book don't you think?
Hugs, Roxy

Deborah Montgomery said...

Sounds like a possible book for our book club. We are getting ready to vote again on choices for the next year. And I loved Gran Torino!

Lauren Stoolfire said...

This has been really popular at my library! :) Thanks for sharing.

Check out my Friday 56 (With Book Beginnings).

Sam I Am...... said...

I can't stand Clint Eastwood but I can see where he might be good in that role....it's when he got into politics that I learned to laugh at him and he does not do well with comedy. I finished Ove and when I first started reading it I thought it wasn't going to be very good but it really surprised me! Like you, so far this year it is #1!

Susan said...

Hello Terra. Hope your Saturday is a delight. You have traveled a lot! Wowsers. Thanks so much for your visits to my posts. Love them. Susan

Literary Feline said...

I didn't realize this was a movie too! I hope it is available in the U.S. I would love to see it. I also loved the book!

Linda said...

WE read this book for my book club and loved it too. I didn't know it was a movie either and would like to see it also.