BookBrowse.com
"An inspiring affirmation of love for life and acceptance of people for their essence and individual quirks...a perfect selection for book clubs...bittersweet, tender, often wickedly humorous and almost certain to elicit tears.
Best Books of 2015 San Diego Union Tribune
You will laugh, you will cry, as his heartbreaking story unfolds through the diverse cast of characters that enter his life, all uninvited. You will never look at the grumpy people who come into your life in quite the same way. A very memorable read."
San Francisco Chronicle
Even the most serious reader of fiction needs light relief, and for that afternoon when all you want is charm, this is the perfect book."
James McBride
"A magnificent homage to humanity and to the possibility of friendship and faith in long-lost love. It covers a lot of ground: marriage, love, race, class, division, gentrification. It's one of those good stories that connects."
CBS Local
"A light hearted, deeply moving novel about a grumpy but loveable curmudgeon who finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door. This quirky debut is a thoughtful and charming exploration of the impact one life has on countless others—and an absolute delight."
People
A charming debut…You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel new sympathy for the curmudgeons in your life. You’ll also want to move to Scandinavia, where everything’s cuter.
Eric Larson
"In turns moving and funny. . . I wager that you’ll soon fall in love with Ove and be deeply moved by his situation, and after spending time with him, may perhaps gaze at the world around you with a little more empathy than when you turned the first page."
Starred Review Booklist
"Readers seeking feel-good tales with a message will rave about the rantings of this solitary old man with a singular outlook. If there was an award for 'Most Charming Book of the Year,' this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down."
Cayacosta Reviews
One of the most moving novels I have read this year. I defy anyone to read this book and look at a quiet withdrawn person the same way ever again.
eMissourian.com
[T]he revelations about his past are what make the story so endearing. Suffice it to say that along with the characters in the story, who come to discover that Ove is more than just the grumpy old man they first met, the reader is in for an enjoyable ride. A Man Called Ove reminds us that even the most difficult people have a back story that helps explain their current way of interacting- and perhaps, reveals the positive side of those qualities.
Dunn County News
"If you have not heard of this author, Fredrik Backman, you are in for a major treat. Major.
Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"A Man Called Ove is exquisite. The lyrical language is the confetti thrown liberally throughout this celebration-of-life story, adding sparkle and color to an already spectacular party. Backman's characters feel so authentic that readers will likely find analogues living in their own neighborhoods."
Lois Leveen
"There are characters who amuse us, and stories that touch us. But this character and his story do even more: A Man Called Ove makes us think about who we are and how we want to live our lives. A Man Called Ove seems deceptively simple at the start, yet Frederik Backman packs a lifetime's worth of hilarity and heartbreak into this novel. Even the most crusty curmudgeon will love Ove!"
Columbia Tribune (Missouri)
Poignant and unpredictable, Backman’s book is filled with many twists and turns, as well as enjoyable characters and humorous situations."
San Francisco Chronicle
Even the most serious reader of fiction needs light relief, and for that afternoon when all you want is charm, this is the perfect book."
Library Journal - Audio
11/01/2014
In this first novel from Swedish novelist Backman, a stereotypical grumpy old man, Ove, finds his quiet life of solitude slipping away when a young family moves in next door. Ove is the kind of man who yells at kids to get off his lawn and is the bane of the local residents' association. He may come across as gruff and bitter, but behind the unpleasant exterior is a dignified man with a story of love and heartbreak. The new neighbors and a scruffy cat may be the perfect combination to break Ove out of his shell and help him truly to start living. This adorable tale starts slowly but quickly gathers speed as Ove's neighbors start testing his patience and upending his sad routine. George Newbern narrates beautifully. VERDICT Witty and full of heart, this is a tale with broad appeal.—Erin Cataldi, Johnson Cty. P.L., Franklin, IN
SEPTEMBER 2014 - AudioFile
Ove is a cantankerous, inflexible Swede who believes in hard work and following rules. After the death of his wife, he feels he has nothing to live for—but his many suicide attempts are thwarted by various people who simply refuse to mind their own business! Narrator George Newbern captures the deep sadness, as well as the humor, in this emotional story, perfectly portraying every character: a pregnant Iranian woman and her family, a young gay man, a newspaper reporter, Ove’s neighbors, and even a stray cat. As Newbern reveals the events that made Ove into such a curmudgeon, with too big a heart, his straightforward, tender performance will have listeners laughing through their tears. M.M.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine