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. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.
(Previous notes): Loved this book (translation from Swedish). Quirky story of a curmudgeon which is also a film (with English subtitles) on Netflix. Backman is a successful journalist, author, and blogger. Also enjoyed ‘Britt-Marie Was Here’ and I look forward to checking out his latest new release.
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. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.
(Previous notes): Loved this book (translation from Swedish). Quirky story of a curmudgeon which is also a film (with English subtitles) on Netflix. Backman is a successful journalist, author, and blogger. Also enjoyed ‘Britt-Marie Was Here’ and I look forward to checking out his latest new release.
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Find A Man Called Ove Fredrik Backman in PDF, EPUB, ebook, audiobook, print, or library editions.
Find A Man Called Ove Fredrik Backman in PDF, EPUB, ebook, audiobook, print, or library editions.
3 books in catalog
Character-driven contemporary fiction exploring grief, community resilience, and unexpected human connection gained wide international prominence through the 2012 novel A Man Called Ove. Written by Swedish author, columnist, and blogger Fredrik Backman, the story examines how small acts of neighborly persistence can reshape a life darkened by personal loss and social isolation.
Backman's books have achieved number one bestseller status in Sweden and have been published in dozens of languages worldwide, reaching readers through heartfelt narratives that balance lighthearted observational humor with serious life struggles.
Born on June 2, 1981, in Brännkyrka, Stockholm, Sweden, Carl Fredrik Backman worked as a columnist and blogger before establishing his career as a novelist. He published his debut novel, A Man Called Ove, alongside the non-fiction book Things My Son Needs to Know about the World in 2012. The immediate success of his fiction established his position in contemporary Scandinavian literature, leading to a succession of international releases including My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry in 2013 and Britt-Marie Was Here in 2014. His debut A Man Called Ove was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film and the English-language feature A Man Called Otto.
Backman expanded his scope with the Beartown series, beginning with Beartown in 2017, followed by Us Against You in 2018 and The Winners in 2022. These novels center on a small hockey town coping with trauma, moral dilemmas, and intense community loyalty. Alongside his full-length novels, Backman has written short fiction, including The Deal of a Lifetime, while continuing to publish internationally with works such as Anxious People in 2020 and My Friends in 2025. He resides in Stockholm with his wife and two children.
Backman's storytelling frequently focuses on misunderstood or socially isolated protagonists who find purpose through unexpected interpersonal relationships. His narratives merge observational humor with serious emotional themes, addressing anxiety, depression, grief, and the enduring bonds of friendship. By setting stories in shared spaces—such as an apartment open house during a hostage situation or a tight-knit sports town—he constructs character ensembles that showcase how ordinary individuals navigate adversity through compassion and community support.
3 books in catalog
Character-driven contemporary fiction exploring grief, community resilience, and unexpected human connection gained wide international prominence through the 2012 novel A Man Called Ove. Written by Swedish author, columnist, and blogger Fredrik Backman, the story examines how small acts of neighborly persistence can reshape a life darkened by personal loss and social isolation.
Backman's books have achieved number one bestseller status in Sweden and have been published in dozens of languages worldwide, reaching readers through heartfelt narratives that balance lighthearted observational humor with serious life struggles.
Born on June 2, 1981, in Brännkyrka, Stockholm, Sweden, Carl Fredrik Backman worked as a columnist and blogger before establishing his career as a novelist. He published his debut novel, A Man Called Ove, alongside the non-fiction book Things My Son Needs to Know about the World in 2012. The immediate success of his fiction established his position in contemporary Scandinavian literature, leading to a succession of international releases including My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry in 2013 and Britt-Marie Was Here in 2014. His debut A Man Called Ove was later adapted into an Oscar-nominated film and the English-language feature A Man Called Otto.
Backman expanded his scope with the Beartown series, beginning with Beartown in 2017, followed by Us Against You in 2018 and The Winners in 2022. These novels center on a small hockey town coping with trauma, moral dilemmas, and intense community loyalty. Alongside his full-length novels, Backman has written short fiction, including The Deal of a Lifetime, while continuing to publish internationally with works such as Anxious People in 2020 and My Friends in 2025. He resides in Stockholm with his wife and two children.
Backman's storytelling frequently focuses on misunderstood or socially isolated protagonists who find purpose through unexpected interpersonal relationships. His narratives merge observational humor with serious emotional themes, addressing anxiety, depression, grief, and the enduring bonds of friendship. By setting stories in shared spaces—such as an apartment open house during a hostage situation or a tight-knit sports town—he constructs character ensembles that showcase how ordinary individuals navigate adversity through compassion and community support.
