Fredrick Backman's book is one I have heard a lot about and one that I saw recommended everywhere. It promised to hit me deep and make me reconsider life and all the grumpy old people I know. Did it accomplish its mission? Well...

The story does somewhat remind me of Pixar's 'Up' - you know, the touching movie about an old man who goes on a quest to accomplish his wife's dream after she dies, while also trying to avoid being sent to an old people's home? Yes, that one, the one I always cry at (that's why it's been a while since I've seen it). 

This novel has a similar premise, Ove's wife, Sonja, died six months ago. He was also forced into retirement because he was no longer needed at a job where younger people proved to be more efficient. He has no friends, no family and he hates his neighbors. Especially the new ones - the ones that ruined his suicide by backing their car into his mailbox. 

And this is where the adventures begin. They include the new neighbors, their daughters, an old friend, an overweight neighbor, a stray cat, a dog that doesn't look like a dog, a blonde bimbo, Saab cars, an iPad, teenage crushes, bikes, a gay kid... We are also brought along on a tip down memory lane, where we learn about how Ove was raised, how he became who he was and about Sonja.

Now, the story is touching, but I felt as if it took way too long t get to the point. I needed an explanation for Ove's behavior earlier, otherwise he's just an old dick. Some of his opinions are very weird and I do not approve. Not everything can be excused by considering his age (he's in his 50s, so it's not as if he was born that long ago.) He shames a neighbor for being fat, frequently noting his appearance, he belittles his career as an tech engineer (he makes apps) as not being a real job, he straight up asks a kid he's met for the first time if he's gay (I don't know which word he used exactly as I read the translation). He also thinks that anyone who doesn't drive a Saab is not normal. Also: “Ove feels an instinctive skepticism towards all people taller than six feet; the blood can’t quite make it all the way up to the brain.”

Now, these could be just his quirks, but there was something about the fact that he was so stuck in his ways that didn't sit well with me. Maybe because I have grown up with a man like him so it chafes. I must say that I am devastated by the tragedy that Ove and Sonja went through, but I am glad that he never became a father. I'm not confident in his ability to be a good one.

I am glad I've read this, but unfortunately, I did not enjoy it too much. I will try watching the movie (I am so unused to using subtitles, I've been watching movies in English without them for so long...) and maybe that will make me reconsider and like the story somewhat more. But for now, I am glad that it's done and over with.