“What was the value of a man?” Ove believed a man needed a purpose, whether that be working, supporting his loved one, or ensuring order in his local community. So, when Ove, a 60 year old Swedish man, finds himself unemployed, widowed, and kicked off his neighborhood board he believes himself to be useless. In the novel “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman, he answers this question through Ove’s experience with a new family who moves next door and changes his outlook on life. It’s a story of loss, love, loneliness and community that is overwhelmingly relatable, and the reader cannot help but draw connections between Ove’s life and their own.
During the latest meeting of FPM’s Book Club, the members had an opportunity to discuss Backman’s novel. President, Emma Mathew, led the group through complex questions about its many themes. For example, self-worth, grief, masculinity, and unconditional love were just some topics mentioned. A survey given after the meeting revealed that the average rating of the book was a four point five out of five stars. In addition to the discussion and survey, the club members enjoyed trivia about the novel and hot chocolate courtesy of club advisors Ms. DiRe and Dr. Plackis.
Before choosing to read the book it’s important to know that Backman changes time lines in Ove’s life frequently between past and present. Readers see the adversity Ove faced as a child and adolescent that framed his point of view. His father was an honorable and hardworking man who unfortunately passed away eight years after his wife’s death. Ove, an orphan by 16, dropped out of school, built a house by hand, watched said house burn down, bought his first Saab, and then met Sonja.
Sonja “was color” while Ove was “black and white.” Love being a main theme of the novel is primarily portrayed through Ove and Sonja’s relationship. She loved him unconditionally, despite their first interaction being based on a lie. Ove used to ride the train with her. When she passes away and Ove later loses his job, he becomes severely depressed and even suicidal. He keeps all her things as they were before she died, and her opinion of him shapes his actions. When he wants to be his ornery, unfriendly self he thinks of Sonja and makes an effort for her.
In regards to the many characters Backman writes, he excels at forcing the audience to empathize with each one. There are many different personalities and characters such as a pregnant immigrant mother, a closeted bakery manager, a troubled teen working two jobs, a lanky IT consultant, and of course Ove. The author uses each one to convey the importance of self-worth. For instance, Ove was helpful and kind but could not recognize his own purpose without Sonja. By helping Parvaneh, his heavily pregnant neighbor, and her children, he found a new family, and in the end when Parvaneh’s two young girls call Ove “Grandpa”, he fully understands his worth and transforms from a stubborn, grumpy old man to a generous and caring one.
Along with being immensely popular among FPM’s Book Club, “A Man Called Ove” has received national recognition and was even adapted into a popular movie starring Tom Hanks. “A Man Called Otto” was inspired by Backman’s book, however it was set in the United States and has a few other differing details. For those interested in the novel, but not ready to commit to reading it may find a great introduction through this movie. Overall, “A Man Called Ove” was an enjoyable bittersweet novel that may change your perspective on life. Anyone looking for a new good read should try Fredrik Backman’s debut novel!
