Title :: A
Man Called Ove
Author :: Fredrik
Backman
Genre :: Fiction
Rating :: 5.0
/ 5.0
To confess, I was a bit sceptical
to start a book titled, “A man called Ove” having a coverpage of an elderly
figure. I started reading the book and realized how wrong I could be. I bet one
can’t put down the book once started. You are so glued to the book not for its story
but for the Man Called Ove. Unlike
any other old person (mostly found around across any typical alley or nukkad)
Ove, is a grumpy 59 year old widower, very much in love with his own company, routine,
rules and job. And this job is taken away from him. Amidst the process of making
peace with this jobless life, the solitary world of Ove is turned topsy-turvy with
the entry of a boisterous chatty family across the street.
Through the chain of small
incidences happening between Ove and the family, and toggling the story line between
the past and present, Fredrik has gracefully canvassed the character of Ove from
being grumpy to a good humoured one or from being a self centric to a social
person or a kind soft hearted person toughened with cranky exterior you simply just
can’t resist in falling in love with Ove. This book is a roller coaster ride of
emotions; at one point it appears very hilarious and on the very next page the corners
of your eyes are misty.
The book seemingly appears to
be a biographic type but for me it’s a subtle passionate love story of Ove-Sonja, setting a very high standard
of couple goals. Opposites attract and yes it’s validated in this story also. He
loves machines and her interest lies in literature, he hates animals whereas
she longs for a pet, he is conservative while she is contemporary and many more
such traits are revealed in the book but no behavioural contrast seems to
shackle their marriage. Life was not a cake walk for the duo, but their love enabled
them to strive across.
Alongwith an essence of
romance, this book is a discovery of some of life’s simple facts showcased via
Ove’s journey;
- The past doesn’t just stay in past. It certainly does define you
- Habits or personal traits could change with time and surroundings
- Generation gap does exist and always an inertia (though initially) is seen in the elder generation while embracing it
-
Goodness lies in the world
and it definitely acts a cohesive force for survival of humanity
