A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman
Even old curmudgeons must have their last day. Frederick Backman with great hilarity tells us about the unexpectedly deep feelings of a man called Ove.
If only other people wouldn’t keep interrupting Ove’s meticulous plans. He has always been meticulous. As a young man, his expertise in repairing trains (professionally) and cars (naturally) gave him great satisfaction. Each part in its correct place made mechanics perform to specification. Ove cannot see why all life should not function in the same, practical way.
Ove’s beloved wife died before he did, which is not at all what he had expected. They had a special relationship, supported by Ove’s ability to repair everything in the house with the exact correct procedures and tools. Sonja loved Ove without question, finding his attention to detail amusing and endearing, but was adamant about expressing her own opinions. Ove can still hear her advice and admonishments in his head, even the ones about sociability that he prefers to ignore.
Across the road in his housing complex, a rowdy (his view) family moves in. Their introduction comes from smashing Ove’s mailbox, as the father tries very unsuccessfully to reverse the trailer attached to an unfamiliar car. Ove immediately rushes out of his house to berate the father. “Cars are not allowed to drive there! Any idiot can reverse a car and trailer! Idiots who cannot should not try! Look at my mailbox!”
The Lanky One (in Ove’s mind) apologizes profusely. His wife doesn’t see this as a big problem. She is hugely pregnant and is already a mother to two little girls. As Ove discovers, the three-year-old knows no social graces. If she wants to come in, she does. She asks questions and expects answers. When Ove is tricked into being kind, she pats his hand or knee.
After the family invades his privacy and property, other people find chinks in his armour. Often, they just assume he is interested in them, passing off his curmudgeonly behaviour as modesty. Ove’s standards will never be lowered, even as he shows more and more inclination to help people in his community. He postpones his planned last day.
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