A Man Called Ove

Ove is fifty-nine, drives a Saab, and has strong opinions about everything from the correct way to back up a trailer to the moral failings of people who drive BMWs. Since the death of his wife Sonja, he has settled into a routine of inspecting the neighborhood, enforcing parking rules, and generally making himself unbearable. But when a young Iranian-Swedish family moves in next door and accidentally runs over his mailbox, Ove’s carefully guarded loneliness starts to unravel.

Why Start Here

A Man Called Ove is Backman’s debut and his most universally beloved book. It establishes everything that makes his writing distinctive: the dry humor, the precise observation of everyday Swedish life, the ability to make you laugh and cry within the same paragraph. Most importantly, it introduces his signature character type, the difficult person who turns out to be deeply kind underneath all the gruffness.

This novel is also the most accessible entry point to Backman because it tells a complete, self-contained story. His later works, particularly the Beartown trilogy, are more ambitious in scope but also more demanding. Starting with Ove lets you fall in love with Backman’s voice before committing to longer, more complex narratives.

What to Expect

A warm, funny, emotionally rich 337-page novel that alternates between Ove’s present-day life and flashbacks to his past. The humor is dry and distinctly Scandinavian. The supporting cast, including an overweight cat and a persistent neighbor, is wonderful. Expect to feel unexpectedly attached to a fictional grumpy old man. Adapted into two films: a Swedish version (2015) and A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks (2022).