A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Meet Ove. He's a the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him;the bitter neighbor from hell. But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?
Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.

You might not immediately think so when you read the description of the book but this contains one of the most real and heart warming stories I've ever had the immense pleasure to hold in my hands. This book is in short amazing.

Ove is a bitter old man, or is he? It's very hard to tell you anything beyond what it says above in the description without saying too much and spoiling key points and great moments, but I can tell you this. No man is as he is without reason. There is a background story, there are reasons. In this book Ove's story unfolds and it will touch your heart. It certainly touched mine.

I've laughed, giggled and hiccuped my way through it. I've cried, gone awww and sniffled. It's not necessarily filled with action and excitement, but there is never a dull moment. I heartily recommend it to just about anyone who are looking for something real. It is very very good.

	A Man Called Ove Original title: En man som heter Ove [Swedish] Read in Danish: En mand der hedder Ove by Fredrik Backman ISBN13: 9788771373349 357 pages / published in 2012
	Review by Iben Jakobsen, BoB, 2014