From Modern Mrs. Darcy's 2017 Reading Challenge Reading for Growth: a book in translation
I hope to hit these lists hard, early on, because I have 100 books to read this year. The first book for the new year is A Man Called Ove by Frederick Brackman.
"Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—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" - Amazon
I adore this book.
Written by Swedish author (a book in translation) Frederick Brackman, A Man Called Ove, is a charming, witty, and delightful book that made me look at life, relationships, community, friendships, and legacy differently. How does a fiction novel impact someone so much to want to do life - better?
I cried.
I laughed often.
Which, by the way, is my favorite thing to do.
I rooted for Ove.
I rooted for his neighbors.
I rooted for love.
I love how Ove gave of himself and he didn't even realize he was doing it.
A feel-good book.
A wonderful first book to read for the new year.