Maha Qazi

Book Review: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman #Bookclubbellas This is a story that grows on you with each chapter, just like the crochety protagonist Ove. Like his name, Ove is economical in manner and his habits. His wife often said, "If there's one thing you could write in Ove's obituary, it's 'At least he was economical with petrol." But there is another side to the grumpy curmudgeon we get to learn where the author makes him more human. Ove is a man of principles and decency. "We're not the sort of people who tell tales about what others do" at the cost of getting fired from his job. Ove also adopts a stray cat coming to its rescue at the hands of a dog. As Anjum aptly observes, Ove may have rescued the cat, but it is the cat who rescues Ove from loneliness. Backman's simple story telling is an exercise into peeling away the layers of hardness and bitterness we envelope ourselves in through life experiences, only to have them exposed and fall aside when touched by acts of human kindness. Asmat noted how Parvaneh means 'butterfly'the one who flies and adds color to existence. In the midst of a white dominated Scandinavian middle class neighborhood we find a mixed race couple who move in next door to Ove. The author uses the character of Ove as a means of self deprecating humor to show the stereotypical overtones locals have towards foreigners. In return, the 'foreigner' shatters the stereotype with her ways and gestures, teaching Ove and us never to assume. At the centre of this heart warming book is the story of a disgruntled man who misses his dead wife daily, but carries on with his impeccable principles while pondering to end his lonely life in the midst of his neighbors interrupting him. Sophia spoke of how a seemingly ordinary story has so many layers and life lessons woven in the everdayness of living. Ove is a man of few words but his actions and words always come from the right place. Favourite lines: 'Ove had never asked how he lived before he met her. But if anyone had asked him, he would have answered that he didn't.' 'You have to love me twice as much now,' she said. And then Ove lied to her for the second- and last time: he said that he would. Even though he knew it wasn't possible for him to love her anymore than he already did.'