In many ways, this felt reminiscent of Up- minus the balloons of course. The crotchety old man at the core, the surprise friendships and the life purpose to pursue… though admittedly this is a far less jaunty goal and deals with some adult themes.
Still, even as this lurches into bleak territory, Backman’s light touch kept me steady and I ultimately found it an uplifting story. Not that it didn’t have its tearful moments- I went on quite the journey of emotions here: from chuckles to getting all watery-eyed to squee’ing with glee by the end (what can I say, I’m a big softie at heart 😉 )
I will admit to being a bit on edge after my experience with Beartown, expecting another political sneak attack- fortunately however the villainous Authorities were mercifully unrooted in political ideology- which only served to make them more chilling (frankly, who isn’t bothered by faceless government agencies stomping on an individual’s freedom?). Fortunately, this ended up being a definite success and more than delivered on the promise of being a charming, heart-warming tale.
Above all, I adored the characters, especially Parvanah (I love how her name means “butterfly” and how much that both clashes with her personality and emphasises her brightness). And I do love how every single character was fleshed out- even the cat!
It was beautifully written. I especially thought the brief and effective use of ALL CAPS was brilliant- since that’s rarely done well. I did appreciate the blend of flashbacks as well. The one criticism I did have was that for such a short book, it took forever. While I did love it, the pacing was v e r y s l o w.
Don’t let that put you off though! Maybe just read it when you’re more in the mood for something with a luxuriant pace.
4½/5 bananas
So have you read this? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comment!
“luxuriant pace” I’ll have to remember that one for future reviews.
I’ve seen pretty decent reviews for this one too. Glad to know you liked it. Will have to consider it.
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hehe go right ahead 😉 Thank you! Hope you do consider it 😀
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I loved Up! From what I can tell, I think I’ll love this book as well, it sounds so nice! Plus, 4 and a half bananas? That’s gotta be good! My TBR is suffering :’)
Great review!
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Ah brilliant! It was really good 😊😊 hahaha I so relate! Thank you!
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I’m glad you enjoyed it! Great review!!!
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Thank you!
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This has been on my physical TBR for a while now. I have heard great things about it, and mixed reviews about his other book Beartown, though it seems many of the complaints are that the pacing was too slow…
I can’t wait to read it :]
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Ah well yeah I think the pacing is slow in both, but I had slightly different issues with Beartown- I do think this was better though 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
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I had many emotions when reading this one! This was my first by him and he’s a favorite author now. 💖 Loved your review. 😁
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Ahh yes I totally relate!! And I’m glad!!! Thank you!! ❤ 😊
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I was hesitant to click on this post because I ADORE this book, and I was scared that perhaps you would be less enthused. I admit I immediately scrolled down to see how many bananas it got. I breathed a sign of relief when I saw the 4.5. I can’t put my finger on it, but this book made me cry like no other book. I’m glad you enjoyed it as well. Great Review!
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ahh I’m glad you weren’t disappointed with my review 😉 I really liked it too!! Thank you!!
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I read this a couple of weeks ago and like you absolutely loved it, although I agree about the luxuriant pace. There is something very likeable about Backman’s writing and I think everyone knows an Ove.
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Ahh I’m really glad you liked it too! There really is 😊 And that’s true!
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I haven’t read it but a lot of book-loving friends recommend it. I am not a fan of very esoteric books especially slow paced but I might give it a chance.
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That’s fair enough, I can say it’s not too obtuse though, so hopefully you’ll enjoy it if you do give it a try 🙂
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Awesome review! I’m so happy you enjoy it. This is one of my favourite books ever! It really goes remind me of Up!
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Thank you! I really did 😊😊
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I’m not. In fact, I rather enjoy when faceless government agencies stomp on my individual freedoms. Bring on the KGB!
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hahaha 😂😂 well freedom is overrated- especially in the UK 😉
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Oh, where do I start?
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Ach tell me about it- in the UK someone’s just been convicted of telling a joke
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Oh my, I thought only Americans were that crazy…
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Bradbury’s prophecy is going to be fulfilled soon!
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Aye- it’s not looking good
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Sometimes I feel lucky living in a small backwards country where political correctness hasn’t really got a grip.
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Yeah that’s for sure. To say it’s “gone too far” in the UK would be an understatement.
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“A man called Ove” was my first Backman book and I loved it. It is the novel that I pester all who will listen to READ! Since this one, I’ve gone on to enjoy many more Backman titles and I’ve enjoyed them all. “A man called Ove” and “Beartown” are my two favorites so far.
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Ahh I’m really glad you liked it too 🙂 And I’m glad to hear you liked other Backman books too.
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I really enjoyed UP as well, but I don’t think I’d like this book.
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Fair enough, I really don’t think it would be for you
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Fantastic review!! This book has been calling my name for so long… I think it’s finally time I pick it up!
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Thank you! That’s brilliant!
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I’ve seen a lot of good reviews of this book. I might have to add this to my tbr…
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Brilliant!!
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I’m so glad to see you liked this one, I was a little worried about it being overhyped. It seems like this is the place to start with his work.
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Thank you! I really don’t think it was overhyped and definitely the best place to start 🙂
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Hello!
I loved this book as well, though I do agree about the slow pacing. Despite it being a short book, this one took me a while to get through. Glad to hear that you enjoyed this book 🙂
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ahh I’m really glad!! Yeah I did feel the same way about the pacing. Thank you!! I really did 😊
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Sounds like this one can pack quite a punch with all them emotions it can make ya feel. Saw a lot of praise for it from James too. And funnily, I thought of UP when reading both of your reviews for this hahah Glad you enjoyed it far more than Beartown! Awesome review as always. 😀
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It really did! And that’s great! hehehe! I do think there are parallels, even if they’re very different. Thank you!! 😀
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I watched the movie and cried my eyes out!! I’ve been meaning to pick the book up since then, heard many great things and I’m glad you could add to that list! 🤗
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Ah I really want to watch the movie now! 😊 It’s really great- I do recommend it!
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Great review! Probably not for me since I struggles with the really really slow ones but glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Thank you! Fair enough!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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This is on my TBR! I’m looking forward to it, I love when characters are fully fleshed out.
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Ahh great!! 😀
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I adored this book!!! Have you read his other one My grandmother say sorry (Not sure about the title)? It’s in the same lines as this one, you cry, you laugh and you want it to last forever.
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Ahh I’m glad 😊 No I haven’t- but i’m really curious about it now- it sounds so good!!
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I LOVED this book. Easily in my top 10. I was bawling at the end. Have you read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry? Another heart warming book.
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Ah I’m glad you agree! It really was emotional! Ooh that sounds good!
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I read this when it first came out and I just found it so…slow……that I struggled to really get into it. All that detail about Volvo cars really bored me. In saying that, Parvanah was a brilliant character – it was so nice to see a heavily pregnant woman doing something other than just sitting around being pregnant. I also liked the representation of older people that showed both their good and bad sides – as you said, every character was fully fleshed out. There’s just something about Backman’s writing style that I struggle to connect with. I’ve finally finished Beartown and had exactly the same problem.
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Ahh yes I totally get it! understand. it was really slow and I can understand why that bored you. She really was a fantastic character and I really liked how it focused on lots of different types of people. But I can understand why you had a problem with the style- I think I struggled more with the style in this one, weirdly enough, but both of the books had a similar issue for me.
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Very nice review! Your words flow together so smoothly, Love it!
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Thank you!! That’s very kind of you to say!
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I saw the movie last year, when it was nominated for an Oscar (I watch every single Oscar nominated film!) so I doubt I’d be able to go back and read the book now.
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Oh I really want to watch it now- I don’t know how I completely missed that it was a movie!
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Love the comparison to Up. Definitely makes me want to read it more because I really need to read about more old man protagonists; the book sounds really wonderful! Great review!
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Thank you!! I’m really glad 😊 It definitely was! Thank you!
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This sure looks like a clear winner! I adore Up so the fact you got some vibes of it from this makes me want to go see it for myself 🙂 Of course it won’t be the exact same or make me feel the way Up did but I like that it’s similar in ways. Too bad about the slow pace. That can absolutely make or break a book for me.
Amazing review!
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I’m glad!! 😊 Yeah it really is different, but there was the heartwarming element 🙂 Yeah it did have that issue unfortunately, but overall it was worth it. Thank you!
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Saw the film of the book at the Edinburgh Film Festival two years ago, twas a wonderful film and the slow pace of the book is captured well in it.. Your review reminds me I never did get round to reading the book, something I should rectify soon. Another inspiring review, thank you!
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That’s so cool! I didn’t know that it was a film until I made this post- so now I feel like I’ve got to check that out 😉 Thank you so much!
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I keep hearing such amazing things about the book. Glad you loved it too. I am thinking of taking the easy way out and watching the movie
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Oh I didn’t realise there was a movie- that’s cool!
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This one’s on my list, and I’m obviously going to read anything that gets 4.5 bananas. 😉
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Brilliant! I’m so glad 😀
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Oooh I haven’t heard of this one. I think slow stories deserve more love though! Sometimes there is nothing better than making your way through a book that only gradually reveals itself.
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Yeah it definitely deserves some love! Absolutely! 🙂
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I read this last year with my book club and adored the story! I am a big sucker for eccentric characters though. I really liked how one of the themes of this book is that you can’t really judge someone unless you know the whole story. It was a wonderful book to discuss. When I recommend this book to others, I always warn them that they need to be in the mood for a slower paced, but heartwarming, story.
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Ah I’m really glad! Me too! I totally understand that. Yeah I think that’s great too. But yeah the pace is pretty slow, so it’s good to know about.
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So glad you liked this one! I hadn’t heard of it until now, but will definitely be taking a peek at it. Great review!
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Thank you!! I’m so glad!! 😀
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It’s interesting how sometimes a slow pace can be luxurious and other times it can be plodding. Great review!
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Yeah for sure! Thank you!
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I loved this one too. And it reminded my Up too. I loved it so much that I went ahead to pick his other book (My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry) right away but I did not feel so good about it. Some day i will dare again to pick something from the author again.
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Ah I’m glad you thought so too. Oh that’s fair enough- I read one of his other books (Beartown) and came away with mixed feelings too, so I get the trepidation.
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I loved this book too! I also really liked Parvaneh and I agree, the writing was beautiful. Awesome review! 🙂 I also did a review on this book if you would like to read it: https://thebookworld20.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/a-man-called-ove-book-review/
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