"A man called Ove" by "Fredrik Backman"

 A man called Ove

by Fredrik Backman

Rating: 4*

Death of a loved one can change us to the extent that we are ready to forget the world and kill ourselves with the hope of being near the ones we loved.  This is a story of a man who lost his wife to something he had no control of.  That lack of control is something which he struggles through every day of his life.  He wants to kill himself but there are event happening in his neighborhood which stop him each and every time.  Slowly and gradually he realizes that life still has some meaning even though his partner is not with him.  

It was a slow read in the beginning but picks up pace towards the end.  It is entertaining and heart warming to see such little things in life getting noticed and appreciated.  There is something in this book which keeps you going back for more and more.  The first impression of Ove is that of a grumpy old man but as we go through the book, that perception changes.  One realizes that to be able to know a person, a mere quick study is not enough; you have to know the complete story.  Who Ove was and who he became in love and what changed when that love left him.  

I wish though the book could have been more interesting in the beginning.  I was about to abandon it since it seemed nothing but a rant from an old grumpy man.  However, I think that is the crux of the story.  That is how we view people in real life also.  Maybe this is a life lesson to give people opportunity and benefit of doubt before judging them.