I read the large print version of this book. The chapters are short and I moved through it at a good pace. I estimate that I read the book in approximately seven hours. It was very enjoyable - one of those books that you feel like the people have become your friends. Ove is described as a curmudgeon but I saw a lot of my husband in him which made the book rather humorous for me. If I had any doubt that Ove was like my husband I was convinced in Ch. 14 (p. 192) - 15 years later and my husband still complains that I was late to our first date. Ove was born around 1950 and grouches his way through life. His view of the world is, "This was a world where one became outdated before one's time was up. An entire country standing up and applauding the fact that no one was capable of doing anything properly anymore. The unreserved celebration of mediocrity." (p. 123) His wife's view of Ove is that, "He believed so strongly in things: justice and fair play and hard work and a world where right just had to be right. Not so one could get a medal or a diploma or a slap on the back for it, but just because that was how it was supposed to be." (Ch. 16 - p. 216)
On a scale of 1 - 5 (5 being a lot of examples/instances):Sex: 0
Religion: 0
Gruesome: 0
Suspense: 1
Morality: 3
Traditional: 2
Sex - not even alluded toGruesome - several methods of death are discussed and there are a few accidents but nothing gruesome Morality - Ove is a very middle of the road kind of guy. He believes in doing what's right, but sometimes has an unorthodox way of getting it done. Traditional - late in the book a couple of gay characters are introduced (Ch. 29 - p. 356) and a marriage eventually results, complete with an adopted child. There are several instances of minor cursing that provide the book with an authentic voice but could cause discomfort for some. A couple get pregnant, then buy a house, then get married - out of a traditional order. This book is wonderfully full of subtle humor, for example, regarding neighbors who traded in a Volvo for a BMW, "You just couldn't reason with a person who behaved like that." (p. 78) Discussion Questions Can you identify with the frustration Ove experienced with new technology in Chapter 1? How much Ove is in you? (Road rage? Do you make up nicknames for people? Do you assume you know about what people are thinking or their motivations? How easily are you annoyed by others? How inflexible are you regarding rules?) What did you think the hook was for that Ove kept wanting to hang up in the beginning of the book? What clues did you pick up on? Do you think Tom killed Ove's dad? (pgs. 69 & 110) The book is full of wisdom. What were some of your favorites? Here are some examples:
Did you wonder why the Lanky One wanted to pry open the upstairs window anyway if it was snowing? Did Sonja choose Ove because he was like her dad? (Ch. 16) Ove and Sonja got pregnant, bought a house, then got married. (Ch. 20 - p. 258) Does this contradict Ove's character of doing things right? How does Ove's anger serve him in life? Would he have gotten the same results with kindness? What does this say about society? Discuss death as described in Ch. 39 (p. 456): Compare and contrast this with the end of life as described in Ch. 39 (p. 457):
Theme Ideas
Serve rice with saffron and chicken like the neighbor girls brought Ove in Ch. 3. (p. 36) Serve Iranian / Persian cookies in a blue plastic box like the neighbors brought Ove in Ch. 7. (p. 88) Serve homemade apple pie like the neighbors gave Ove after he painted their fence in Ch. 10. (p. 132) |
Book Club Reviews >