Nordic Book Club discussion
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A Man Called Ove
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April 2016 - A Man Called Ove
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Questions for A Man Called Ove1. How was your reading experience? Did you enjoy reading the book? What parts did you enjoy/not enjoy?
2. How does the opening scene, in which Ove attempts to purchase a computer, succinctly express the main points of Ove’s ongoing battle with the stupidities of the modern world?
3. Ove loves things that have a purpose, that are useful. How does this worldview fail him when he believes himself to be useless? How is he convinced that he can still be useful?
4. What did you think about the way the book was set up, with chapters jumping from past to present?
5. What kind of picture do you get of Sweden when reading this book?
6. As readers, we get to know Ove slowly, with his past only being revealed piece by piece. What surprised you about Ove’s past? Why do you think the author revealed Ove’s past the way that he did?
7. Although Ove has some major “disagreements” with the way the world turned out, there are some undeniable advantages to the modernization he finds so hollow. How do these advantages improve Ove’s life, even if he can’t admit it?
8. Parveneh’s perspective on life, as radically different from Ove’s as it is, eventually succeeds in breaking Ove out of his shell, even if she can’t change his feelings about Saabs. How does her brash, extroverted attitude manage to somehow be both rude and helpful?
9. Ove strives to be “as little unlike his father as possible.” Although this emulation provides much of the strength that helps Ove persevere through a difficult life, it also has some disadvantages. What are some of the ways that Ove grows into a new way of thinking over the course of the book?
10. Ove is a believer in the value of routine—how can following a routine be both comforting and stultifying? How can we balance routine and spontaneity? Should we? Or is there sense in eating sausage and potatoes your whole life?
11. The truism “it takes a village to raise a child” has some resonance with A Man Called Ove. How does the eclectic cast of posers, suits, deadbeats, and teens each help Ove in their own way?
12. Although we all identify with Ove to some extent, especially by the end of the story, we certainly also have our differences with him. Which of the supporting cast (Parveneh, Jimmy, the Lanky One, Anita) did you find yourself identifying with most?
13. What did you make of Ove’s ongoing battle with the bureaucracies that persist in getting in his way? Is Ove’s true fight with the various ruling bodies, or are they stand-ins, scapegoats, for something else?
14. On page 113, after a younger Ove punches Tom, the author reflects: “A time like that comes for all men, when they choose what sort of men they want to be.” Do you agree with this sentiment, especially in this context? How does the book deal with varying ideas of masculinity?
15. On page 246, the author muses that when people don’t share sorrow, it can drive them apart. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
16. What do you think of Ove’s relationship with the mangy cat he adopts? What does the cat allow him to express that he couldn’t otherwise say?
17. On Ove and Sonja’s trip to Spain, Ove spends his time helping the locals and fixing things. How does Ove the “hero” compare and contrast to his behavior in the rest of the book? Is that Ove’s true personality?
18. Ove and Sonja’s love story is one of the most affecting, tender parts of the book. What is the key to their romance? Why do they fit so well together?
Mod
Hi Marie,
It's okay that you didn't like this book! It's always interesting to hear people's thoughts on a book, positive or otherwise. We know there are some of our previous selections that were enjoyed only by a minority of the group.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our next book!
I finally got around to reading the book and I truly enjoyed it! What a delightful surprise—I would not have read the book had it not been on this book club list. Ove reminded me of a couple of Swedes I've met, hehe. Ove's generational & culture clashes with the supporting characters was well developed. I'm a bit disappointed that there might not be a continuation of this book because the supporting characters alone would make for a fine book series. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mod
Hi Carmen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about A Man Called Ove. Overall, it was a popular choice among the group. Maybe one day Backman will pick up with the supporting characters, until then you can check out some of his other works or our June book, The Core of the Sun, which I think is a great summer read.
Mod
Fredrik Backman will be at Scandinavia House Monday, December 12 at 7 PM to discuss A Man Called Ove and more!
RSVP here! This event will fill up quickly.
Hi Lauren, I loved Ove! I found him totally believable and I am about as tech savvy as he was so I didn't find him to be a stereotype. I attended the Backman event at SH. He was delightful, not a word I use often. He has created a character with universal appeal by going to the heart of the matter, directly addressing his despair and showing that his redemption depended on connecting to others. In this way he is creating peace in the world. We need that. The book is gaining a wider audience. I bought a paperback copy from a second hand book vendor on the street in Long Island City. I was very surprised. Of course, you introduced it almost a year ago. Looking forward to the movie which is now on Netflix. Your choices are great! Just downloaded a sample of True Deceiver and it seems unique. See you for the discussion 1/31/17. Happy New Year!
Claudia
Are you enjoying the book so far?