UK Book Club discussion

Hi all, so the group read for March is: A Man Called Ove.
Join in the discussion here. Spoilers are allowed, but remember to put a SPOILER ALERT! at the start of your post. Happy reading!

I have started listening to this on Audible..

Great, Carole. :)

The film is currently on Netflix, here in Singapore, so I will save it until after I have read the book and see how they compare...

Oooh I listened to this on audiobook a few years back and enjoyed it 🙂

Finished this book a few months ago. And it’s still the best book I’ve read. Loved it!

Tom wrote: "Finished this book a few months ago. And it’s still the best book I’ve read. Loved it!"

👍🤗

I've started reading this, currently at 20% and unfortunately it's struggling to hold my interest. l'm usually pretty sure at this stage whether I'm in or out, but going to persevere on this one!

Loving this book so far… and had to Google pronunciation as Ove is repeated a lot through the book and wanted to make sure I got it right in my head! (sounds like ‘hoover’ without the ‘h’)

I believe they renamed the character to Otto in the movie and changed Crowns to Dollars?… for the American audience! 🙂

Disappointingly I saw the film before reading the book. Films are never as good. Can’t read the book now as I know the story. Never mind I’ll keep reading all you comments and wait until next month.

I’m struggling a bit with this one. …just 5 chapters in so far.

Stick with it, I feel in lave at about 40%

‘Love’ 🙄

‘Fell’ 🫣

Loved this book, and looking forward to seeing it on movie night with my boys. Great characters and the relationships between them, and of course a cat!

Just started this and I’m loving it so far! Thank you for putting this book forward - I’m really enjoying this read

I am having big trouble with this one. Only 20% read and it feels like a chore. Thank goodness it's short.

I can see what it's trying to do, but I'm finding it really clumsy - particularly in the dialogue and Ove's curmudgeonlyness (if that's even a word!) - maybe it's the translation?

I just feel I can see exactly where this is heading. I do hope I'm wrong.

It's been such a hit, I know I'm in the minority.

I really disliked The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared and I am getting similar vibes with this one.... Oh no!

Still, it's relatively early days, so I will persevere...

I’m struggling a bit too…although beginning to warm to it a little bit now. I’m also about 20% in. I’m listening to it, which I always find harder than reading as I find you have to concentrate more. It’s certainly not drawing me in….🤔🤫😔

What's the audio book like Carole? Is it one narrator, or do they have a range of voices to reflect the different characters in Ove's world?

I struggled in the beginning and I do find the narrative clunky and repetitive. Now I'm a little more of the way through (actually about 75%) it is quite heart warming but, still not my favourite. maybe I'm too cynical about people, but I think most people would have just left the grumpy old man alone!

Liz wrote: "What's the audio book like Carole? Is it one narrator, or do they have a range of voices to reflect the different characters in Ove's world?"

It’s just one narrator!

I just finished this and I was under whelmed! I can see why it became a film though, I guess the progression of the story not sure why I can see it as a film but I guess it just wasn't for me as a novel?

I'm still going, but at a snail's pace....

Same here Liz!

Over halfway now and still almost as grumpy as Ove about this book! The irony! Just had to shut the book again - I can only take it in small bursts.

I often struggle with supposedly quirky comedies, especially when they're also trying to pluck your heart strings... Imho it all feels so calculated and rather heavy handed.

So many people have enjoyed it, maybe I have actually missed a more subtle point? Or is it a marmite book (love it/loath it)?

If you liked it? What was it in particular that drew you in?

Maybe I can put this one down as just not my cup of tea....

When do we get to vote of Aprils book?

ASAP! I will put out a request for nominations on the main thread.

I have finally finished *sigh of relief* Well you can't love everything you read.

I also didn't love it...glad I'm not the only one! Hopefully April's read will be better!

Liz wrote: "I have finally finished *sigh of relief* Well you can't love everything you read."

I’m still ploughing on…!

Nearly there Carole!

Liz wrote: "Nearly there Carole!"

Yes, and I will always do my best to finish a group read…roll on next month. It can’t be worse lol.

Liz wrote: "Nearly there Carole!"

Finally finished..☺️

Woohoo! Well done Carole!

Liz wrote: "Woohoo! Well done Carole!"

Thanks Liz…when will voting start for May’s read?