I've known this novel and the name of Swedish writer Fredrik Backman for a long time, ever since I saw "A Man Called Ove" on the list of Best Foreign Language Film nominations in Vietnam. Oscar 2017. But, up until now, I had only purchased a book to read because the plot of "The Man named Ove" did not seem to suit my reading preferences. However, after reading this book, I realized, "My God, why didn't I read this and Fredrik Backman's other works sooner?"
Oh my goodness, if I hadn't read this book, I'd have no idea how I'd missed such a beautiful gem in contemporary literature. I read nearly 450 pages of books in two weekends, from Friday night to Sunday night. That alone demonstrates how good "The man named Ove" is. This is a book that makes me smile for a split second before bringing tears to my eyes...
The story in this book, as the title suggests, is about a man named Ove who lives in Sweden, is 59 years old, and has recently retired, or was hired by his company. Trying to quit after more than a third of a century. He had only ever believed in Saab cars - supporting Swedish goods, always seeing life in black and white, good at building houses, repairing the furniture, and anything else related to things. Facts and principles of mathematics
He took the rules very seriously, to the point of rigidity, and it became taboo, somewhat harsh, and unpleasant when he believed that everyone in his position was ignorant and unworthy of doing things. His neighbors, because they do not follow the rules in their area. Furthermore, Mr. Ove is attempting suicide to be with his wife, who died 6 months ago. All of his plans were turned upside down when the family of Patrick and Parvaneh - a pregnant Iranian woman - and their two 8-year-old and 3-year-old daughters moved in. Mr. Patrick had previously driven a trailer into the mailbox in front of Mr. Ove's house.
The story has since been told in two parallel timelines, one in the past and one in the present. The presence of an old man who wanted to commit suicide but couldn't because fate and those around him didn't want him to die, and there was always someone or something that interrupted his day. Mr. Ove is committing suicide. The story of a young Ove boy who faced the tragedy of losing his father and mother when he was less than twenty years old, and then struggled with a world that does not accept gentle, honest people. When young Ove is bullied by his bad colleagues and scammed by a man posing as an insurance salesman, he is like the guy who lives in peace. The story then made my nose sting when the boy Ove met the girl Sonja - his first and only love - a woman like the bright, outgoing, and bright sun. In sharp contrast to Ove, she is outgoing and accepting of others. "People say Ove only sees life in black and white. She is also the color. "All of his hues."
That tragedy was not only encapsulated in a single moment when disaster struck, but it also lasted many months and days later, when Ove had to deal with guys in white shirts representing the state and the state itself - a bureaucratic state that, inadvertently, scrutinized and persecuted everything to deprive us of the right to compensation. A government is born not to serve the people or bring about justice, but to crush and destroy their lives. The kind of government is represented by obnoxious public figures hiding behind shiny empty bags that go back and forth, regardless of how frustrated the people are. And it is because of his hatred for those inhuman white shirt covers that Mr. Ove joined forces with the people who have now become his new family in one final act of rebellion in his life. He - Parvaneh, Patrick, Jimmy, Adrian, Anders, Mirsad - frees his old friend and foe, Rune, who has dementia, from his grip.
Not to mention living in a Nordic country like Sweden, where everything appears cuter than it is. I am a person who is slightly obsessed with Nordic countries; if I had a lot of money, I would try to register to live there. Oh, the land is large and there are few people, no traffic jams, good social security, no heat at all, it all sounds very appealing.
The story's ending is both sweet and bittersweet, with a hint of regret and a touch of sadness... Of course, there is a happy ending, but only a kind of happy ending. I'm still crying. So, everyone, read it and you'll see how good the story is. I guess I'll watch "A Man Called Ove" now; I just saw the trailer and cried a little more.