A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Did you like the 2009 Pixar animated movie "Up"? Or the cranky Oscar Leroy on TV's "Corner Gas"? If so, you'll love Ove.
Ove is a glass-is-always-half-empty elderly man who finds people disappointing, fights a futile one-man war against traffic offences, and rails against bureaucrats, that is, the "men in white shirts." As his story unfolds, the reader learns that beneath the cranky exterior is a kind man with an intense desire to do the right thing.
One of my classmates suggested that everyone should read this book. As a teacher, I think that's wise advice. Ove's story reminded me that there are reasons for our students' behaviour and those reasons may not always be immediately apparent.
Throughout this book, I laughed out loud. I cried. I truly missed the characters when the book was done.
Fredrik Backman, a well-known blogger and columnist in his native Sweden, launched the character of Ove in a blog post and his readers demanded more. A Man Called Ove was born. It's a hit in Europe and I predict it being popular among readers this side of the globe, too. The chapters are short, which makes it a perfect bedtime read.
A Man Called Ove serves as a reminder that kindness, happiness and love can often be found in the most unlikely of places.
Did you like the 2009 Pixar animated movie "Up"? Or the cranky Oscar Leroy on TV's "Corner Gas"? If so, you'll love Ove.
Ove is a glass-is-always-half-empty elderly man who finds people disappointing, fights a futile one-man war against traffic offences, and rails against bureaucrats, that is, the "men in white shirts." As his story unfolds, the reader learns that beneath the cranky exterior is a kind man with an intense desire to do the right thing.
One of my classmates suggested that everyone should read this book. As a teacher, I think that's wise advice. Ove's story reminded me that there are reasons for our students' behaviour and those reasons may not always be immediately apparent.
Throughout this book, I laughed out loud. I cried. I truly missed the characters when the book was done.
Fredrik Backman, a well-known blogger and columnist in his native Sweden, launched the character of Ove in a blog post and his readers demanded more. A Man Called Ove was born. It's a hit in Europe and I predict it being popular among readers this side of the globe, too. The chapters are short, which makes it a perfect bedtime read.
A Man Called Ove serves as a reminder that kindness, happiness and love can often be found in the most unlikely of places.