A Man Called Ove, by Fredrik Backman

January's book is A MAN CALLED OVE by Fredrik Backman, originally published in Sweden. It may be a more light-hearted book than we're accustomed to in this book club, but it packs more of a wallop than you might expect. And I thought it would be a perfect read over the busy holidays.

I have noticed that the reviews, etc. on the web reveal way too much, about the character and the plot, information that I think might've ruined it for me if I'd known it before I read the book.

It's kinda like the night our family sat down to watch Thelma & Louise years ago. I said "I love watching a movie I know absolutely nothing about," and Durren replied "All I know is they die in the end."

Gee, I hope you've all seen Thelma & Louise by now!!

I picked this book for January because we are all so busy during the holidays and might not have been able to read a heavier book. And because I thought it expressed the love and joy that the season is all about. It's a good thing I did because these questions would probably be even later than they are! I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts about it and hope to see everyone there.

Also, my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Ralph are back in town and will be joining us again - they love our book club! And I believe Trudy is bringing a guest as well. Since we'll have guests, let's present a more Parveneh than Ove attitude!! Just kidding, we're wonderful all the time!!

Jonna

1. I may be the only one, but I like to get a general assessment at the beginning of the meeting. So, how many of you loved Ove?

2. We all know our own grumpy old men (not that 59 is old, mind you). Which of Ove's values do you agree of disagree with? Which of his pet peeves do you share?

3. As readers, we get to know Ove slowly, with his past revealed piece by piece. What surprised you about Ove's past? What piece of his past do you think had the most profound influence on Ove's personality / belief system?

4. Ove loves things that have a purpose, that are useful. How does this worldview fail him when he believes himself to be useless?

5. Parveneh seems to share his wife Sonja's near opposite approach to life, and both seem to have seen something in him that brought out what was in his heart, saving his life, in Parveneh's case (not to mention the others - Pat the Lanky One, the 7-year old, Nasanin, Anita, Adrian, Mirsad). Why do you think that is? Is it simply because he felt needed again? Or is he more motivated by his desire to please his Sonja, even after her death?

6. On page 246, the author muses that when people don't share sorrow, it can drive them apart. Do you agree? Why or why not?