A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman is a masterclass in the "grumpy old man with a heart of gold" trope, blending acerbic Swedish humor with a deeply moving exploration of grief and community. The Story at a Glance

The book suggests that even when you want to give up on the world, the world—in all its messy, annoying glory—might not be finished with you yet.

Ove is the kind of neighbor who patrols the neighborhood at dawn to check for incorrectly parked cars and scowl at anyone who dares to enjoy themselves too loudly. To the world, he is a bitter, rigid rule-follower. In reality, Ove is a man paralyzed by loss after the death of his wife, Sonja—the only person who ever truly "saw" him.