Man Called Ove, A  Un hombre llamado..., Fredrik Backman
Man Called Ove, A  Un hombre llamado..., Fredrik Backman
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Man Called Ove, A \ Un hombre llamado Ove (Spanish edition)
A Novel

Author: Fredrik Backman

Narrator: Javier Gauna

Unabridged: 11 hr 19 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: HarperAudio

Published: 12/27/2022


Synopsis

En este “encantador debut” (People) y bestseller del New York Times —que próximamente será una gran producción cinematográfica protagonizada por Tom Hanks— de uno de los autores suecos más exitosos, un hombre gruñón pero adorable encuentra su solitario mundo patas arriba cuando una joven y escandalosa pareja se mudan a la casa de al lado. Conoce a Ove. Es un cascarrabias: el tipo de persona que señala a la gente que le desagrada como si fueran ladrones pillados afuera de su ventana. Tiene principios firmes, rutinas estrictas y mal genio. La gente lo llama “el amargado del infierno”. Pero ¿Ove es amargado sólo porque no anda con una sonrisa en la cara todo el tiempo? Detrás del malhumorado exterior hay una historia y algo triste. Así que cuando, una mañana de noviembre, una joven pareja parlanchina y sus dos hijas se mudan a la casa de al lado y, por accidente, chocan contra el buzón de correo de Ove, comienza una cómica y tierna historia de gatos andrajosos, una amistad inesperada y el antiguo arte de poner en reversa un camión de mudanza. Todo esto cambiará a un viejo gruñón y a una asociación de residentes locales en sus mismos fundamentos.Una historia reconfortante, con el espíritu de El insólito peregrinaje de Harold Fry y El mayor Pettigrew se enamora, la novela de Fredrik Backman sobre el viejo enojón de al lado es una detallada exploración del profundo impacto que una vida tiene sobre muchas otras. “Si existiera un premio para el ‘Libro más encantador del año’, esta primera novela de un bloguero sueco vuelto sensación de un día para otro sin duda lo ganaría (Booklist, reseña destacada). In this New York Times bestselling “charming debut” (People)—soon to be a major motion picture starring Tom Hanks—from one of Sweden’s most successful authors, a grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).

About Fredrik Backman

It is always interesting to me to hear the answers given by authors when they are asked questions such as........how did you know you wanted to be a writer or author, or how do you begin to construct a new novel? There are many who try their hand at writing, but very few actually become successful authors. Swedish author, Fredrik Backman made a huge leap in changing careers when he became an author after earning a living as a fork lift driver. The two do not appear compatible, but having a blue collar job probably added a degree of realism to the books written by Backman.

Backman is a solid story teller, but does not consider himself to be a good technical writer. He gives credit to his wife and to his publisher and editors for assisting in that department. But, it is the storyline that sells books, not technical writing skills, and Backman has had much success along those lines. His books such as, A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry, and Britt-Marie Was Here are published in many different countries, and several different languages. There seems to be a true, honest, humorous tone to each of his books.

Backman has a very easy way of structuring his novels, usually setting the beginning and the ending first, then he is free to fill in the middle with his storytelling ability. For example, Britt-Marie Was Here became a separate novel after she was a seven year old character in My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. As he completed that book, he said that it seemed only natural to him that Britt-Marie have her own book. The book follows her as she goes on a quest, gets challenged, meets new friends, overcomes adversity, stands up to injustice, all to eventually learn important facts about herself. He says that writing about this character is like writing about hero types, minus the swords, lasers, and fire-breathing dragons. It is a very interesting way of explaining his concept.

In his newest book, the emphasis will be on ice hockey, for as he says.....I am Swedish, and that's what we do. It will be about a town....not one specific character......and ice hockey will be the center of the story. He says that is all he has as an idea about the book at this point. He sums up his future in writing in this way........ I plan to write until people tell me I can't anymore.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily May on September 30, 2016

Update: I had planned to leave this post as it is, but after seeing the continued kind responses, I thought it best to inform you that my grandad passed away just before Christmas. Thank you to everyone who commented about this review and about him, but it seemed wrong to not let you know. It's alwa......more

Goodreads review by Miranda on December 09, 2020

Shout out to this absolutely fabulous book in my latest booktube video - all about the best books I read each month and 2019's bookish stats (and yes, I really did read 365 books in 365 days!). Now that you know this one made the cut - check out the video to see what other ones made my top 1......more

Goodreads review by Lisa of Troy on August 16, 2024

The One Who Does Not Read Books sat down and listened to the audiobook and started chuckling. The One Who Does Not Read Books also has a Saab. Ove is a grumpy old man who finds himself alone. However, things begin to change quickly when his new next door neighbors run over his mailbox as they move in......more

Goodreads review by emma on February 03, 2024

FINE. I’M CHARMED. Everyone said it. Everyone in the whole world agreed: this book is lovable as hell. Everyone stated, in unison, “It is impossible not to fall in love with A Man Called Ove.” I, the queen of unpopular opinions (yes people definitely call me that, and not just me, in an attempt to get......more

Goodreads review by David on May 11, 2014

Received as an ARC from the publisher. Started 5-8-14. Finished 5-11-14. First let me explain what happened to me while reading this book aloud to my wife as she was preparing dinner. I'm 70; she's almost 70. I'd read the first page, laughed out loud and decided she'd like to hear it read. I read, w......more