A charming novel by a
Swedish blogger and columnist in the vein of Major Pettigrew’s last stand.
Both center on men who mourn the passing of traditional values, order,
and respect for rules. Both feature a
protagonist who comes to understand those from other cultures and outlooks. Ove is by far the grumpier of the two, but he’s
also had a much harder life and a great deal less education to help him comprehend
the societal changes of the present. His
beloved wife has died and he’s estranged from his one close friend. Into his life crashes a young couple with
two, soon to be three, irrepressible children.
As they attempt to back up their rented U-Haul to move in next door (and
as Ove points out, “Motor vehicles are not allowed into the area. There’s a
sign”), they take out his mailbox and are completely unable to back up the
trailer. He takes charge. As he becomes unwillingly ever-more entangled
in their affairs, and one after another of his attempts to end it all has to be
set aside to deal with them, the book comes to a satisfying, if somewhat
idealized, end. A pleasure. 337 pp.
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