grumpy old man, Ove - "the most inflexible man in the world" 
 part Victor Meldrew, part stock character from Lake Wobegon 
 an anti-social busy-body 
 likes routine and status quo 
 warmed to him a bit on learning of (view spoiler)[wife Sonja's death, his tough childhood and his courtship of Sonja (hide spoiler)] 
 is contemplating suicide but eventually roused from depression as he is dragged into affairs of new neighbours and a fight with white-shirted bureaucrats. 
 no big surprises, nicely written and some wry chuckles along the way