Oh, how I loved Ove, and how I hated for this book to end! I had noticed this book in stores, and had peripherally been aware of others reading it. I needed to use some of my Audible credits, and wanted to read a "grown-up" book for a change (instead of the children's literature I'm usually reading). First off, I must say that A Man Called Ove is an amazing audiobook. I laughed out loud so many times as I was listening to it, and wondered if I'd appreciate it so much if I were reading it from the actual text (probably so). Ove (pronounced ooh-va by the narrator of the audio edition), is a 59-year old Swedish man who has recently decided there isn't much more reason for him to live: His wife passed away several months before, and he has just learned that his job has been terminated to allow him an "early retirement". Ove is not a very outgoing sort, and he is definitely set in his ways. He believes that traditions and principles and loyalty are the things worth treasuring in life. He doesn't have "friends", and now is "no longer useful" since he doesn't have a job to go to. Ove decides he may as well die so that he can join his wife in heaven-- and he makes elaborate plans to get the job done, yet no matter how he plans and tries, as he says, "Who would have thought it would be so bloody hard to kill oneself!?" Meanwhile, people-- and a cat-- come into his life, irritating him, but eventually making him aware that maybe his usefulness isn't completely gone yet.... I can't recommend this book highly enough. There is no cliff-hanging action and suspense, there are no far-out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. What this book has is phenomenal character development, humor, a heart-warming tale, and something to make you consider your own mortality and purpose in life. LOVED it!