I’ve read the book and watched the movie. Harv and I watched the movie for the second time the other night. The book is called - A Man Called Ove and the movie changed the name to A Man called Otto!

In A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, we are introduced to Ove, a grumpy, solitary man who has recently lost his wife, Sonja. Ove is a stickler for rules and order, and he is deeply affected by Sonja's death. He is a man of routine, and he is determined to join her in the afterlife.

Parvaneh, Ove's new neighbour, is a pregnant woman with two young daughters and a husband who is portrayed as incompetent. (we find out later he has a university degree). She is a force of nature, and she refuses to be intimidated by Ove's gruff exterior. Parvaneh and her family slowly begin to break through Ove's tough exterior, and they become the family that Ove never knew he needed.

As the story progresses, we learn about Ove's past. We discover that Ove has always been a man of principles, and he has a deep sense of justice. He has a strong moral compass, and he is willing to stand up for what he believes in, even if it means going against the grain. Ove's past is filled with love, loss, and a strong sense of duty, and these experiences have shaped him into the man he is today.

Despite his gruff exterior, Ove is a man with a big heart. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and family, and he is willing to go to great lengths to help those in need. Ove's relationship with his late wife, Sonja, is a central theme in the story. We see how their love for each other has shaped Ove's life, and how her death has left a void that he is struggling to fill.

As Ove's relationship with his new neighbors deepens, we see a softer side of him emerge. He begins to form unlikely friendships with the people in his community, and he becomes an integral part of their lives. Ove's grumpiness begins to soften, and he starts to embrace life once again.

Throughout the story, Ove is constantly reminded of the importance of human connection. He learns that life is worth living, even in the face of loss and adversity. Ove's journey is a testament to the power of friendship and community, and the impact that these relationships can have on our lives.

In the end, A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming tale of love, loss, and the power of human connection. Ove's journey from a grumpy, isolated man to a beloved member of his community is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

As Ove's story comes to a close, we see a man who has found a new purpose in life. He has learned to embrace the present, cherish the memories of the past, and look forward to the future. Ove's journey is a reminder that it's never too late to start over, and that even the most unlikely of friendships can change our lives in profound ways.

At the end of the movie, Parvaneh (in the movie her name is Marisol) looks across the street and notices that Otto hasn’t shovelled his sidewalk, which is usual custom. By now, she has a key to Otto’s house and she and her husband run across the street, unlock the door, rush up the stair and find Otto slumped across his bed. He’s gone! His heart has finally given out. They also find a letter written to them. Otto has written down his wishes and has taken care of them and those in his neighbourhood.

Profound truths from the movie - - - - - don’t give up on the unlovely - - - - - look out for your neighbours - - - - - if you are the grumpy one, open up your heart - - - - - even a stray cat needs to be loved - - - - - sometimes things are not what they seem - - - - - take the time to find out a person’s story - - - - - listen - - - - - don’t allow differences to fracture a relationship - - - - - when your heart is miserable, it spreads to all relationships - - - - - God uses people to enter another’s pain to bring healing, hope and a future - - - - - when difficulties arise in life, don’t shut other’s out - - - - - don’t allow others to steal your joy - - - - - death and life are in the power of the tongue - - - - - hold fast to what is good - - - - - bless those who persecute you - - - - - live in harmony with each other - - - - - don’t repay evil for evil - - - - - cookies always work - - - - - smile - - - - -

It was Laura Jean Truman who penned these words!

“Keep my anger from becoming meanness. Keep my sorrow from collapsing into self-pity. Keep my heart soft enough to keep breaking. Keep my anger turned towards justice, not cruelty. Remind me that all of this every bit of it - is for love. Keep me fiercely kind.”