This book has won multiple awards and has a massive following. Why? What makes this book about a curmudgeon so popular? Why do people love it? by Hannah Moon

omniunderwood — 2025-10-14 12:59:29 UTC

I believe that people can relate to Ove; they realize that every curmudgeon has a backstory, and in this book, we are being told Ove's story, what made him the way that he is, and how the people around him helped him to see that life after loss isn't hopeless

jacksonharris11 — 2025-10-14 13:02:42 UTC

I believe this book has one so many awards because it pulls on your emotions. As you read, you begin to feel the same emotions that the characters feel which really makes it a personable and likeable book. Although this book is about a grumpy and rude old man, it gains so much attention because we see change in Ove. We also see that the supporting characters look past his rough exterior to find his true nature which is helpful and kind - in his own way. Despite all that he had been through, we see him as a better and loveable person towards the end book with a family he made which is also the reason why so many people love the book.

jessicanemargut — 2025-10-14 13:02:55 UTC

I think this book so popular because it shows a story about how a person became who they are and why they are that way. It also shows how they can open up more with the help of others and even connect with them. It shows how he grew from wanting to die, to him wanting to live.

oliviacadoganrichan — 2025-10-14 13:03:04 UTC

I think people can often see themselves or a family member in any of the many characters within the book. The book is filled with personal feelings we can all relate to, especially loss of a loved one. When people read this book they can see that they need to look deeper in order to really understand the events and instances that make a person how they are. Ove is a funny and relatable character which is why people love his attitude coupled with Parvaneh shooting him done to make him be nice at times.

loraleibecker — 2025-10-14 13:03:32 UTC

I believe people love this book because of its effect on people's point of views. I think many people have been in Ove's shoes or felt the way he has felt and finds a sense of hope after reading a book like this.

keysenwhite2 — 2025-10-14 13:03:38 UTC

I think people like this story because it digs deep in a persons life and all the struggles they go through and it may connect people with the same struggles who struggle with suicidal thoughts, depression, etc,. And how they can find people to help them overcome the mental battles they fight with love and companionship

kennethsmith9 — 2025-10-14 13:04:05 UTC

I personally think this book is so well liked across the world because of the way the story develops. Ove's character changing for the better by the end of each chapter is what most likely keeps people hooked. The supporting characters cherishing Ove and showing kindness to him even though he's a grouch is really inspiring. This book also shows that solitary and independent people, especially the elderly who don't like communicating with others can have their eyes opened and be given purpose they believe they've lost.

emilybunn3 — 2025-10-14 13:04:57 UTC

I think this book has so many awards because of the story and emotions. At first, we really just saw Ove as a grumpy old man, but then, once we saw all his trauma and loss, we saw why he is the way he is. I also think it shows how others can be kind even towards people like Ove. We also see a change in him throughout the book, which makes the story so much better.

lilathompson — 2025-10-14 13:05:17 UTC

I think this book is so popular because its so real. Its about an old man who feels alone and I'm sure there are millions of people out there who feel like that and I'm sure its helped a lot of people. Its also incredibly emotional, funny and has a great love story. I think this book can give people hope who are in similar situation to any of the characters.

calebmaddox — 2025-10-14 13:06:13 UTC

I think its a popular, because it shows the characters point of views on events and their background of the story, and there is at least one character people can relate to, in one way or another, and feel pulled in when they can relate to a book.

emilytripp — 2025-10-14 13:07:43 UTC

The book went into the life of a grumpy old guy. This made people view other grumpy people in a new way. They might be grumpy but they also have been through so much in their life. The book just makes you feel more empathetic towards others.

jacobsoles — 2025-10-14 13:07:53 UTC

I think this book is successful for multiply reasons but my favorite being the stories open message. There are lots of different lessons portrayed throughout the book that can still be open to personally judgement. Everyone had someone they can relate to and something they can learn from placed here in this story making this book so personal. The opportunity to relate to a book makes a reader feel special connecting the relationship of the book's success and its' massive following.

kingstonneal1 — 2025-10-14 13:08:09 UTC

I believe people fell in love with the progression of Ove and how he throughout the story he goes from a bitter grumpy old man to more of a kind, patient, and overall better person. It also highlights that people have their own lives, and people don't typically act that way without a catalyst causing them and a lot of people tend to have stuff that happens in the back that no one else really knows about making it a more deep and emotional story connecting to others hearts and trauma.

ashleyperezmiguel1 — 2025-10-14 13:08:10 UTC

I feel like the reason people love this book so much is for not only it's writing style but the way it describes Ove's story. It shows us the heartbreak and challenge you face when losing a loved one. It also gives us an open mind on those who share the same qualities as Ove and why they are the way they are. This book holds so much emotion to it and takes you on a roller coaster of Ove's life showing us that even when we think there's no hope in life, there's always something or someone that shows us there is.

sydneytulip — 2025-10-14 13:08:21 UTC

I believe people like this book because people relate to Ove but also just find it interesting to see ones character development and how hard times can effect someone over time. I also believe it's how the chapters are because they aren't in order and it's just different events and days in his life.

maharilettsome — 2025-10-14 13:09:24 UTC

People like the book because it's funny and sad. Even thought Ove seems evil and grumpy and mean spirited. You can see how much he's been through and see how little acts of kindness can have big affects!

noahshelton3 — 2025-10-14 13:10:53 UTC

I think this book did so well because of Ove's character development. I think it's so popular because of the mix of emotions it can make you feel and it's ability to be related to so easily. Plus the fact that it shows a person can be a grouch they just need the right people around them to be able to open up.

esperanzabarriosagu — 2025-10-14 13:11:09 UTC

Many people love this book not just for the story but for more, they could relate and know the grief and loss that Ove has faced. The hardship they faced and not continue on with it but find a way out their grief but find a source of love and comfort with someone they know that is there and wont let them suffer alone. But of course everyone has their own way to see this book and the story/ meaning behind it.

stellavillari — 2025-10-14 13:14:32 UTC

I think it makes people more empathetic toward others. At first, we believe that Ove is a grumpy "old" man, but as we get to know him, we understand why he is so grumpy and miserable. He has lost so much, and this has made him unhappy. This caused him to act out and be rude to others. As he regains his spark and has a family to look forward to, we notice a change in heart, and he starts to love living again and doesn't kill himself. This shows how many acts of kindness can change a person's life!

williamhouse1 — 2025-10-14 13:16:59 UTC

I believe people love the book so much because it dives deep into the life a man who's been hurt by the world. He's fighting internal battles and the audience is so close they can practically feel them for him. It really hits close to home for most people having an older person in their life and shows how loving someone means more to them than you'll ever understand.

benjaminrodriguez32 — 2025-10-14 13:17:40 UTC

This book has won many awards mainly because I think readers loved seeing Ove's transformation. You can see the main character change as you read from a grumpy old man to a caring old man. The book also dives into real life scenarios where old men who lose loved ones battle depression and I think the way Backman wrote the book and Ove related to many people.

divinaramirezhernan — 2025-10-14 13:17:52 UTC

I think it's the nuance of Ove's character that really attracts people. The fact that you start off thinking he's a grumpy, two-dimensional person, and you slowly begin to uncover every layer of the story and who he really is. I think the fact that the story is so raw and real makes it easier for people to relate in some way.

reidkaiser — 2025-10-14 13:18:07 UTC

I think what makes this book so popular is that a lot of people can relate to what Ove is feeling, or know someone who is like Ove, an older friend/family member who lost a loved one. This book helps people understand what it's like to lose the love of their life and the journey to living again.

sullivanlastinger — 2025-10-14 13:18:10 UTC

The book describes a very real feeling life that has gone through things that almost every single person will experience at some point in their life. It shows a very reasonable change in a person without it feeling like some story but as if it had actually happened to the person that is telling us.

nicholastocci1 — 2025-10-14 13:19:14 UTC

I think that people love this book so much because they can relate to it a lot. Everybody has known a curmudgeon in their life and reading this book can change their perspective on them and make them question if they are treating them wrongly.

elyezroland — 2025-10-14 13:24:54 UTC

I think people love a good curmudgeon story because behind every curmudgeon is a long story about all of the grief,pain and suffering they went through. A man called Ove is a emotional roller coaster and i think people like book like that

dillynday — 2025-10-14 13:26:04 UTC

I think that it is a very common thing to automatically assume that elders are grumpy. When this happens no one thinks deep about the real reason as to why and this book does a great job at explaining. This book is popular because it is also relatable, everyone can relate to it in some way.

aydenwhite4 — 2025-10-14 13:27:29 UTC

I believe this book has won a few awards is due to the fact that it shows the story of a person who at first seems like a simple man, but it keeps you reading to make you learn more about his past, and how that shapes Ove's future. It also shows the stories of other people and how they were all connected