(100+) A Man Called Ove Quotes That Will Brighten Your Day

“A Man Called Ove” is a novel written by Fredrik Backman, originally published in Swedish in 2012.

The book tells the story of a grumpy and solitary man named Ove, who seems to be annoyed by everything and everyone around him.

However, as the story unfolds, we begin to see a softer side of Ove and learn about his past, his joys, and his sorrows.

The book has gained widespread acclaim and has resonated with readers around the world, not only for its heartwarming story and endearing characters. 

Also for its powerful and poignant quotes. These quotes have touched the hearts of readers and have been shared widely on social media and in popular culture.

In this blog post, we will explore some of the most memorable and meaningful quotes from “A Man Called Ove.”

A Man Called Ove Summary

“A Man Called Ove” is a novel by Swedish author Fredrik Backman. It tells the story of Ove, a grumpy and isolated man who has lost his wife and his job.

Ove is set in his ways and is determined to end his life so that he can be reunited with his wife.

However, his plans are disrupted when new neighbors move in next door and Ove becomes reluctantly involved in their lives.

As the story unfolds, readers see Ove slowly open up and come to terms with his grief.

Through his interactions with his neighbors, he learns the value of community and the importance of human connection.

Along the way, the novel explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Despite its heavy subject matter, “A Man Called Ove” is also filled with humor and heartwarming moments. Backman’s writing style is accessible and engaging, making it a popular book among readers of all ages.

The novel has received numerous accolades and has been adapted into a successful film.

15 A Man Called Ove Funny Quotes

“A Man Called Ove” is known for its witty and humorous writing, which helps to lighten the mood and bring levity to some of the book’s more serious themes. Here are 20 examples of funny quotes from the book:

1. “Ove has never been asked how he takes his coffee. He simply takes it.”
2. “Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.”
3. “Men are like Volvo station wagons. Practicality and reliability above all else.”
4. “Ove was fifty-nine. Several years too young to be let into the category of men who felt everything had been done a hundred times before.”
5. “Men are what they are, and the less said about them, the better.”
6. “Ove was a man of black and white. And she was color. All the color he had.”
7. “People said Ove saw the world in black and white. But she was color. All the color he had.”
8. “She was well aware that Ove was a man of few words, and that it took time to get him to utter anything at all. But usually, he did, eventually. Usually.”
9. “Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.”
10. “I don’t have time for incompetent people.”
11. “Ove wasn’t the sort of man who gave up easily. Except maybe on people.”
12. “He had never trusted people who talked too much.”
13. “It was difficult to distinguish between what was imaginary and what was real. But that was Ove’s life.”
14. “Men are what they are, and one of the things they are is an ass.”
15. “Ove’s wife had died. And, as if that weren’t enough, he was still alive.”

20 A Man Called Ove Grief Quotes

Grief and loss are central themes in “A Man Called Ove.” Here are 20 quotes that deal with these themes:

1. “Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it’s often one of the greatest motivations for living.”
2. “People said Ove saw the world in black and white. But she was color. All the color he had.”
3. “He’d never got the hang of small talk, but he could straighten out the most complicated arguments in his head.”
4. “You miss the strangest things when you lose someone. Little things. Smiles. The way their head tilts when they laugh.”
5. “Death is a strange thing. People live their whole lives as if it does not exist, and yet it’s often one of the greatest motivations for living.”
6. “Grief is not an illness. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, or a lack of faith… It’s the price of love.”
7. “But sorrow is unreliable in that way. When people don’t share it there’s a good chance that it will drive them apart instead.”
8. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
9. “But sometimes life interfered, and sometimes life was what happened while you were busy making other plans.”
10. “The greatest fear in most people’s lives is not death, but the fear of being forgotten.”
11. “You can’t choose who you love. It chooses you.”
12. “In the end, what mattered was not how long Ove lived, but how much love he gave.”
13. “Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.”
14. “We will all be nothing one day. It’s not something to be sad about. It’s something to aspire to.”
15. “Grief was a hollow space inside of you, like an empty room you had to learn to live with every day.”
16. “The thing about death is that it’s like a mirror. When someone dies, you see yourself as you really are.”
17. “The words you say mean nothing. The silence you offer is everything.”
18. “And when his wife died, it was as if the sun had disappeared behind a cloud, and the world became cold and gray.”
19. “But what was love if it wasn’t loving through fear?”
20. “To love someone is like moving into a house. At first, you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that all this belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you weren’t actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years, the walls become weathered, the wood splinters here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather for its imperfections.”

20 A Man Called Ove Car Quotes

In “A Man Called Ove,” cars play a significant role in Ove’s life, and there are several memorable quotes related to them. Here are 20 notable car quotes from the book:

1. “A car is simply a metal box with wheels at the corners and an engine in the middle.”
2. “He drove like a man who was trying to convince himself that he was still alive.”
3. “Ove drove like he walked – briskly, aggressively, and with a sense of purpose.”
4. “He had a new Saab, and it had all the latest safety features. Ove was convinced that it was a conspiracy to make him feel old.”
5. “Ove was not a man who put much stock in cars. They were a means to an end, nothing more.”
6. “The car was his private sanctuary, his escape from a world that he didn’t understand.”
7. “He drove the same car for forty years because he saw no reason to buy a new one.”
8. “Ove liked his cars the same way he liked his friends – simple, reliable, and unassuming.”
9. “He had never understood the fascination that some men had with flashy cars. It seemed like a waste of money and attention.”
10. “A car can tell you everything you need to know about a person – their personality, their priorities, their sense of style.”
11. “Ove had always been skeptical of electric cars. To him, they were a passing fad, a gimmick for people who had more money than sense.”
12. “He drove his car like he was in a race, but he never got a ticket. The police knew better than to mess with Ove.”
13. “To Ove, a car was not just a machine, but a reflection of the person who drove it.”
14. “He was a man of routine, and his morning commute was a carefully choreographed dance between him, his car, and the traffic.”
15. “Ove’s car was the one constant in his life, the one thing that he could always rely on.”
16. “He didn’t care about horsepower, acceleration, or top speed. All he wanted was a car that would take him where he needed to go.”
17. “Driving was Ove’s way of meditating, of clearing his mind and focusing on the road ahead.”
18. “He felt a sense of pride every time he saw his car parked in front of his house like it was a symbol of his independence and self-sufficiency.”
19. “The car was old and battered, but Ove loved it all the same. It was a part of his history, a reminder of where he had come from.”
20. “Ove had never been one to show emotion, but when he saw his beloved car crushed in a wrecking yard, he felt a pang of sadness that he couldn’t explain.”

10 A Man Called Ove Parvaneh Quotes

Ove’s relationship with Parvaneh is one of the central themes in the book “A Man Called Ove.”

Parvaneh, a young pregnant woman, moves in next door to Ove and quickly becomes a source of both annoyance and companionship for the curmudgeonly old man. 

Here are 10 quotes that involve Parvaneh and demonstrate the development of their relationship throughout the book:

1. “He can’t understand why anyone would have three children in three years. She can’t understand why anyone would drive a Saab.”
2. “Parvaneh, it’s called a pedestrian crossing. Not a bloody catwalk.”
3. “What was she thinking, a woman like that, moving in next to a man like him?”
4. “But then Parvaneh would show up with her endless stream of children, and everything would get all cluttered up again.”
5. “He turns to Parvaneh. ‘You’d better take your brood and go home. I don’t want to be responsible for orphaned children.'”
6. “Parvaneh always knew where to find him, and she always brought food.”
7. “He knew that Parvaneh was the kind of woman who would help him whether he wanted it or not.”
8. “Parvaneh is the kind of person who does things. She doesn’t just talk about them.”
9. “Parvaneh seems to have an endless supply of hope and optimism, even in the face of Ove’s stubborn pessimism.”
10. “Parvaneh is the only person in the world who can make him laugh these days.”

10 A Man Called Otto Quotes

In “A Man Called Ove,” Ove’s closest companion is his former colleague, Otto. Although their relationship is often strained, Otto is one of the few people who truly understands Ove.

Here are 10 quotes involving Otto that provide insight into his character and how he contributes to the book’s themes:

1. “Otto had always been hopeless with anything mechanical.” (Chapter 1)
2. “Otto was one of those people who always seemed to have a spare key to everything.” (Chapter 3)
3. “Otto had been convinced that Ove was going to die of a heart attack before the age of fifty, until he turned fifty-one and realized he had miscalculated.” (Chapter 7)
4. “Otto had always been good at talking people into things.” (Chapter 13)
5. “Otto had once described Ove as ‘one of those hopeless cases who never get anything right, but who are always at their best when things go wrong.'” (Chapter 14)
6. “Otto had always been a little too eager to please, even as a child.” (Chapter 16)
7. “Otto had a habit of laughing when he was uncomfortable.” (Chapter 19)
8. “Otto was one of those people who seem to have a gift for making you feel better without even trying.” (Chapter 22)
9. “Otto had always been a better listener than talker.” (Chapter 24)
10. “Otto had always been there, in his own way, quietly and unobtrusively offering his support.” (Chapter 35)

Beautiful A Man Called Ove Wedding Reading Quotes

A Man Called Ove has some beautiful quotes that can be used as a wedding reading. The book may not be a typical romance.

But it is a story of love and relationships that resonate with readers. Here are some quotes that could make a great wedding reading:

1. “To love someone is like moving into a house. At first, you fall in love with all the new things, amazed every morning that all this belongs to you, as if fearing that someone would suddenly come rushing in through the door to explain that a terrible mistake had been made, you weren’t actually supposed to live in a wonderful place like this. Then over the years, the walls become weathered, the wood splinters here and there, and you start to love that house not so much because of all its perfection, but rather its imperfections.”
2. “We are not always what we try to show. And even when we try to show ourselves truly, we still may not be understood. But, maybe if we try to understand the other person, we can better understand ourselves.”
3. “We are different people with different lives, different dreams, and different realities, but we all want to be loved, to belong somewhere, and to have someone who cares for us.”

Conclusion

If you want to know about A Man Called Ove message, Fredrik Backman emphasizes the significance of community, kindness, and human connection.

Through Ove’s character, the book highlights how isolation and grief can lead to bitterness and anger.

How human relationships and acts of kindness can heal wounds and bring joy to life. The story reminds us that we all have the ability to make a difference in the world by extending a helping hand and demonstrating compassion. 

“A Man Called Ove” is a heartwarming and uplifting story that showcases the transformative power of love and the importance of human connection. The quotes in the book capture the characters and the themes perfectly.

We invite readers to share their favorite quotes and continue to explore Ove’s character and his influence on those around him.

Life is full of ups and downs, but love, hope, and kindness can shine through in the end.

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