In many ways Sonja and Ove were opposites. Ove didn't frequently show his love through 'romantic gestures' but was devoted to making Sonja's life as comfortable as possible. Ove won over his wife Sonja by pretending to be training to be a soldier so that he might travel on the train with her day after day? She was wooed by this commitment and adoration.

Who is most like Ove and who is most like Parvaneh? Why? Do you find it difficult to admit you are wrong or find it difficult to say sorry? The narrator says in the book it is difficult to admit being wrong. Could Ove's story realistically occur in your own home country today? Social and welfare care is presented as lacking in this story. Which other character/s in the book does Ove share similar personality traits with? What is the signficance of this?

Is the writer suggesting that he has an undiagnosed condition such as autism or aspergers? If so does this affect how you view Ove? Ove is probably mathematically gifted and quite obsessive about certain rites and habits. In turn discuss your adjective choices with the group. Think of three adjectives to best sum up Ove. Did you find this realistic? Why or why not? When Ove dies there is a huge turnout at his funeral. Ove and Rune have a friendship that has gone 'sour' and seems beyond rescuing once Rune buys a two seater BMW instead of a Volvo. How convincing do you find this as a reason for him developing a 'glass-half-empty' approach to life? Ove's grief is so overwhelming that he tries and fails to kill himself several times? Explore why he ultimately chooses life over death? What does this say about what we as humans need in life?Īs a young man Ove was tricked and cheated out of his home and job? He has been overlooked and treated badly by 'men in white shirts' his whole life. Do you think he seems like an older man? If so why?

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