This was our June Book Club pick. This is an unexpected and delightful novel. I saw all of the press and buzz about A Man Called Ove and was never really tempted to read it. But this delightfully quirky and human story has made me curious about Backman’s other works.
This is a novel about a bank robbery. And an apartment. And a hostage situation. And the conflict between City and country Swedeners. And love. And marriage. And winning. And losing. And dying . And living. And aging. And youth. And money. And….
The day before New Year’s Eve, 9 people find themselves in an unlikely hostage situation in an apartment. Nine idiots (because, aren’t we all?). And over the course of the afternoon they spend together, they all emerge a little different and with exactly what they need.
I can imagine this story as a kind of madcap and heartwarming comedy with a bunch of prestigious actors in the roles. And while it would be unclear why they are all here, in the end, we would all feel a little better connected.
I love the story and the voice and the (un)likeable cast of characters. It ends up feeling a little “kumbaya” for my liking, but after the year we’ve had, maybe I could use more of that.
