I loved this book. Honestly, I gave it an extra star because I especially loved the audiobook. (added bonus, I stopped saying the character's name wrong. I was thinking at first it was Ove, rhyming with stove, but it’s oo-vay.) I listened to this story in small doses because I just didn't want it to end. I listened to it in the car on my way to work, running errands around town (chauffeuring my kids), and it was such a sweet, gentle story that it had a calming effect on my driving. This is true, of course, except for those moments when I was crying. Then it was difficult to see, and I had to wear dark glasses to hide the mascara mess. I probably should have read even a brief description before I began, because early on I literally burst into tears while driving; which can catch you off guard. So except for that, I loved it. The only thing missing from the audiobook was the fun of reading over again any of Backman's many amazing similes — I'm nominating him for a Simile Seminar. Sign me up, please.
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