Swedish Author F Backman's Int'l Bestseller "A Man Call Ove"

Fredrik Backman's (b. Sweden 1981) novel "A Man Called Ove" was relentless; kicking repeatedly the overplayed theme of an old curmudgeon with a big heart.  The story starts with some charm in the guise  of an angry old grouch Ove, who is at war with the world.  Ove is maniacal in his meticulous convictions on - everything.  He complains to his beloved Sonja and we're sympathetic, but not surprised to learn that he is in fact a lonely widower.  I was besotted by their love story told in flashback and amazed at the stalwart love that Sonja showed for Ove; much like Edith for Archie.  Next, new neighbors move in next door with 2 adorable precocious girls, & patient pregnant mother & hapless father.  Yadah Yadah - the gruff carapace cracks and Ove becomes LOVEd despite of and for his indomitable qualities and capacity for fair play.  However, the goodwill wanes and the story moves forward at a tortoise pace.  Some will be delighted by this disarming story, but I say - bah humbug.