1
by Gail Honeyman
02017
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a darkly funny yet tender tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
10 Best Books Like A Man Called Ove: A Novel
If you loved A Man Called Ove: A Novel by Fredrik Backman, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like A Man Called Ove: A Novel are:
- 1Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman0
- 2The Wedding People by Alison Espach0
- 3Abundance by Ezra Klein4.5
- 4The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride0
- 5Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult0
- 6Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid4.2
- 7Everything I Promised You by Katy Upperman4.4
- 8Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult0
- 9Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano4.1
- 10Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult3.9
When a curmudgeonly old man named Ove—known to his neighbors as "the bitter neighbor from hell"—has his carefully ordered life disrupted by a chatty young family who accidentally flatten his mailbox, an unlikely friendship begins to bloom. Through a series of comical and touching encounters involving backing up U-Hauls, stray cats, and neighborhood drama, the gruff exterior starts to crack, revealing the heartbreaking story behind Ove's cranky demeanor. This charming tale explores how unexpected connections can transform even the most stubborn hearts and remind us that everyone has a story worth knowing.
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Alison Espach
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a darkly comedic yet tender tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
3
by Ezra Klein
4.52025304 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a analytical but hopeful tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
4
by James McBride
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a bittersweet and contemplative tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
6
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.22022384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a fierce and triumphant tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
7
by Katy Upperman
4.42025384 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but hopeful tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
8
by Jodi Picoult
0
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a melancholic yet hopeful tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
9
by Ann Napolitano
4.12023594 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a devastating but hopeful tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
10
by Jodi Picoult
3.92021310 pages
Why you'll love it:
This literary fiction shares a contemplative and raw tone that will resonate with A Man Called Ove: A Novel fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like A Man Called Ove: A Novel
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine | Gail Honeyman | 0 | 2017 | — | Closest match |
| The Wedding People | Alison Espach | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Abundance | Ezra Klein | 4.5 | 2025 | 304 | Similar vibes |
| The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store | James McBride | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Small Great Things | Jodi Picoult | 0 | 2016 | — | Similar vibes |
| Carrie Soto Is Back | Taylor Jenkins Reid | 4.2 | 2022 | 384 | Similar vibes |
| Everything I Promised You | Katy Upperman | 4.4 | 2025 | 384 | Similar vibes |
| Leaving Time | Jodi Picoult | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Hello Beautiful | Ann Napolitano | 4.1 | 2023 | 594 | Similar vibes |
| Wish You Were Here | Jodi Picoult | 3.9 | 2021 | 310 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Fredrik Backman
If you enjoy Fredrik Backman's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to A Man Called Ove: A Novel?
The most similar books to A Man Called Ove: A Novel are Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, The Wedding People, Abundance.
What should I read after A Man Called Ove: A Novel?
After finishing A Man Called Ove: A Novel, readers most commonly pick up Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine next. Alternatively, you might enjoy more books by Fredrik Backman, such as My Friends.
Who writes books like Fredrik Backman?
Authors similar to Fredrik Backman include Madeline Miller, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Brit Bennett, Patti Callahan Henry, Colson Whitehead.
What genre is A Man Called Ove: A Novel?
A Man Called Ove: A Novel is a Literary Fiction novel by Fredrik Backman, published in 2014.
How long is A Man Called Ove: A Novel?
A Man Called Ove: A Novel is 352 pages long.
More by Fredrik Backman
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About A Man Called Ove: A Novel
Now a major motion picture A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks!#1 New York Times bestseller-more than 3 million copies sold!Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon-the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.Fredrik Backman’s beloved first novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).