You know what I love about trying new recipes? Learning that many recipes from around the world are really the same thing with just a little variation. Sometimes, it may be an ingredient or it may simply be a method.
The Swedish omelette is apparently an omelette that includes whatever vegetables, meats, and herbs you have around the house. I did find, however, that the process may vary. In this specific recipe, the omelette was not flipped but cooked in the oven (in a cast iron skillet). It is very similar to a frittata. One recipe mentioned cooking it in the oven THEN flipping when you get it out. My 14-year old made this recipe.
But enough of that… Now for what I have been waiting to discuss – the book! Here is the synopsis…
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 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).
Oh. My. Word! I LOVE this book! My book club read this book years ago. I do not remember why I didn’t read it then but am thankful I didn’t since it was the perfect read for this exact moment. It was not only an easy read but it was HILARIOUS! I was at my daughter’s track meet reading the book (in between her events). At one point, I literally closed the book and died out laughing. My husband just looked at me like I had lost my mind. Ove is one funny character!
Now, there have been two times in recent years where I read something that reminded me of myself and not in a good way. The first time was about eight years ago when I had students do a character analysis on Valjean and Javert (from Les Miserables). As I was creating this activity, I realized I was Javert – very law-oriented and a rule follower; there was no gray area. I wanted to be Valjean who shows grace when needed. The second time I realized “what could be a good but also a bad” character trait was through this book. As soon as I started reading this book, I realized I was Ove (and not in a good way). Being a rule-follower is not bad in itself; however, being a rule-follower to the point that either no grace can be shown OR you are angry all the time when others choose not to follow the rules – that is where the problem exists. The biggest difference, however, between me and Ove is this: he would let you know about how he felt whereas I just keep my words inside my head!
But enough of that… my husband’s dad, who passed away this past October, was nicknamed “Big D.” Everyone who knew him had a “Big D” story, which usually ended in a laugh or with you shaking your head and saying “that’s so Big D.” You can hear the same Big D story and laugh as if it is the first time you have heard it. We always joked that this world couldn’t handle two Big Ds. Well, Fredrik Backman, the Swedish author of this book, created a Swedish version of “Big D.” I honestly think Big D and Ove would have been the best of friends. Maybe I laughed and laughed throughout this book simply because I was amazed at how much these two individuals were alike. Just as Ove’s personality could have been seen as abrasive, he was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Big D was the same. He would drive you stinking insane but never failed to help us with our daughters when we needed help – take to the doctor, take to speech therapy, check out from school. He would always spoil them with a trip to Wendy’s to get a frosty or have “red hots” (hot dogs) and cookies waiting for them at his house.
This pandemic has left many of us (ok, so all of us) weary and tired. We are frustrated. We are exhausted. This book was the perfect read for such a time as this. It is entertaining and so funny! I can’t wait to watch the movie…
One of my favorite parts…
“Now you listen to me,” says Ove calmly while he carefully closes the door. “You’ve given birth to two children and quite soon will be squeezing out a third. You’ve come here from a land far away and most likely you fled war and persecution and all sorts of other nonsense. You’ve learned a new language and got yourself an education and you’re holding together a family of obvious incompetents. And I’ll be damned if I’ve seen you afraid of a single bloody thing in this world before now….I’m not asking for brain surgery. I’m asking you to drive a car. It’s got an accelerator, a brake and a clutch. Some of the greatest twits in world history have sorted out how it works. And you will as well.” And then he utters seven words, which Parvaneh will always remember as the loveliest compliment he’ll ever give her. “Because you are not a complete twit.”
