2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This is the discussion thread for A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman Chapter 20-29

At this point in the book the story has fallen into the following pattern:
1) Ove tries to kill himself
2) Someone inadvertently stops him
3) We learn something poignant about Ove's past
4) Repeat

Randy wrote: "At this point in the book the story has fallen into the following pattern:
1) Ove tries to kill himself
2) Someone inadvertently stops him
3) We learn something poignant about Ove's past
4) Repeat"

True. I think that pattern is reassuring in a way. I can focus more on the humor and positive parts while I am reading because I have faith in the pattern.

Kristina wrote: "Randy wrote: "At this point in the book the story has fallen into the following pattern:
1) Ove tries to kill himself
2) Someone inadvertently stops him
3) We learn something poignant about Ove's p..."

Yes, I like the pattern too.

omg. This book keeps getting better and better! The scene in which (view spoiler)[Ove teaches Parvaneh how to drive (hide spoiler)]is one of my favourites! And the scene following that (view spoiler)[at the cafe—just the whole thing!— (hide spoiler)]is also one of my favourites. I also loved the story of how(view spoiler)[ Rune and Ove had their falling out over the years (hide spoiler)].

What's interesting to me is how(view spoiler)[ the universe is making Sonja's presence felt in a myriad of ways: Parvaneh's kindness to the panhandler and her loving tolerance of Ove; the Cat Annoyance as his Jiminy Cricket, to keep him in line; Parvaneh's three-year-old, to keep alive some small bit of his innocence and sense of wonder… (hide spoiler)]

The pattern mimics Ove's love of ritual.