Living in the Aftermath of Death

This is the book’s central theme, and is woven tightly into the movement of its plot as defined by the actions of its central character and protagonist, fifty-nine year old Ove.

For much of the narrative, Ove feels that he is unable to continue living following the death of his beloved wife Sonja, and throughout the book makes repeated efforts to kill himself so he can join her in whatever life comes after this one. Here it’s interesting to note that Ove’s actions in response to his desire to die are entirely different to his actions in the aftermath of an earlier, similarly significant death: that of his father .

Over the course of the novel, even while Ove continues his efforts to end his life, he has experiences that indicate to the reader, if not to Ove, that...