Summary

“A Man Called Ove Buys A Computer That Is Not A Computer” Present tense narration. 59-year-old Ove tries to buy a computer, but struggles to communicate with the young, male, very skinny sales assistant. The frustrated assistant calls over another, younger colleague to try to help Ove out, and then says he’s going for lunch. Ove becomes fed up and leaves.

“(Three Weeks Earlier) A Man Called Ove Makes His Neighborhood Inspection” Past tense narration. Ove conducts his standard inspection of the neighborhood, making sure that everything is as it should be and confronting a mangy, indifferent cat along the way. He has a regular, specific routine and attitude: Ove, narration comments, “is the sort of man who checks the status of all things by giving them a good kick.”

Narration shifts to present tense as, back at home, Ove has his...