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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I love Jonas Jonasson's writing. It takes every plot twist imaginable, and even some that aren't! I love how his books are so lighthearted but still interesting.
Not gonna lie, I didn't read the synopsis before starting this book so I wasn't sure what I was expecting.
My only issue with this book: a few sentences are structured in a way that's hard to read, having to reread lines occasionally. Looking past that, this book was filled with entertainment. Whenever a character or item went unmentioned for a couple chapters, they would pop back into the story to be resolved again. The ending was satisfying to read, every characters was unique (even the twins! Finally! A set of twins that aren't the same person copied and pasted!) I also appreciate that each part ends in a cliffhanger; I've been in a slump for a few weeks and the anticipation kept me interested.
Overall, I liked it. Definitely adding to my recommendations :)
My only issue with this book: a few sentences are structured in a way that's hard to read, having to reread lines occasionally. Looking past that, this book was filled with entertainment. Whenever a character or item went unmentioned for a couple chapters, they would pop back into the story to be resolved again. The ending was satisfying to read, every characters was unique (even the twins! Finally! A set of twins that aren't the same person copied and pasted!) I also appreciate that each part ends in a cliffhanger; I've been in a slump for a few weeks and the anticipation kept me interested.
Overall, I liked it. Definitely adding to my recommendations :)
actually liked it a bit better than the hundred year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A completely enjoyable read, as I find all of Jonas' work.
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Jonas Jonasson is one of my insta-buy authors. Anything he writes, I read. He has a distinct style which makes his books an absolute pleasure to read.
Characters
One thing - among many things - that Jonasson gets right every time is his colourful cast of characters. I love how we get a complete history of nearly every character. With minor characters, we get it in one lump sum and with the main character, in this case, Nombeko, we get it across the whole length of the book. Now, the idea of getting a complete character history in one go sound dull, to say the least, but Jonas Jonasson delivers it in such a way that is interesting, funny, and quite often useful to the current plot line.
It is because we learn so much about each character that they stand out. Each one is defined and has a recognisable personality. Not all of them are likeable, but each one is alive and brimming with character.
And as for the star of the show, Nombeko is a saint! What a delightful character. Resilient, optimistic, kind and calm, not to mention extremely intelligent. She was an absolute joy to read.
Plot
Another thing I love about Jonas Jonasson books is his crazy, convoluted, farfetched, never-in-a-million-years-would-happen plot lines. They're fast, witty and bloody clever. He expertly weaves his characters stories around historical fact and it works so damn well!
From South Africa's nuclear weapons programme, the six atomic bombs (and yes, there was a seventh bomb, though claimed to never be finished) and their collaboration with Israel. To the Swedish monarchy, prime ministers and Sweden's relations with China. And there's no doubt that all the dates are correct for everything.
The amount of research that must go into one of these books is phenomenal. I bet even the names of the medals mentioned on the king's coat were correct. This is the intricacy of the details. Fucking fantastic.
His style is comedic farce and it's absolutely on point. The way the characters blunder from one misunderstanding to another while somehow simultaneously not dying and keeping a positive attitude is both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Yes, all his books are a suspension of disbelief, but they're fun. They're bloody good fun and I'll read every single one with a smile on my face.
Setting
The story begins in South Africa before ending in Sweden. Like all Jonasson books, the setting is vibrant and detailed and peppered with real-life historical events. Quite often these historical events can be directly (or indirectly) linked to the characters.
Something to remember when reading a Jonas Jonasson novel; Everything is real, except for the parts that aren't.
I know, I know, a silly contradiction, right? But it's actually true. The obviously fictional parts are of course just that, but certain things you don't necessarily think of, like the places, the dates, the historical people and their lineage. Perhaps a lot more of his books is real than we give credit for, and for that, I crown him a clever bastard with great talent.
Writing Style
What I think I love most about any Jonasson novel is his writing style. I've never read a more gentle set of books. Even when the characters are in dire circumstances, I never feel the threat or the tension. Instead, the funny side of everything is strongly highlighted in each book. It kind of makes you think that no matter the situation, there's always something to smile about.
There's a soft sort of innocence to his writing that makes you think everything will be alright in the end. They're feel-good books, and I certainly feel good when I read them.
Harmless, gentle, lovely and delightful. That really the best way I can describe it.
Final Impression
I enjoyed this so much. Laugh out loud funny, heart-warming, exciting, everything I need from a book like this. The only reason it's getting 4 instead of 5 stars is because I class The One Hundred Year Old Man as a five-star book, and I still liked that one better than this one, but this is a definite read for anyone who likes humorous books. Well worth it.
Characters
One thing - among many things - that Jonasson gets right every time is his colourful cast of characters. I love how we get a complete history of nearly every character. With minor characters, we get it in one lump sum and with the main character, in this case, Nombeko, we get it across the whole length of the book. Now, the idea of getting a complete character history in one go sound dull, to say the least, but Jonas Jonasson delivers it in such a way that is interesting, funny, and quite often useful to the current plot line.
It is because we learn so much about each character that they stand out. Each one is defined and has a recognisable personality. Not all of them are likeable, but each one is alive and brimming with character.
And as for the star of the show, Nombeko is a saint! What a delightful character. Resilient, optimistic, kind and calm, not to mention extremely intelligent. She was an absolute joy to read.
Plot
Another thing I love about Jonas Jonasson books is his crazy, convoluted, farfetched, never-in-a-million-years-would-happen plot lines. They're fast, witty and bloody clever. He expertly weaves his characters stories around historical fact and it works so damn well!
From South Africa's nuclear weapons programme, the six atomic bombs (and yes, there was a seventh bomb, though claimed to never be finished) and their collaboration with Israel. To the Swedish monarchy, prime ministers and Sweden's relations with China. And there's no doubt that all the dates are correct for everything.
The amount of research that must go into one of these books is phenomenal. I bet even the names of the medals mentioned on the king's coat were correct. This is the intricacy of the details. Fucking fantastic.
His style is comedic farce and it's absolutely on point. The way the characters blunder from one misunderstanding to another while somehow simultaneously not dying and keeping a positive attitude is both thrilling and nerve-wracking.
Yes, all his books are a suspension of disbelief, but they're fun. They're bloody good fun and I'll read every single one with a smile on my face.
Setting
The story begins in South Africa before ending in Sweden. Like all Jonasson books, the setting is vibrant and detailed and peppered with real-life historical events. Quite often these historical events can be directly (or indirectly) linked to the characters.
Something to remember when reading a Jonas Jonasson novel; Everything is real, except for the parts that aren't.
I know, I know, a silly contradiction, right? But it's actually true. The obviously fictional parts are of course just that, but certain things you don't necessarily think of, like the places, the dates, the historical people and their lineage. Perhaps a lot more of his books is real than we give credit for, and for that, I crown him a clever bastard with great talent.
Writing Style
What I think I love most about any Jonasson novel is his writing style. I've never read a more gentle set of books. Even when the characters are in dire circumstances, I never feel the threat or the tension. Instead, the funny side of everything is strongly highlighted in each book. It kind of makes you think that no matter the situation, there's always something to smile about.
There's a soft sort of innocence to his writing that makes you think everything will be alright in the end. They're feel-good books, and I certainly feel good when I read them.
Harmless, gentle, lovely and delightful. That really the best way I can describe it.
Final Impression
I enjoyed this so much. Laugh out loud funny, heart-warming, exciting, everything I need from a book like this. The only reason it's getting 4 instead of 5 stars is because I class The One Hundred Year Old Man as a five-star book, and I still liked that one better than this one, but this is a definite read for anyone who likes humorous books. Well worth it.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes