Reviews

It must be a hard task to follow up an international bestselling debut. Do you go for something similar or try something different? i'd say Jonasson has actually managed both in his second novel.

We have another funny Sweden-based tale about unlikely heroes and outlandish coincidences taking place over several decades. But we also have a Soweto-slum-born heroine, twins with no identity and bombs sent in the mail.

With several timelines from individuals in Soweto and Sweden (among others) coming together gradually, it takes a little concentration to remember who is who. Nombeko is hard to forget - born in a slum to an addict mother, her gift for numbers sees her rise to positions of influence in her early teens, but it is only when she leaves her home to seek a better life that an unexpected accident sees her take a path she could never have anticipated (but probably have been able to work out the statistical likelihood of). Half a world away in Sweden, a royalist becomes a maniacal would-be revolutionary, and brings up his twin sons (both given the same name) to follow his calling. How their plots come together is the story.

It's a lot of fun, though sometimes you lose track a little of the minor storylines and characters. I liked Nombeko, whose talents make her seem forever capable and resourceful, in every situation. I enjoyed the zaniness of it all - encompassing potato farms, incompetent police strikes, Chinese translators, communists, smuggled Chinese girls and the Swedish Prime Minister.

While I didn't find it quite as charming as Jonasson's debut, it's very entertaining, with outrageous coincidences and plots that are so insane you can't help but enjoy the silliness. Nice to see Scandinavian comedy.

ruth24's review against another edition

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4.0

Jonas Jonasson has a quirky sense of humour that I really enjoy. His books always keep me guessing with their impossible turns of events and random encounters. Definitely not a book for everyone - you'll either love it or hate it - but it's right up my alley.

saschiapayne's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

jitka597's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

laurikawrites's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

chester_jeebs's review against another edition

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5.0

I still loved Jonas Jonasson's writing style as much as ever as he took me on an other fun adventure romp through an alternate history, this time with mathematics genius Nombeko in a wild almost-unbelievable story from South Africa to Sweden. She's the main but not only protagonist; the intertwining of each character's story in this light but clever narrative feels fully satisfying by the end. It's an adventure for adults that, while never taking itself too seriously, nevertheless makes some very good points.

emasvingerova's review against another edition

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5.0

Prostě bomba. Někdy tam bylo až moc politiky, ale všechno na sebe geniálně navazovalo, obdivuju autora, že nezapomněl ani na jednu z těch desítek postav a napsal to celé s humorem, i když se jednalo o politiku a atomovou bombu.
Rozhodně doporučuju! :)

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