The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden

I loved Jonas Jonasson’s first book The Hundred Year Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and so was really excited to read his second book that recently came out, The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden.

I was not disappointed.

I enjoy the way Jonasson writes, with fast paced, almost ridiculous storylines that cross the world and its history. Its easy to read, often comedic and genuinely interesting – mixing fact with obvious fiction.

This one follows the South African ‘illiterate’ Nombeko from her childhood beginnings as a latrine emptier in a shack in South Africa through to her dealings with world leaders such as the Chinese President and the King of Sweden. Along the way she meets odd characters in bizarre situations and Jonasson manages to throw in major world historical events and their backgrounds in an interesting way through the whole thing. Its a great education in 20th century history and like The Hundred Year Old Man is an uplifting story, showing that people can be more than we expect and exceed expectations, even from the humblest of beginnings.

A great feel good book.