The Girl Who Saved The King Of Sweden: A Novel

"I work in nonfiction, so I’m always looking for a fun tale to escape with, especially on that long flight home after a tough assignment. Jonas Jonasson had me from the beginning of this book with his main character, Nombeko. She has all the wit and ingenuity of another famous Swedish character — Stieg Larsson’s Lisbeth Salander — but thankfully for the King of Sweden, a good deal less rage and resentment. The story begins in apartheid South Africa and ends on a potato farm in modern-day Sweden. Along the way, Jonasson delivers well-developed characters and satire that’s spot-on. The book is hilarious and even heartbreaking, but always quirky and entertaining. I couldn’t put it down, let alone save some of it for my next plane ride."