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Name: Amazon.com: The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden: A Novel: 9780062329141: Jonasson, Jonas, Willson-Broyles, Rachel: Books
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Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 4.1 (15486 reviews)

Jonas Jonasson

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The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden: A Novel Paperback – April 7, 2015

by Jonas Jonasson (Author), Rachel Willson-Broyles (Author)

15,486 ratings

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A picaresque tale of how one person's actions can have far-reaching—even global—consequences, from the author of the bestselling novel The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

In a tiny shack in the largest township in South Africa, Nombeko Mayeki is born. Poor and orphaned, she quickly learns that the world expects her to die young. But Nombeko has grander plans. Little does this cunning and fearless girl know that soon she will steal a fortune in diamonds, outwit a mad scientist kidnapper, travel across the world, fall in with a pair of diabolical assassins, and ultimately save a king--and possibly the world.

Jonas Jonasson tackles issues ranging from the pervasiveness of racism to the dangers of absolute power in a charming and hilarious story. In the inimitable voice that has earned him legions of fans the world over, he gives us another rollicking tale of how even the smallest of decisions can ripple out into the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A funny and completely implausible farce about a woman, a bomb and a man’s frustrated ambition to overthrow the king of Sweden… The rest of the world will chuckle all the way through it.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“In The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden, Jonas Jonasson unfurls a wide, whimsical net that readers will relish being caught up in.” — BookPage

“A funny and improbable tale with characters from South Africa to Sweden demonstrates how even the most seemingly insignificant people can change the fate of the world.” — Denver Post

From the Back Cover

In a tiny shack in the largest township in South Africa, Nombeko Mayeki is born. Put to work at five years old and orphaned at ten, she quickly learns that the world expects nothing more from her than to die young. But Nombeko has grander plans. She learns to read and write, and at just fifteen, using her cunning and fearlessness, she makes it out of Soweto with millions of smuggled diamonds in her possession. Then things take a turn for the worse. . . .

Nombeko’s life ends up hopelessly intertwined with the lives of Swedish twins intent on bringing down the Swedish monarchy. In this wild romp, Jonasson tackles issues ranging from the pervasiveness of racism to the dangers of absolute power. In the satirical voice that has earned him legions of fans the world over, he gives us another rollicking tale of how even the smallest of decisions can have global consequences.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ecco; Reprint edition (April 7, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062329146
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062329141
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.9 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #277,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,486 in Humorous Fiction
- #2,562 in Science Fiction Crime & Mystery
- #17,151 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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Jonas Jonasson

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Jonas Jonasson was a journalist for the Expressen newspaper for many years. He became a media consultant and later set up a company producing sports and events for Swedish television, before selling his company and moving abroad to work on his first novel. He is the author of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden and Hitman Anders and the Meaning of it All. He lives on the Swedish island Gotland in the Baltic Sea.

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Customers find the book humorous, with one noting how the chain of events play out with humor, and appreciate its clever storytelling with unexpected twists and a thoughtful historical thread. The writing style receives positive feedback for being wonderfully written and easy to read, while the characters are fascinating and hook readers completely. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it quick while others say it drags on, and several customers note the book is too long.

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Humor Story quality Readability Thought provoking Writing style Character development Pacing Length

451 customers mention "Humor"432 positive19 negative

Customers find the book humorous, with the chain of events played out with humor and customers laughing non-stop throughout the story.

"...Easy reading, funny yet with some very poignant messages, well written - my sort of read." Read more

"...Within this framework, the author creates a vibrant farce involving the loyalties and relationships among people, countries, and political points of..." Read more

"...human stupidity and brilliance, doled out in doubles and triples is amusing and thought provoking, making it possible to stand stories of appalling..." Read more

"...on the Bush-Gore election was priceless and there were equally funny comments on Mandela, the King of Sweden and the Prime Minister...." Read more

266 customers mention "Story quality"219 positive47 negative

Customers praise the novel's clever and interesting plot with unexpected twists, and appreciate the thoughtful historical thread woven throughout the narrative.

"...I started reading and could not put it down. I love the bizarre historical facts woven through the totally unbelievable story...." Read more

"In a novel so wild and imaginative that it screams out to be made into a film, Swedish author Jonas Jonasson expands this "farce" beyond the..." Read more

"...Jonasson has fascinating characters that are develop and improbable, complex situations that make you start asking - well maybe it could happen that..." Read more

"...It will keep you reading well past your bedtime as the story unwinds, rewinds and unwinds again and again. I loved it. I hope you will as well." Read more

251 customers mention "Readability"226 positive25 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and captivating, with several noting that half of it is particularly good, and one customer describing it as a breath of fresh air.

"...Jonasson’s humor carries the day in this lovely, optimistic keystone cops-meet Winnie the Pooh-with a twist of Candide version of how social..." Read more

"I have to say that this is one of the best books I have read in several years. It is rollicking fun...." Read more

"...Excitement, love for one another, danger, humor, drama, romance ( some..lol),some historical information and all wrapped up in a solid story line...." Read more

"...That was the best part of the whole read. Seeing where it went, and where it would be going is what kept me glued...." Read more

150 customers mention "Thought provoking"125 positive25 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and clever, appreciating its imaginative approach and original thinking.

"...Easy reading, funny yet with some very poignant messages, well written - my sort of read." Read more

"In a novel so wild and imaginative that it screams out to be made into a film, Swedish author Jonas Jonasson expands this "farce" beyond the..." Read more

"...and brilliance, doled out in doubles and triples is amusing and thought provoking, making it possible to stand stories of appalling cruelty while..." Read more

"...Quirky and utterly unique, The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden is a charming and humorous account of one young woman's unlikely adventure." Read more

127 customers mention "Writing style"120 positive7 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting it reads like a fable and is easy to read.

"...Easy reading, funny yet with some very poignant messages, well written - my sort of read." Read more

"...She is an absolutely hilarious character and is a perfect exaggeration of people we all meet...." Read more

"...If you are looking for an exciting, funny, gripping read, than you have found the perfect book!" Read more

"...It was beyond belief, and at the same time, I'd be shocked to hear the characters aren't real and living a quiet real life in Sweden...." Read more

122 customers mention "Character development"105 positive17 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them fascinating and noting how the plot and characters engage readers completely.

"...The characters are larger than life, almost caricatures, and play out their roles consistent with their particular traits...." Read more

"...The reliance on mirror images of character, contrasts of human stupidity and brilliance, doled out in doubles and triples is amusing and thought..." Read more

"...At first I loved the plot. Jonasson has fascinating characters that are develop and improbable, complex situations that make you start asking - well..." Read more

"This novel has quite a few zany characters including the protagonist, Nombeka, a poor South African girl with a gift for numbers...." Read more

47 customers mention "Pacing"28 positive19 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it quick and moving along well, while others report that it has serious slow times and drags on.

"A fairly long book, but it never drags...." Read more

"Very unusual and engaging writing style, a bit slow in a couple of places, but overall a very enjoyable read." Read more

"...Could scarce put it down! A fast, light read, it has the twists and humor of the author's "the 100 Year Old Man..." Looking forward to the..." Read more

"...The pace is not as steady (this drags a bit in the middle). The characters are not as likable nor as probable as in his other book." Read more

25 customers mention "Length"3 positive22 negative

Customers find the book too long, with multiple reviews specifically mentioning it being 50 pages too extensive.

"...That’s not the issue. It was just simply too long...." Read more

"A fairly long book, but it never drags...." Read more

"...The plot was odd but so well done, but then it went on and on and never ended. I read 3 books in between this one, and am still haven't finished...." Read more

"...It is perhaps one hundred pages too long. The story meanders so much it doesn't hold interest...." Read more

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Threepence Worth
Humorous, far fetched, captivating. Love this author. Keep writing Jonas!
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2016
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Having read The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by the same author I was delighted to have this book chosen for our bookclub. I started reading and could not put it down. I love the bizarre historical facts woven through the totally unbelievable story. The characters are larger than life, almost caricatures, and play out their roles consistent with their particular traits. The events are weird in the extreme yet described in such a way that I was prepared to accept them at face value and go with the flow in order to allow the story to develop. Easy reading, funny yet with some very poignant messages, well written - my sort of read.

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Mary Whipple
"In some ways they were lucky, the latrine emptiers in S. Africa's largest shantytown.They had a job, a roof over their heads."
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
In a novel so wild and imaginative that it screams out to be made into a film, Swedish author Jonas Jonasson expands this "farce" beyond the customary domestic focus and uses the whole world as his stage. Drawing his characters from South Africa, Israel, China, and Sweden, with a couple of Americans also earning passing swipes, he focuses on cultural and racial issues; world affairs, including the modern political history of several countries; and the accidents of history which have the power to change the world. The craziness starts with the novel's over-the-top opening line, quoted here as this review's title. For the next four hundred pages, the bold absurdity continues, spreading outward until it eventually absorbs the kings, presidents, and prime ministers of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Main character Nombeko Mayeki, a thirteen-year-old orphan, has been a latrine worker in Soweto, South Africa's largest shantytown, for half her life, educating herself on the job by counting the barrels she totes, then gradually making the counting exercises harder until she can multiply huge sums in her head. She is as verbal as she is mathematical - and so astute as to motivations of those around her that she progresses quickly, both on the job and in her education, proving to be far more clever than the people who teach her. Her eventual escape for Pretoria ends quickly when she is injured. A judge sentences her to work for the man who injured her - at Pelindaba, a nuclear research facility north of Johannesburg which is working to build an atomic bomb.

Alternating with the story of Nombeko is the story of Ingmar Qvist, a Swede whose life's mission is to shake the hand of Swedish King Gustav V. In following the king, however, he becomes so intrusive that the king hits him with his cane, turning him instantly into a social democrat devoted to ending the monarchy.

Within this framework, the author creates a vibrant farce involving the loyalties and relationships among people, countries, and political points of view. As South Africa changes, and the government begins to fear what might happen if Nelson Mandela's supporters were to acquire the six atomic bombs which the country has already developed, the novel becomes more complex. The Chinese and Israelis are also anxious to obtain these bombs. When Nombeko eventually moves to Sweden, lugging along an unknown seventh bomb with her, the free-for-all becomes a reality. The two plot lines converge as Nombeko (and her bomb) move into a condemned factory building in Gnesta, the very building where Ingmar Qvist's two politically motivated sons also live.

More complex and character driven than many other farces, the novel is also longer than most, stretching the limits of the genre. Jonasson straddles the line admirably, matching his plot to real events acted out by real people in South Africa, Sweden, China, and Israel. Picaresque, with a plot which wanders around following the life of Nombeko from the age of thirteen to forty-seven, the novel wastes no time in making its points about personal and political responsibility, or as the author says, "If God does exist, he must have a good sense of humor."

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8 people found this helpful

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Arman Cornell
in which many sad happenings are answered with kindness
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
”the girl who saved the King of Sweden” (largely from events of her own making) is a comic take on one Swede’s view of international history of the modern era. Jonasson’s humor carries the day in this lovely, optimistic keystone cops-meet Winnie the Pooh-with a twist of Candide version of how social injustice finds itself on it’s ear when the brilliance and patience of Nombeko Mayeki have their way. Delightful bedtime story for grown ups grown weary of global politics such as they are, who long for some good to come of humanity. Like the 100 year old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared, this is a tonic for anyone needing a corrective for ill humor. The reliance on mirror images of character, contrasts of human stupidity and brilliance, doled out in doubles and triples is amusing and thought provoking, making it possible to stand stories of appalling cruelty while waiting for better to come about. Calling up memories of Mandela in this story has a prescriptive and instructive purpose that merits it’s place in the tale. This one will have me thinking for some time to come. I will miss Nombeko now that the story has ended.

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Dandelion
Great start, decent middle, dull over written ending
Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
I looked forward to getting this novel because I read his first one, "The 100 Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared" and loved it. At first I loved the plot. Jonasson has fascinating characters that are develop and improbable, complex situations that make you start asking - well maybe it could happen that way. It is a South African native (Nombeko) meets up in Sweden with two brothers (Holger One and Holger Two), one of whom officially does not exist. She also has an atom bomb that is not suppose to exist. They are (sort of) chased by Israel agents. At first the book had wonderful biting political and social humor, so satirical that I laughed out loud. The comment on the Bush-Gore election was priceless and there were equally funny comments on Mandela, the King of Sweden and the Prime Minister. Jonasson manages to make one wonder "could someone be this stupid?" If Jonasson had stayed in this vein of writing, I would have loved the book.
However, after Nombeko establishes a relationship with Holger Two, the plot settles down to a dull whisper and the resolution of the conflict got absolutely deadly dull for me. I found myself flipping pages not to find out what happened next, but to end the story. The "chase" by the Israel agents seemed an after thought and just seemed to dangle at the end(at least for one of them). For instance he spends way too many pages giving the background for the King of Sweden and the Prime Minister. He also resolves final issues with the characters with overly idealistic solutions.
I flipped through at least 50+ pages that seemed pointless. The only redeeming part was the characterization of Holger One's girl friend, Celestine, who hates everything and anything on both sides of an issue and does not know why, nor does she ever make sense. She is an absolutely hilarious character and is a perfect exaggeration of people we all meet. There are a few spots in the last part that are good, even funny, but not many. I am disappointed with all but the first half of the book. The book is being given away.

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kittenje
Refreshing and humorous! You've got to read these :)
Reviewed in Canada on May 8, 2015
Verified Purchase

You MUST read this book, and his other novel, "The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared". Such light, enjoyable reads. A common theme across both stories, is the author leading you through the lives of characters who have a wish to live a simple life, but end up in the most absurd situations along the way. Often people try to take advantage or manipulate them due to their trusting somewhat aloof nature, but in the end they always have the upper hand. Even though they don't maliciously sabotage others, and merely continue trying to eke out a living suitable to them, the lead characters always end up having the last laugh. The character portrayals are extremely funny, from the 'idiots in charge' to the 'what will be, will be' attitude of the main characters. The stories are refreshing and fun, and worth some good laughs.

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highlevel
Umorismo e serietà
Reviewed in Italy on August 20, 2014
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The girl who saved the king of sweden di Jonas Jonasson (in italiano:l'analfabeta che sapeva contare)se avete letto il centenario che saltò dalla finestra e scomparve e vi siete divertiti non perdete questo nuovo romanzo. Rocambolesche avventure ed un umorismo fantastico vi faranno leggere questo libro tutto d'un fiato. La storia inoltre affronta temi seri come il razzismo e l'estremismo politico mostrando il lato comico che queste malsane tendenze causano. Nella Storia una ragazzina dotata per la matematica salva davvero un re di Svezia che avrebbe voluto essere qualcosa d'altro. Devo ammettere che questi libri moderni fanno divertire come il buon e divertente giornalino di gianburrasca

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sania
Very recommendable!
Reviewed in Spain on May 24, 2014
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I loved the book for its intelligent humour, hilarous plot and totally unexpected setting. The characters are brillliantly defined and consistent. Very recommendable to anyone wanting to have a great laugh and good time.

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Neha S
Don’t think twice before buying this!
Reviewed in India on April 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
This is a superb book. I’m so glad I bought it. It’s my first by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was literally the find of the year for me. Funny, irreverent and yet intelligently written, it was the perfect read to forget the world at the end of stressful days.

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パパ
jonasson
Reviewed in Japan on April 11, 2018
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it is very good. i think jonasson is a marvelous writer.

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The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden: A Novel Paperback – April 7, 2015

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5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous, far fetched, captivating. Love this author. Keep writing Jonas!

4.0 out of 5 stars "In some ways they were lucky, the latrine emptiers in S. Africa's largest shantytown.They had a job, a roof over their heads."

5.0 out of 5 stars in which many sad happenings are answered with kindness

3.0 out of 5 stars Great start, decent middle, dull over written ending

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing and humorous! You've got to read these :)

5.0 out of 5 stars Umorismo e serietà

5.0 out of 5 stars Very recommendable!

5.0 out of 5 stars Don’t think twice before buying this!

5.0 out of 5 stars jonasson

Humorous, far fetched, captivating. Love this author. Keep writing Jonas!

"In some ways they were lucky, the latrine emptiers in S. Africa's largest shantytown.They had a job, a roof over their heads."

in which many sad happenings are answered with kindness

Great start, decent middle, dull over written ending

Refreshing and humorous! You've got to read these :)

Umorismo e serietà

Very recommendable!

Don’t think twice before buying this!

jonasson