Review: 'Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All' by Jonas Jonasson
My first book of 2018! Pleased to say I'm off to a good start in my reading this year, with one book down and the second almost done! This first one has definitely been enjoyable! I am a big fan of Jonas Jonasson - this is the second book of his that I've read and I've gone and bought his other ... Oooops....
Synopsis:
It's always awkward when five thousand kroner go missing. When it happens at a certain grotty hotel in south Stockholm, it's particularly awkward because the money belongs to the hitman currently staying in room seven. Per Person, the hotel receptionist, just wants to mind his own business, and preferably not get murdered. Johanna Kjellander, temporarily resident in room right, is a priest without vocation, and, as of last week, without a parish. But right now she has two things at her disposal: an envelope containing five thousand kroner, and an excellent idea...
Featuring one violent killer, two shrewd business brains and many crates of Moldovan red wine, Hitman Anders and the Meaning of It All is an outrageously zany story with as many laughs as Jonasson's The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared.
Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's full of unexpected twists and his characters are so matter of fact, which I think is just great. Everything that happens in the story is taken in their stride - meeting Stockholms underworld, becoming millionaires, loosing millions, murder, love - everything is taken in their stride in the most logical and accepting way you can imagine.
Although I love this about the characters, i do feel it makes the book a little unrealistic and the characters harder to engage with. There is a lack of development that allows the reader to really get to know the characters and feel what they are experiencing, but for a change in reading it's refreshing to read.
This story, following the lives of a hotel receptionist, ex-priest, and ex-murderer, is certainly unexpected. After a chance meeting, Per Person and Johanna find themselves the business manager of a man known, in Stockholms undesirable circles, as Hitman Anders.
Together, the three make millions of kroner, do the dirty work of Swedish gangs, con said gangsters, find Jesus (kind of) and more importantly, Moldovan wine - the little known body of Christ, and
go on a journey across Sweden - with a little murder, mayhem, and generous charity donations on the way!
Overall:
I definitely recommend this book. If you want an interesting story, but some easy reading it's a great option. The story is full of unexpected twists, and it will keep you guessing about what will be next for the trio. From thugs to ....well you'll have to read to find out ... It's certainly an enjoyable read!
Rating:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
