So both books on the science reading list, which means I am seriously striking out with this list. Both were listened to on audiobook, and those narrators did nothing but add to the misery of listening to the writing of these books.

 

Naomi Klein can't write a damn narrative to save her life but she can nag and nag for up to 80+ minutes at a given time. There was some good info given in between the nag sessions, but the first chapter was over 80 minutes and was just the prologue. She is too damn long-winded and can't seem to end a point. And from what it sounded like when I listened to the narrator, Klein must use a WHOLE LOT of EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!!!!!

 

Rachel Carson's writing is way too flowery, so the science gets lost. There is little to no narrative, just scene after scene describing the landscape and then a dystopian nightmare of dead insects and birds due to chemical spraying. It was just repetitive. The narrator read the book as if she was reading a lullaby or cozy mystery, with little to no variation in her tone. It was a great way to fall asleep....but I don't need help falling asleep.

A delightful, surprising, silly, convoluted and humorous historical tale -- until it went on way too long.

 

Nombeko, the hero/main character, turns all bad things her way. She's smart, snarky and rather wonderful. She does some crazy things, but because it's a fantastical story, I was more than willing to follow along. From the most humble of beginnings in Soweto, Nombeko ends up with a pile of diamonds, then through some crazy accident she backtracks by getting somewhat enslaved (I suppose it's actually indentured servitude) to a stupid man who manufactures nuclear weapons. She's smarter than the man, so she gets the better end of that deal after a while, though she gets caught up with a couple of Mossad agents in the process. All of that takes her to Sweden, also rather accidentally. There she hooks up with a set of twins (Holger One and Holger Two -- it really is quite silly) who have a plan to liberate Sweden from royalty.

 

Needless to say, this doesn't sit well with our hero, who falls in love with the smarter of the twins. Their lives are intertwined irrevocably, so she and her Holger do their best to smother the murderous intentions of the other twin. Eventually all of this leads to the saving of the King of Sweden, among other international figureheads.

 

And that is where the story should have ended, but it didn't.

 

I was up for all of the previous plot, though it became less satisfying along the way. I could never have guessed what turns the plot would take, but the writing became repetitive. The tone stayed cheeky, the facts stayed wild, and after Nombeko had done so many amazing things, overcome entire intelligence agencies, court systems and arms manufacturers (not to mention apartheid,) and saved the King of Sweden, it just lost the luster. It all became the same, and that is decidedly not delightful.

 

And as for taking on race and class and all the other issues, it just doesn't. It uses these facts and history in service of a fun fairytale, but that's not the same as a good examination of the issues.

 

I have the other two books by this author - gifted to me by a friend who thought I'd adore them. I may eventually read them, but for now, I've had enough of this yarn.

Ironically funny1 This story took a minute to get to where it needed to be, but the journey to get there was fun and full of surprises. I love the characters, although some are distasteful creatures. Nombeko is awesome, and so is Holger Two. I love how smart Nombeko is. She is so clever that most people cannot keep up with her and whatever plot is in her mind. The love story between her and Holger Two is sweet too. The chemistry between them is unfathomable. I loved the whole adventure with the bomb though. That was the best part of the whole read. Seeing where it went, and where it would be going is what kept me glued. Yup, now I look forward to the other book I have on my kindle by Jonas Jonasson. I hope it's just as good!

Currently $1.99: The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, by Dorothy L. Sayers.  The Golden Compass (aka Northern Lights), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass, by Phillip Pullman.  Jack of Shadows, by Roger Zelazny.  Cheaper by the Dozen, by Frank Gilbreth and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey.

 

Currently $2.99: Three James Herriot Classics (All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful), by James Herriot.  Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh.

 

Currently $3.99: And the Band Played On, by Randy Shilts.  Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson.

Jonas Jonasson has a gift for political satire couched in extraordinary tales of endurance and intelligence. His characters are at once completely believable and extraordinary caricatures. You want to believe that people like this really do exist (and sometimes you shudder at the thought). The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden is a story of a girl who started at the bottom but struggled her way up through any means necessary. Hers is a story of patient determination to succeed and attain a happy, "normal" life. Much like the other book of his that I reviewed, this book is a rollicking (and at times quite raunchy) ride from beginning to end. For me, it was a solid 10/10. If you enjoy political satires with a bite then I think you'll enjoy this one.