Reviews posted this week:

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton 3 stars


A Symphony of Echoes by Jodi Taylor 4 stars

Book Stuff:

Have you seen the Summer Library Challenge? Check out my library survey.

The Girl Who Saved the King of SwedenThe Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fiction
Fact:  In June 2007 the King and the Prime Minister of Sweden both went missing from a banquet at the castle.

Fact:  South Africa developed six nuclear weapons in the 1980s and voluntarily dismantled them in 1994.

But what if they had actually made 7 bombs? 

The Cast:

Nombeko – An unusually intelligent girl born in a Soweto slum during the height of apartheid.  Manages to steal 19.6 million in diamonds and ends up locked up in a secure nuclear facility (but not because of the theft).  Finally escapes but accidentally takes the seventh bomb with her.

Holger One – A Swedish man who was raised by his father to bring down the monarchy.  Too bad he really isn’t smart enough to figure out how.

Holger Two – Holger One’s unexpected identical twin brother who was never registered at birth and officially does not exist.  He’s smart enough to know that his father and brother are crazy.

Celestine – Holger One’s very angry girlfriend.  She wants to fight the power but unfortunately the power keeps ignoring her.

This author’s previous book The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared was my introduction to his absurdist writing style.  There is internal logic to this book but don’t expect it to be realistic.  The fun is going along for the ride.

I gave this three stars only because I thought it bogged down a little in the middle but then picked up again at the end.  I really recommend this book for anyone who is willing to suspend disbelief for a witty and entertaining read.