"Hallo daar!" Nombeko would say! I've started reading TCD's book of the month, The Girl who Saved the King of Sweden and it's already fantastic. I will be honest, I was a little slow to pick up the book in the first place, it just sat by my bed asking to be read, but I ignored the cries until yesterday when I went on a little jolly to Nottingham and took the book for a spin on the bus. So far I've read the first two chapters and I'm engrossed. The writing is engaging and funny, with short, astute sentences hinting at the fierceness of our heroine, Soweto teenager, Nombeko Mayeki (she thinks). Without giving too much away, because so far I would easily recommend this book to anyone who wanted something to read, chapter one sets the scene for us in Soweto, South Africa and the startling reality that millions of children such as Nombeko face. But that's where she is a different sort of teenager. With the majority of the Soweto population illiterate, Nombeko has the uncanny ability to add, subtract, divide and multiply in her head. Like Roald Dahl's Matilda before her, a girl who in the eyes of those in charge should just be another statistic proves her worth in her amazing abilities, breaking free from the life she was meant to lead - short and unimportant.
Chapter two takes Nombeko out of Soweto and crashing (literally) into the life of a Swedish engineer. It's then that we are transported across the world to my spiritual home of Sweden and introduced to some fairly topsy-turvy characters. Jonas Jonasson writes easily and keeps the reader hooked on his every believable word. I can't wait to read more of this brilliant story and update you on Nombeko's adventure!
What I did yesterday.
MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT: Die Antwoord, ABBA, Nkosi Sikelel (South African National Anthem), Du Gamla Du Fria (Swedish National Anthem)
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