The Deal of a Lifetime: A Novella

I first read this book two years ago and was moved by how painfully profound it is. It is Christmas Eve and a father writes a letter to his son, telling him a story, but this isn't your typical Christmas story. He admits to his son that he has taken a life, and he won't say whose. Atleast not yet. The Deal of a Lifetime is a poignant telling of a father's relationship with his son, and of a man's dilemma with life, death, and forgiveness. Like all of Backman's stories, this one too takes you on an introspective journey through the past. Only this time, that past is at stake. Once again, you can't help but marvel at the simplicity of this story about love and the ultimate sacrifice, told with an extraordinary charm that is both tragic and beautiful. Back then I had read the ebook version of this title and, because I love Fredrik Backman's books, I was waiting to get my hands on the hardcover edition which I finally did last month. So naturally, I had to read it again, even though I rarely re-read books. But I'll make an exception for Fredrik Backman. Always.

This is such a short and yet extremely powerful book; Backman starts off the book by explaining how he came to write this story and I feel this makes it all the more powerful. Backman has a way of writing wherein he just puts his complete heart and soul into his words and it really leaps off the pages; especially with this one and that opening line! Whilst it's a short story you still have no idea of where the plot is going or what is happening until the end. This book is a really poignant tale about what we would do for others; those we love and those we barely know. There are illustrations throughout this book that really add to the story and really make this book something more special. Whilst this is a very short book it is still one I loved and the design is delightful. I think I could read anything by him and love it.

Most of the reviews I've read talk about the cost of the book and rate the book based on their feeling of getting ripped off by the price. They don't discuss the actual story, the writing, the message conveyed or anything else to do with the actual book though. Is the book overpriced for its size? Sure, but I believe Amazon and every other online book store provides you with the details of the book prior to purchasing it. So it clearly says that the book is 65 pages long. If you thought it was too expensive for such a short book, there was no need to buy it in the first place. I bought it and I read it in 30 minutes. It is a really short book, with illustrations inside that give it the feel of a children's fairytale - although it isn't one - perhaps more of an adult fable. The story is profound. It is painful and it is very true to Fredrik Backman, who does not shy away from any topic, no matter how difficult it is to read about. The story plays out like a letter that a father is writing his son. It is an apology. It is a goodbye. It is sad and heartfelt and full of regret. In a span of very few pages, the father makes you hate him, love him, root for him and respect him. You can't begin to understand your own feelings towards this character, but he touches you somehow. He confesses that he's killed a girl. We're shocked. We don't get it. Is it a hit and run? Is he a doctor that made a surgical error? What's going on? He talks about an older lady in a grey sweater. We sees glimpses of his past. We begin to understand a little more. We now know what this older lady represents. We expect one thing. Another happens. His foreword at the beginning, in which he talks about the circumstances that led to writing this novella are just as good. Perhaps just as important to read. It really sets the scene for the whole story, and makes you think beyond the characters and into the writer's life, wondering if the story is in any way a reflection of feelings he's had or has been having, of conflicts he's been facing with his own family. Who knows? 65 pages - half of which are illustrations - but he still gets to me. Fredrik Backman is someone I love reading for, no matter how short the story, or how few the pages.

Como todos los de Backman, este libro, aunque sea muy cortito, te llega al corazón

Ich habe diese Kurzgeschichte von Fredrick Backman in einem Rutsch durchgelesen. Eine kleine Geschichte die nach dem Lesen noch eine Weile bei einem bleibt.