JONAS JONASSON
JONAS JONASSON’S beloved books about hundred-year-old Allan Karlsson has put him on the map as a global phenomenon. With over sixteen million books sold in forty-six countries, Jonasson has become one of Sweden’s most popular authors of the last decade. With six successful novels already published, Jonasson is gearing up to return this summer with a new title.
Jonasson was born and raised in the Swedish town of Växjö, and after many years in journalism and the media industry, he took a leap of faith, sold off his belongings and became an author. Today, Jonas lives in Stockholm with his family.
’For a second, let's stereotype. When we think of Sweden we think of Ikea, ABBA, and Vikings. In the future I sincerely hope that Jonas Jonasson can be added to that list.’
- The Guardian
’Jonasson creates the near impossible with his astute assessments of today’s unstable global political climate and endearingly sweet characters, providing laugh-out-loud moments in a dark time. Reminiscent of Alexander McCall Smith’s The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency with a side order of Forrest Gump.’
- Library Journal (Starred review)
‘Uproarious... Jonasson’s clever prose, madcap delights, and satirical political commentary will please fans of the original novel and newcomers alike.’
- Publishers Weekly
‘A welcome visit from an old friend that’s filled with laugh out-loud hijinx as well as thought- provoking and timely satire on the current state of the world and the perils of power.’
- Booklist
‘As much ludicrous fun as the first book but with the additioal bonus of being set in today’s crazy political world... Highly recommended.’
- Express
Agent: Erik Larsson & Elin Sandström Lundh
WORKS
THE DISTINCTLY COMPETENT DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
published NOVEMBER 2024
Genre Fiction
Pages 192
Rights sold
czech: Nakladatelství Arkona s.r.o.
Germany - C Bertelsmann
SLOVENIAN: MLADINSKA KNJIGA
uk – fourth estate
All over the world you can slumber happily in the most comfortable beds of the Traumbett brand, made in Hamburg, Germany.
Well, not quite everywhere, it's only in Sweden that the company has not yet been able to assert itself. New company owner Konrad Kaltenbacher Jr. wants to change that as soon as possible. And if it had been up to Julia, the local councillor in Halstaholm, Traumbett would have set up shop there long ago, generating 800 new jobs.
To convince the Germans of the benefits of Halstaholm (in competition with the dreary capital Stockholm), Julia resolutely launches an unprecedented charm offensive. The town is immediately transformed into a red, yellow and black oasis and an irresistible partner for a giant German investment.
With THE DISTINCTLY COMPETENT DISTRICT COUNCILLOR, his eighth novel, Jonas Jonasson strengthens his position as one of the country's most entertaining authors.
ALGOT, ANNA STINA AND THE WATER OF LIFE
published JUNE 2024
Genre Fiction
Pages 352
Rights sold
DANISH: MODTRYK
CZECH: ALBATROS MEDIA
Germany - C Bertelsmann
NORWEGIAN: VIGMOSTAD & BJORKE
ITALIAN: LA NAVE DI TESEO
DUTCH: SIGNATUUR
ESTONIAN: VARRAK
KOREAN: THE OPEN BOOKS.
BULGARIAN: COLIBRI
SLOVAKIAN: IKAR
SLOVENIAN: MLADINSKA KNJIGA
HUNGARIAN: ATHENAEUM KIADO
uk – fourth estate
Jonas Jonasson is back with an irresistible picaresque about Algot Olsson, the pig farmer’s son, and a motley crew of people in Småland’s Värend, who engage in the beautiful and hopefully lucrative art of distilling spirits for the benefit of the Swedish people. Their tracks are repeatedly crossed by the indebted and selfish Count Bielkegren, his ruthless and inept son the lieutenant, and his wife and daughter who collect Arabian thoroughbreds and shoes.
When the count and his son eventually come to the same distilled conclusion, that alcohol = profit, they become easy prey for Algot & Co, who have some geese to pick with the nobles. It all unfolds before the eyes of an astonished and dismayed Oscar I, the second Bernadotte on the Swedish throne.
Jonas Jonasson paints a priceless picture of Sweden in the middle of the 19th century, a poor and dirty corner of Europe at the time, and how ingenuity and cunning can compete with wealth and property in achieving success in the world.
ALGOT, ANNA STINA AND THE BLESSED MOONSHINE is a new highlight in Jonas Jonasson’s oeuvre.
THE PROPHET AND THE IDIOT
published JUNE 2022
Genre Fiction
Pages 416
Rights sold
Czech Republic - Albatros Media.
Bulgaria - Colibri
Denmark - Modtryk
Estonia - Varrak
FRENCH - PRESSES DE LA CITÉ
Germany - C Bertelsmann
Hungary - Athenaeum Kiado
Italy - la nave di teseo
korea - the open books.
the netherlands - signatuur
norway - vigmostad & bjorke
Slovakia - IKAR
slovenia - mladinska knjiga
swedish - polaris
uk – fourth estate
US – Harpercollins
Sweden, late summer of 2011.
Self-taught astrophysicist Petra has calculated that the atmosphere will collapse on the 21st of September that year, around 21.20 to be more precise, bringing about the end of times. Circumstances bring Petra the doomsday-prophet to meet Johan, a man who is somewhat lacking in the intelligence department, but who can turn simple food into gourmet cuisine, and Agnes, a widow of 75 who has made bank living a double life on social media as a young influencer. Together, the trio race through Europe in a camper van on their way to Rome as Johan plans to make the most out of the time he has left by finally standing up to his heinous big brother, promising to deliver a swift yet brutal blow, in more ways than one. But of course, nothing ever goes as planned. Not even the end of the world.
In his sixth novel, THE PROPHET AND THE IDIOT, Jonasson takes the reader on a dazzling road trip all over the globe - from Sweden, through Europe, across Africa, and all the way to the US. It's an immensely funny, socially conscious, and life-affirming story about what can happen when three odd yet fully reasonable characters come together and find reason to make mutual plans; all told in a classic Jonasson-esque manner. In short: intelligent humour at its best!
REVIEWS
“Jonasson’s ability to explain and understand large and complex contexts with small means is hard to beat. The characters, albeit somewhat one-dimensional, are portrayed with a lot of warmth and despite the improbability of the course of events, things never become banal. As a reader, you have incredible fun in his company, and you also become a little wiser along the way.”
- BTJ
MORE BY THE AUTHOR