HITMAN ANDERS & MEANING IT Paperback – April 8, 2016

Some people would hate this novel. I loved it and I’m pretty sure I’m not alone.I honestly haven’t laughed as much at this kind of religious irreverence since I read God Knows, by Joseph Heller (who also wrote Catch 22). So the writer of this book, Jonas Jonasson, is in good company indeed.I knew from the start I was going to like this book.It takes black comedy to new heights. It’s farce. It’s madcap. It takes the funny bone and gives it a damn good thrashing.I suspect the author delivers some underlying messages about the meaning of it all. But don’t ask me what they are. I’m just not that deep.I know this though: the book should come with a warning about drinking any kind of beverage, especially Moldovan red wine, when reading Hitman Anders, lest liquid come out of your nose, when you snort at the one of the many funny, clever sentences. This reminds me of Joseph Heller too.I loved most of the characters. They are caricatures for sure, but I could picture most of them.The book moves along at a fair pace and there are twists and turns.So why would anyone hate the book? I suspect the violence might offend some. I’d argue it’s cartoon violence though.The Bible certainly comes in for ridicule.You’d have to hope God has a sense of humour.

Put a young female minister who doesn't believe a word of the Bible; a young receptionist whose life is going nowhere; and a "hitman" just out of prison who would rather maim than kill to avoid further long jail terms together and you have a zany book. A totally ridiculous mix of love, mayhem, get rich quick schemes, theft, licenses to kill, and bad guys chasing bad guys. Yet somehow the book is innocently sweet despite the avarice of the minister and the receptionist and their lack of any moral compass.The author, Jonas Jonasson, has a kooky and original mind. His 100 Year Old Man book is similarly unusual in that it puts a crazy group of characters together that probably couldn't exist in the real world.Implausible as Hitman Anders is and as often as I thought, "I don't believe this"; it was still fun--and I enjoyed it.

He is a unique storyteller. I enjoyed his quirky humour.

I like this author very much. "Hitman" started out a little slow for me, but I was completely hooked by the second half. Again, I was disturbing the other passengers on my flight as I was full-on belly laughing. The events are hysterically funny. His clever language is dry or ironic humor which tickles me with great delight. The characters are lovable, their antics ridiculous and I'm crazy about the story. I'm learning Swedish so I don't have to wait until his next book is translated into English. My favorite book of Jonasson's remains "The 100 Year Old Man who....." The author's thank you to God is one of the best ever. If you don't have a sense of humor about the God and the Bible, it's just not funny. But then Jonasson asks God for help to assist people to take God less seriously and be kinder to one another and we should laugh more. This book will get the job done. The other author who crazily quotes the Bible is Christopher Moore in "Lamb." I love both these authors and books.

Hilarity upon hilarity later, they manage to con the hardened criminals and find pleasure pleasure in giving but find taking gives them more pleadure. So, they devise business models with questionable morality but which bring unlimited happiness to the target audience and mulah to these lovely people. A liberal liberty with the church, a dig at the police and administration, a surprising insight into the mentality of crooksand violent criminals make it an interesting read if you choose to suspend your logic for a while.Overall: a highly readable light reading with durprising insights into almost everything, human nature included. Waiting to read your other creations, Jonas Jonasson.

Satirical story, set in Sweden. Quirky characters. Not my ordinary choice.

What did i like the best, well, Jonasson is just a hoot in his description of events and how the development of his characters react to those situations. I am a fan of his books, I try to pace myself however to read only so long otherwise, if I'm not careful I end up reading into the wee hours. His characters and incidents are infective and they lead you to keep going to see how they get resolved, but then they take a different path. All his books are like that. If you like outrageous storytelling then this is another good and fun one from the author. I highly recommend it, but your must keep a smile on your face as you explore, a great treat.

Another Swedish author and another Swedish book. I enjoyed this one and I liked the simple but highly effective writing. At times it got a little long win. but for the most part it was a well crafted plot with many interesting and interwoven sub plots that tie nicely together. This writing style is very similar to the other Swedish authors I read (I recently completed A Man Called OVE")Recommend both these books highly for pure enjoyment and laughter

I just love this author and this is the 5th book I have read so ridiculously crafted by him. 4* because '10 year old man...' was exceptional closely followed by 'The Girl who saved the King of Sweden'.Not so many laugh out loud moments in this and not as much of a page turner but still a great read if you just want to immerse yourself in sheer, clever daftness. I love the way the plot is weaved.I am loathe to even attempt to describe the story without giving away the bonkers plot but, suffice it to say you have a nasty thug, a number of other thugs; a non-believing, non-practising ejected female priest and, a hotel receptionist (by default); cunning plots to make a lot of money that would not occur to anyone save for Jonas Jonasson; Lots of bad behaviour, religion, come tuppence and, a bit of romance in the mix. Like all of Jonasson's books, he carries you along on a journey - you must read this and see where it takes you and, it's like nothing you have ever read before.Intelligent although sometimes it feels the writer is trying just a little bit too hard to be funny but, that does not really matter. I think it would make a great, bonkers, film. Recommend.

Once again Jonas Jonasson does not disappoint. He is my favourite author! Funny, witty and just when you think you know where he's going he throws in a twist that keeps you flipping the page. He has a great sense of humour that is truly entertaining!I started with The 100 Year Old Man, followed by Hitman Anders and finished with The Girl who Saved The King of Sweden. Read them all and enjoy! I can hardly wait for his next!!!

Having read100yr old man --- (twice), The girl who saved the king ---, it must be difficult for this talented author to maintain such a high standard of invention and humour. However, I did enjoy reading the 'Hitman Anders'. If anyone has not read the other 2 books - they must!

Hilarious , thought provoking, profound even.

スェーデンのヤナーセンのハチャメチャ物語第3作目。今回は札付きの乱暴者で野球バットで骨をたたき折りまくる！！ヒットマン・アンダーズが主人公。彼に目をつけたのがトラウマを抱える二人、怪しいホテルの受付係（悪らつな馬喰を祖父にもつ）と教区から追い出された新教女性司祭（厳格すぎる父のせいで反キリスト者になった）。最初は依頼を受けてヒットマンを派遣する（骨をたたき折る！！）斡旋業でぼろもうけ。ところがある日ヒットマンが神の啓示を受け、突然善人に？すると営業担当の二人はヒットマンを伝道師として営業を開始！！ハチャメチャな展開ながら、慈善と偽善を笑い倒すユーモアと皮肉に満ちている。67章には日本語、はい、がそのまま登場！一作目に比べると少しパワー減なので星減だが、十分楽しめる。