The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman was first published in Sweden in 2016 by Helsingborgs Dagblad. It was translated into English by Alice Menzies and published by Michael Joseph. This is a beautifully produced little book with just 65 pages including the illustrations. It’s a short story, but it begins with the explanation by the author of how he came to write it. The setting is mainly a hospital in Helsingborg where the narrator is being treated for some form of cancer. He is very wealthy, but has spent all of his time gathering more money than he needs, and has neglected his own son.

In the hospital he befriends a five year old girl who spends all her time colouring in with crayons, particularly a chair which she has decided should be red. They’ve both seen the woman dressed in grey who stalks the corridors of the hospital at night, carrying a folder. They both know who she is and dread her stopping at their door.

He decides to speak to the woman, in the hope that he can do a deal with her, and she explains what has to happen for a deal to be possible.

This was a great read, and I enjoyed the illustrations too.