The Deal of a Lifetime

3.5 Stars* (rounded down)

A short novella about the meaning of life, death and sacrifice by Fredrik Backman, one of my all-time favorite authors.

It is poignant, sincere and heartfelt. A quick, easy read. Enough said.

Published on Goodreads, the store, Twitter and Facebook on 11.6.17.

I love Fredrik Backman's style of writing and this short story was no exception. The Deal of a Lifetime is a sad and sweet story about a man who has sacrificed his relationships for his success and a young girls causes him to spend time reflecting on his decisions. My only big criticism is that I wanted more, I wanted the story to be longer and I wanted to learn more about each of the characters.

Christmas Eve: It’s a special time, everyone would agree. And a father has a special story for his adult son. He hasn’t seen him in a while, and now it will be even longer until he sees him again. By Christmas morning, the father will be gone, for he has taken a life. The story he wants to tell his son he hopes will explain everything, but it seems unlikely.

This man has been in the hospital for some time. There, he has watched a five-year-old girl battling cancer. She passes her days, knowing the disease that has invaded her body will take her away soon. But she is very brave, putting on an act mostly for her mother, who pretends that her little girl can beat the cancer. The man also has cancer, although a different type, and understands how slim her chances are. Her courage amazes him, and he finds that it hurts to watch her going through so much, especially at such a young age. He can literally see death lurking at her bedside, waiting to take her. He knows it will come for him too, but he has had a life. Maybe not a very good life, but a full and successful one.

The man never lived like normal people. That’s not what he wanted. His focus was on achieving fame, becoming the top at his game and staying there. Because of who he is, he will be missed by many. The little girl will be missed by only a few. It doesn’t seem fair, but then life isn’t fair. The man has faced death many times, just not his own. Until now. Death has taken too many of his loved ones, so he knows its pain. He is not the kind, though, to feel pity for the girl’s mother, or worry about the hole the child’s loss will leave. He never lived for happiness, so their happiness is of little concern to him. He lived to succeed, and he didn’t need people for that --- just his own raw abilities.

But maybe, just maybe, he now wishes he had been more like other people. Maybe he wishes he had been closer to his son. Maybe he wishes his son had had more influence on him. They did not share outlooks, attitudes or ambitions. The father was often away, striving for bigger and better things, not wanting to be bound by the ties of family life.

The cancer now invading his body --- and possibly the five-year-old child and her own impending death --- has made him rethink his life. What if? So here he is now, explaining it all to his sleeping son, who will awaken on Christmas Day and probably not understand why he has taken the life that he has. And he has to ask himself: Was it worth it?

This (dimensionally) tiny book comes packed with huge emotion. Readers will speed through it in under two hours, then spend the rest of the day --- at least --- pondering the astonishing ideas it unleashes. THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME quite literally will grab you from the start and set you off in a host of incredible directions. Fredrik Backman has a wonderful ability to reach deep inside his readers, pull out feelings they didn’t know they had, and set their minds spinning. What a blockbuster!

Reviewed by Kate Ayers

Fredrik Backman’s forte is to wow us with books that, at first, don’t sound overly sensitive, but when all is said and done, their meaning touches the core of our being. What is really important in life is the central idea of this novel. Although the book starts with these words, “Hi. It’s your dad. You’ll be waking up soon, it’s Christmas Eve morning in Helsingborg, and I’ve killed a person,” the story is about sacrifice.

The father who is writing the words above is a successful businessman who has neglected and alienated his wife and son because he gave more importance to wealth, fame, and success. His son, however, has made different choices and has become a kind person, the father’s opposite.

The father who is in his forties has been struck with cancer and while he is in the hospital, a little girl who has cancer in the next room befriends him. The man tells of his time in the hospital and his experiences, observations, and insights, at the same time hinting at something supernatural. Also, he writes that he feels he has failed his son.

To say more about his sacrifice would be giving away the plot.

The father’s words are stark at times but also full of introspection, while this book’s perspective is unique and poignant.

I can only add to this review by saying that if I didn't read it, I'd be missing something important, and if I were making up a curriculum for any upper-middle-school to college-level reading, this book would top the required reading list.

Fredrik Backman delivers a heartbreaking work of fiction just in time for the holidays. Never mind that I read it way after the holidays. It’s not so much a holiday story, though, even though it takes place on Christmas Eve, but rather, it’s a story about life and what someone is willing to give up for a chance at it.

Summary:

It’s Christmas Eve, and a father is leaving a note for his son. Only, not the sort of note you would expect around the holidays. It’s a confession, of sorts, because he’s taken someone’s life.

The man is dying. He knows that, but his son doesn’t, because they’re not particularly close. In fact, the man’s whole life has revolved around his career, and darn it, he’s built a good one. His rich and famous, with all the worldly assets anyone could want. That was easy, because he was good at it. What he wasn’t very good at was parenting, and he knows he’s failed his son. But that’s just who he is. Who could expect more than that?

Now, the man’s faced with a decision. A few rooms down from him, there’s a little girl dying of cancer, who spends her days dreaming with her mother about a future she’ll never have. The man can save her, but why should he? In the grand scheme of things, what does one little girl’s life really mean anyway?

The Good:

- Frederik Backman is an incredible storyteller. I’m not familiar with Backman’s other work and look forward to reading it shortly, but I have heard endless praise about his writing, which is why I gave it a go. Backman does not disappoint. Even in such a short story, there is an incredible amount of depth layered into the story. It’s thought-provoking and gut-wrenching and, worst of all, it makes you ask those big, important questions about your own life. The kind no one likes to wonder.

- The plot is just pure brilliance. It’s a feel-good story, for sure, but not the sort you’re probably thinking of. It’s not rainbows and sunshine, so if that’s what you’re expecting, move along. It’s real, and real life is gritty and ugly and often painted in shades of gray. The story starts at the ending and unfolds little by little, laying down the groundwork for the real ending. The scenes don’t always make sense at first in the microcosm, but when they finally tied into the big picture, everything clicked, and I felt like it fit together perfectly the way it was told. It’s like watching a flower bloom: it doesn’t look like much to start with, but it grows more impressive over time until it’s finally done, and then you can see its full beauty.

- I cried. A lot. Big ol’ ugly tears. Now, I’m not an overly sappy person. Sure, I have emotions (the pesky things that they are), and I realize when scenes are sad. But, I mean, I didn’t cry at any point while reading Harry Potter. I know. But man, this story pushes all the right buttons. The way it deals with death, especially the imminent death of a child, is heartwrenching, in a way that feels like it’s coming from someone who’s been there, sitting in a hospital room alone with a loved one, knowing only one of you will ever leave. The emotion was so visceral and poignant, and it was fantastic. Oh yes, it hurt, but in a good way. Because misery loves company, I forced my grandmother to read it so I didn’t have to cry alone, and she cried. And since she had no one else to force it on, she whacked me with her cane for making her cry. Because sometimes love hurts, too.

- The main character is deliciously mean. Not in a Scrooge sort of way. He didn’t just wake up one day and decide business is more important than family. He didn’t set out to be a bad person. He just is who he is. He knows his shortcomings, and he knows he’s failed in some things, even as he’s had major successes in others. He knows he’s not perfect. But he also knows that, realistically, he’s not going to change. He never was. But he isn’t heartless. He does love and care about others. He just doesn’t believe in happiness, and he doesn’t understand why people put so much importance in something that’s so idyllic and fleeting. As far as he’s concerned, nothing great was ever made because someone was happy; the greatest accomplishments come from obsession, and that’s what leads to building a lasting legacy. He’s not a character that I would just innately sympathize with at all, yet he did, slowly but surely, win my heart.

The Bad:

- It’s very, very short. 65 pages, actually, if you cut off the advertisements at the end, and many of those pages include illustrations. Calling this a book review, even, is pretty generous. I loved it, so I wanted more just because of that. Not that it felt incomplete, because it didn’t, but who wants to see a good thing end? However, I borrowed this from the library. If you’re going to buy it, I would just make sure you know what you’re getting for the money you’re spending. This took me maybe 20-ish minutes to read, so it goes pretty darn quick.

Overall:

Look, I know 2018 just started, but I’m already calling this as one of my favorite reads of 2018. I don’t see anything topping this. It’s just a short story, so I wouldn’t recommend anyone going in expecting some huge, dramatic, life-altering book. This won’t deliver. However, it did have a strong emotional impact, for me at least. Would I read it again? Heck yes. Actually, in all honesty, I’ll probably end up buying it, just so I can add it to my collection. So I liked it enough to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a 20-minute read. I’d say that pretty well sums up how I feel about it.

Fredrik Backman never disappoints, but he may pull at your heartstrings more than a little...

He begins the story in this way: "Does it make a difference if I killed a good person? A loved person? A valuable life? If it was a child?"

The novella features two cancer patients in hospital. A five-year old girl, and a grown man with an adult son.

The little girl is stoic in the way that only sweet, innocent children can be. The man faces his prognosis filled with reminiscences and regrets.

All his life he wanted to be a success. To make his mark upon the world - to leave a footprint behind. He has done that... but at what cost? He was never a real father to his son, spending next to no time with him and disappointing him time after time.

"Every parent will take five minutes in the car outside the house from time to time, just sitting there. Just breathing and gathering the strength to head back inside to all of their responsibilities. The suffocating expectation of being good, coping."

He notices a woman with a grey cardigan holding a folder with a black pencil. He knows who SHE is. He has seen her before. When his parents died, when his best friend died... Now, she hovers in the corridor of the hospital. Will she come for him next, or, will she come for the little girl?

The man makes a 'deal' with the woman. What is the deal he makes? You'll just have to read this charming story to find out...

This is a story about parenthood, about 'doing the right thing', about life and death, about love. Highly recommended!
Didactic fiction all wrapped up in a Christmas bow.

Next up on the holiday reading/listening list is The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman.

I really enjoy Backman's writing - his 'left of centre' characters and the situations he places them in.

In this novella, the lead character is a man who was driven all his life to succeed and excel at business. Where he failed was as a father. He narrates this tale, finally acknowledging his absence and shortcomings to his son. A chance meeting with a dying little girl gives him a chance at redemption. I'm not going to spoil things by telling you how that comes about. It's not quite what you would imagine at all.

"Hi. It's your dad. You'll be waking up soon, it's Christmas Eve morning in Helsingborg, and I've killed a person. That's not how fairy tales usually begin, I know. But I took a life. Does it make a difference if you know whose it was?"

Backman's writing always moves me. And he's able to do the same thing that he's done in his books as in this 'small' piece of work. I chose to listen to The Deal of a Lifetime. The reader was Santino Fontana. His voice is clear and he enunciates well. His voice suited the mental image I had of this businessman and his regrets. He provides believable voices for the other two characters in the book. He interprets the emotion of the story well. The Deal of a Lifetime was a short, sweet listen, perfect for this ruminative time of the year. The reader can't help but reflect upon their own life - what and who is important in your life? And what would you do to 'fix' things?

The title is clever - as you'll find out. Backman's introduction is just as poignant as the tale he tells.

The Deal of a Lifetime is a well crafted novella, but it should have been one part of a collection of stories. It is not strong enough to stand on its own, although it could have been a strong anchor for a larger novel.

The central character has a decision to make, choosing whether to sacrifice himself for the benefit of another. The ideas contained within this novella are really nothing new, though the author does a really good job of giving his own spin. I would recommend The Deal of a Lifetime to readers, with the understanding that the cost of the book is not worth it based on the amount of reading. Personally, I would recommend checking this novella out from your local library.

This book reminded me of A Christmas Carol. A man writes his son to tell him that he has taken a life. While in the hospital for cancer, he meets a little girl who also has cancer. She spends her days coloring a chair red because she knows it wants to be red. He tells her she shouldn't color on the furniture but she tells him that those who have cancer are allowed to color on the furniture. He soon finds himself bartering with the angel of death- a life for a life. It was a sweet story but very short. This is the fifth Fredrick Backman book I have read and I have enjoyed every one of them. Backman has a unique writing style that is very sweet and his stories always make me feel good. I didn't like this book as much as others I have read by him but this was still a sweet story that I would recommend to others. Obviously, if you are a fan of Fredrick Backman, you have to read this but I would recommend this to anyone that needs a feel good story.

This is the most beautiful heartbreaking story that I have ever read. A Christmas story reminiscent of “It’s a Wonderful Life”, yet goes further in the meaning of sacrificing a life in order to save a life.

To understand where this story begins and where the ultimate decisions and promises are made, you will have to read Fredrik Backman’s novella twice. The beginning feels as if you have jumped into the middle, but by the end, you will realize that it is a flowing circle and that you can easily start over and the story will come alive again and all the pieces of the puzzle will finally fit and it will all make sense in its own heartfelt way.

Once again Backman has woven a story that slowly and subtlety opens doors of understanding in our hearts. Here, a man (the story teller) realizes how deeply two different children have captured his heart, and how in very different ways that heart has been changed by them. The question is, does he have the chance to return the favor to either of the children? This powerful little fable may serve as a wake-up call for all of us busy, outcomes oriented grown-ups to maybe have a chance to refocus our priorities before we see a lady in a grey sweater.

“The only thing of value on Earth is time.” This novella was not at all what I expected, but I remain a fan of Frederik Backman for his ability to craft a story using allegorical life moments, combined with powerful expressions of hope and love. We are all negotiating our time on this earth. Some of us just realize it more deeply. 4 Stars. #novella #story #life #love #cancer #time #death #read #reading #writer @backmansk #mmd

I enjoyed this Christmas short story. It's about love, death and redemption. Two cancer patients in a hospital, one a young child, the other an older man. When the man has a chance to save the girl he reviews his life and thinks about his relationship with his son. Very short, very heartfelt, this is a quick read but I went back and reread it several times.

Love...Death...Forgiveness.

In THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME, a man looks back on his life....reflects on what he missed....what is truly important, and with the influence of a little girl decides to make a change.

Just a short novella, but by Fredrik Backman.....always worth my while!

I did enjoy this (very) short story, but actually sat down and read it in the book store in about 20 minutes. I have loved each of his books , but this is so short it's not really worth buying !!!! it is an interesting story though and would have been well-worth developing.

I ❤️ Fredrik Backman, but this novella reminded me of why I don't like short stories! This was waaaay too short. I kept looking for missed pages. The story, while sweet, was undeveloped. I wanted MORE! Please flesh this out into a full fledged book!!

96 pages...of a life filled with regret...for focusing on things that don’t really matter and dropping the balls of the ones that do. I enjoyed the message, but make sure you understand this is a novella before you spend almost $12 on this. Even $2.99 for the kindle edition is too much for something you can read in less than 45 minutes.

This is a short little novella packed full of insights about life and death. It's a short Christmas story told by a father to his son - but it's not a normal Christmas story. The father has been an absentee father and has just found out that he has cancer. He really isn't sure of what feelings his grown son even has about him because he had put his goals of wealth and success way ahead of the time he spent being a parent. When he has the chance to do something to help someone else, he first needs to find out how his son feels about him and whether his life had even been worth anything to his son and the world. This is the basis of his Christmas story.

This book made me cry and also caused me to question some decisions that I am making in my own life and try to do better with my priorities. It's a wonderful thought provoking story.