The Invoice

A little book you can read in an evening, “The Invoice” is charming and curious. Comparisons to Kafka are fitting, as our hero is rolled into an undertaking with little control over how to get out of it. The W.R.D. is in the process of a global redistribution of wealth, and every person is evaluated individually, to pay or receive their fair share. The exact methods are cryptic but reportedly very accurate. “Experienced happiness” is one metric brought up, and this is not a reflection of money or possessions, but experiences themselves. Our man, then, who makes the most of every situation and is content with his life, is invoiced for more than he could ever afford. Calling the number on a form, he talks with Maud, who after repeated calls becomes a lifeline in effect. The language author Jonas Karlsson employs starts off very simple, but as the story moves along, both the plot and the narration become more complex. A recommendation: as this book is set in the heat of summer, read then if possible, though at other times this will still feel good.

Note: I received a free copy of this title through BloggingForBooks in exchange for an honest review.