The Invoice, by Jonas Karlsson

REVIEW: This is an unusual, charming book that makes you think about your life and happiness in general.  At first I was not sure what to think about the book but I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen at the end.  As I read I realized it is an extremely thoughtful book dealing with a subject we hopefully experience every day but probably don’t stop to think about.  It is an easy, fast read and one that you will remember and ponder long after finishing.  The novel is a great selection for book clubs – I can hardly wait for the discussion with my group!  I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for this review. 

Characters

Narrator Sunita – girlfriend, moved to India for an arranged marriage Roger – friend World Resources Distribution (WRD) – headquarters in Sweden Maud Andersson – telephone operator Georg Various other supervisors Quantity of Experienced Happiness (EH)

 For discussion:

NOTE: Chapter numbers refer to the unedited proof copy.

1. Why do you think the author never told the reader the narrator’s name?
2. In chapter 9 the narrator compares his and his sister’s grieving for their parents.  Why does he feel suddenly guilty that he did not mourned enough?
3. This book explores the idea of being happy.  What thoughts did you have about the following:
1. Chapter 6 – what difference does being rich make in happiness?
2. Chapter 8 – the narrator reflects that he was, “…undeservedly happy with my tranquil existence here in my flat.”  Do we deserve to be happy or not?  Could you understand his feeling that he did not deserve the happiness he had?
3. Chapter 9 – some negative times are necessary to appreciate the happy times.
4. Chapter 11 – Georg told the narrator that high EH correlates with family wealth or motivation to work and have high earnings.  Do you agree?
5. Chapter 11 – When Maud was reviewing his file, she listed the “premiums” he had – “…welfare premium, whiteness premium, male premium…”    What other “premiums” do you think contribute to happiness?  To your happiness?
6. Chapter 20 – Maud told the narrator, “You see, we look at life as if it were a classically constructed play.  The one with the most whistles and bells isn’t necessarily the best.”    Do you agree?
7. Chapter 20 – “People are extremely unhappy.”   Do you agree?  Are many people putting on a false front?  
4. The narrator described a scene from the movie The Bridge to Maud, but after she watched it she had a completely different viewing experience and understanding of the scene.  How does that happen?
5. Roger’s bill was much less than the narrator’s even though he had more possessions.   Discuss their different perceptions of life.  Examine Roger’s reaction to his boat’s damage and improvement at the expense of others and how he still thought it was a negative experience.
6. Why wouldn’t the narrator help Roger with his appeal of his bill?  What do you think his motivations were?
7. When the narrator went back to this apartment after the first interview at EH headquarters, why was he suddenly so dissatisfied with his life? (Chapter 16)
8. What did you think about his sudden regret that he had done nothing with his life?  He said to Maud, “That’s the saddest thing of all.  I had every opportunity, but what the hell have I done?  Nothing. Nada. Not a damn thing.”  (Chapter 16) Was he justified in these thoughts?   Did the fact that he was so happy make a difference?
9. In Chapter 15 the narrator was missing his parents and wanted to call them to, “…have a bit of a moan, and they would have listened carefully with the phone between them, and they’d have comforted me and said everything would be all right.”  Can you relate both as a child and as a parent?
10. There were very few characters in this novel.  Discuss Maud in particular.  What did you think about her character and how her relationship with the narrator changed?
11. What new thoughts or insights did you gain from this book?   Would you recommend it to others?  Are there some people to whom you would NOT recommend the book?  Does it require a certain amount of self-awareness or depth of thought to appreciate this book?

*****

First Semester Success: Learning Strategies and Motivation for Your First Semester (or Any Semester) of College, by Dr. Arden B. Hamer, is available at amazon.com, wordassociation.com and barnesandnoble.com.  Click on the upper right link.