Title: The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning
Author: Hallgrímur Helgason
First published January 1, 2008
256 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781611091397 (ISBN10: 161109139X)
Rating: 3.31
Overview
Meet Tomislav Bokšić, a hitman with a perfect record of 66 successful hits for the Croatian mafia in New York. But when he accidentally kills the wrong person, he is forced to flee the country and leave his life behind.
His new destination? Reykjavík, Iceland, a place with no tradition for contract killing and no gun shops.
To avoid being caught, Tomislav disguises himself as an American televangelist named Father Friendly. Stranded on an island with no means of escape, Tomislav must confront his past and question his future.
The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning is a hilarious and heartwarming tale of self-discovery, destiny, and the battle between good and evil within us all.
About the Author
Hallgrímur Helgason is a multitalented artist from Iceland who has dabbled in various fields such as writing, painting, translating, cartooning, and essay writing. He has received formal education from the School of Visual Arts and Crafts in Reykjavík and the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich.
Some of his most notable works include 101 Reykjavík, which was adapted into a well-received movie, and Höfundur Íslands (Iceland’s Author), for which he won the Icelandic Literary Prize in 2001. He was also recognized for his novel Rokland (Stormland) and was nominated for the Icelandic Literary Prize in 2005, as well as the Nordic Council’s Literature Prize for 101 Reykjavík and Rokland.
Editoral Review
The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning by Hallgrmur Helgason is a unique and captivating work of fiction that is sure to delight readers who enjoy thrillers and dark comedies. First published on January 1, 2008, the book tells the story of an Icelandic hitman named Tomislav Boki who flees to New York City after a job gone wrong.
It is important to note that the book contains strong language and depicts violence and drug use. Helgason, who is a prominent Icelandic author, has a flair for dark humor and satire that is particularly evident in The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning.
The novel is written in a witty, irreverent tone that perfectly complements its absurd premise. The book is set in the aftermath of the Balkan Wars of the 1990s, and it explores themes of identity, displacement, and the nature of violence.
Helgason expertly weaves in historical and cultural references throughout the book, making it a fascinating read for anyone interested in the Balkan region. The main character, Tomislav Boki, is a complex and intriguing protagonist who is both likable and flawed.
He is a hitman with a conscience, which makes him stand out from the typical anti-hero archetype. Throughout the book, he struggles to come to terms with his past and find a way to start over in a new country.
His journey is both suspenseful and emotionally resonant, as he grapples with the consequences of his actions and tries to forge a new path for himself. The supporting characters in the book are also well-realized and add depth and complexity to the story.
From the colorful inhabitants of Tomislav’s Brooklyn apartment building to the NYPD detectives hot on his trail, each character is distinct and memorable. Helgason’s writing style is engaging and immersive, drawing the reader into Tomislav’s world with ease.
The pacing of the book is excellent, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader hooked. The plot structure is cleverly crafted, with surprising twists and turns that keep the story fresh and unpredictable.
Overall, The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning is a dazzling work of fiction that is sure to delight readers who appreciate dark humor, sharp writing, and compelling characters. It is a book that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, with themes that resonate long after the final page is turned.
While there are a few moments where the story feels slightly contrived, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent book. I highly recommend The Hitman’s Guide to Housecleaning to anyone who enjoys thrillers, dark comedies, or character-driven stories.
It is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat while also making you think about the complex issues it raises. I give it a score of 4.5/5, with the half-point deduction being for the occasional moments of implausibility.
But, overall, this is a book that deserves to be read and enjoyed by a wide audience.
