An Irresistible Adventure of Ingenuity and Spirit from Jonas Jonasson

Jonas Jonasson returns with Algot, Anna Stina and the Water of Life, a feel-good adventure set in nineteenth-century Sweden. Follow Algot Olsson as he navigates loss, ambition, and the schemes of a greedy Count, armed only with a potato field and a homemade still. This novel is full of sharp humour, wonderfully absurd twists, and memorable characters, exploring themes of friendship, love, and ingenuity.

After the death of his father, caused by the cunning Count Bielkegren, Algot Olsson is left with little more than a potato field and a homemade liquor still. Resourceful and ambitious, Algot masters the lucrative art of distilling spirits. When his schnapps becomes a sensation, the Count's envy resurfaces, leading to sabotage attempts against Algot’s growing business. Algot finds crucial support in his friend Helmut, a Bavarian printer with a flexible relationship to the truth, and Helmut’s strong-willed daughter, Anna Stina. Together, they must use creativity and courage to outsmart the Count.

• A captivating adventure story set in nineteenth-century Sweden.
• Features sharp humour and wonderfully absurd twists characteristic of Jonas Jonasson.
• Explores themes of friendship, love, and ingenuity against the backdrop of entrepreneurial struggle.
• Includes the memorable characters Algot Olsson, Helmut, and Anna Stina.

• Author: Jonasson, Jonas
• Translator: Willson-Broyles, Rachel
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publication Date: July 2, 2026
• ISBN-13: 978-0008767297
• Dimensions: 129 x 28 x 198mm
• Weight: 260 g

Dive into this highly anticipated new adventure from Jonas Jonasson, perfect for fans of humorous and historical fiction.