It's a Deal !

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 THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME 

 A Short Story by Fredrik Backman

I just chose the book because it was less than 100 pages. I wanted to gain the momentum of reading and the satisfaction of finishing it. The Deal of a lifetime, a catchy curious caption.

Though fictional, it provoked a hidden thought in my mind. It is a short story. I feel it is not even a complete story. It is rather a situation that makes you think about the purpose of life. What defines your happiness? Is it a success? Well, then, what is success? Is it making money? Name and fame? Leading healthy life? Or being happy in life? Everything is interconnected, if we need one we might have to lose the other. Ultimately, it is our choice. 

A successful businessman, a father who valued his career, and development more than his family, is now alone in the hospital. Regretting not being a good father and kind human being. Given a chance to make the deal of a lifetime - his existence in exchange for the life of an unknown little girl. 

A line from this book says - " You won't die, You'll be erased...". What a concept!! Will the protagonist agree to get erased!? His hard work, his sacrifices, his success, his fame, literally everything about him will be erased as if they never existed. This kept me on to read the book to know his decision for the deal of a lifetime. 

Even after death, we will be remembered. Sometimes sacrifice contains a pinch of selfishness. You are sacrificing something or someone for someone or something. But when erased, you don't even exist. Which will be the unsung sacrifice. 

My Favorite lines from the book:

  • You won't die, You'll be erased.
  • Things only have a price, based on expectation, and I do business with that.
  • The only thing of value on Earth is time.

All I can say is this book is Food for thought.

- Priya Karjigi

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