THE DEAL OF A LIFETIME by Fredrik Backman

A deeply moving, beautifully illustrated novella from the beloved author of A Man Called Ove, this poignant story is a masterfully crafted fable about the value of a single human life. Written with Fredrik Backman’s signature blend of sharp wit, deep empathy, and emotional honesty, it asks us to reflect on what truly matters when our time begins to run out.

The story unfolds on a cold, quiet Christmas Eve as a wealthy, highly successful businessman sits down with his estranged adult son. Having not spoken for years, the father has a vital story to share before it is too late. He tells his son about a brave, spirited five-year-old girl lying in a nearby hospital bed. She is battling cancer—and she is smart enough to know her crayons won't cure her, but she keeps drawing because she sees how much comfort it brings the worried adults around her.

As the father speaks of this little girl, his narrative shifts into a deeply personal confession. He reflects on his immense professional triumphs, his devastating failures as a parent, his deep-seated regrets, and the cold reality of a life spent prioritizing ambition over love.

On this fateful winter night, the father is presented with a bizarre, supernatural opportunity: he can save the dying girl's life, but doing so requires the ultimate sacrifice. He must trade his own life—and every trace of his existence—for hers. Before he can close the deal of a lifetime, he is forced to look at his past through his son's eyes to find out if his life was truly worth anything at all.