Big in Sweden

Big in Sweden — Sally Franson

A warm, laugh‑out‑loud fish‑out‑of‑water novel about an American woman who joins a Swedish reality show to find family, confronts her assumptions, and discovers unexpected connections, romance, and belonging.

Key Features and Physical Specifications

• Author: Sally Franson
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320 pages
• Dimensions: 9 × 6 in (height × width)
• Binding: Hardcover
• Audience: Readers of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy, and stories about identity and cultural roots
• ISBN / SKU: 978-0-06-331274-6 ; SKU: LIT375

Product Details

Paulie Johansson, content with her life in America, impulsively auditions for Sverige och Mig, a Swedish reality show that reunites Swedish‑Americans with relatives back in Sweden. To her surprise, her drunken submission earns her a place among seven other contestants. Armed with a Polaroid, a battered copy of Pippi Longstocking, and an appetite for adventure, Paulie navigates increasingly absurd and challenging contests—rowboats in stormy weather, obstacle courses, and a pickled‑herring eating challenge—while under constant camera scrutiny. As the competition progresses she reevaluates her judgments about fellow Americans, reconnects with her heritage, and wrestles with evolving feelings for a charming Swedish cameraman. The story balances physical comedy and heartfelt moments, exploring themes of family, friendship, love, and self‑discovery.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Written with wit and an affectionate eye for cultural detail, the novel blends contemporary rom‑com pacing with character‑driven emotional truth. Franson’s storytelling pairs lighthearted scenarios and sharp dialogue with sincere reflection on identity, making this both an entertaining beach read and a tender exploration of what it means to belong.