The international publishing sensation–over six million copies sold worldwide!
A reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert with a fondness for vodka) decides it’s not too late to start over . . .
After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health, … in good health, and in one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn’t interested (and he’d like a bit more control over his vodka consumption). So he decides to escape. He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant (not to mention a death by elephant).
It would be the adventure of a lifetime for anyone else, but Allan has a larger-than-life backstory: Not only has he witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, but he has actually played a key role in them. Starting out in munitions as a boy, he somehow finds himself involved in many of the key explosions of the twentieth century and travels the world, sharing meals and more with everyone from Stalin, Churchill, and Truman to Mao, Franco, and de Gaulle. Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared has charmed readers across the world.
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Quite a book. Unlike any I have ever read before. It just kept you hooked until the end of the story – except it was like an open ending & you knew there was more to come. Which there is a sequel. This novel, because of the main character later going back in time every so often, is like two separate stories – but the author pulls it off well as both are equally fascinating. A must check-it-out read.
What a fun read!
amazing.you have to read this book at least once
One must approach this book as one would the Three Stooges! It is slapstick at its finest. I found this gentleman a hoot!!! What a funny character. I loved this adventure
I met this book on a “blind date with a book” set up by my local indie bookstore. It’s the best blind date I’ve ever been on. The novel follows the adventures of, as you might guess, a centenarian who decides to blow off his old folks’ home just before his birthday party. He promptly runs into some unsavory elements, but given all he’s been through in his remarkable life (as we discover throughout the course of the novel), his misadventures early in the story are nothing more than par for the course.
I like lots of novels I read, but every now and again I come across a novel so clever and thoughtful I desperately wish I’d written it. This is one of those. You won’t be disappointed.
I am always searching for stories where the main character is a senior, and this book fit the bill. However, the story isn’t steeped in the challenges of age. The main character provides a vehicle for weaving a story of international historic events that the character was involved in, and it is quite engaging. The style is spare and easy to read, and the tone is not like American novels, where there is so much moral judgment. One gets the feeling that in Scandinavia, people are more accepting of reality but love satire. And let’s not forget the vodka. I enjoyed reading this book very much and hope you do, too.
I laughed out loud reading the antics and coincidental life experiences of the old man. Thoroughly entertaining and light hearted, even under circumstances that could otherwise have been grisly.
Great Read!
This is a book you will talk about for a long time. A must-read if you have a sense of humor, need a sense of humor, or wish you had a sense of humor! Need to learn a little history but find it boring? Here it is. Fact or fiction? You’ll find yourself wondering if this is a memoir or a wild dream. I enjoyed every page and you will too. Like reading a Norman Rockwell adventure without actual pictures. A very fun read.
Totally unrealistic. I didn’t like it at all.
This book was a delight to read.
I saw the film version before reading the book. The story revolves around the adventures of the 100 year old man – the main protagonist and a very unlikely anti-hero. Both film and book were entertaining and amusing but in the book, the episodes where the hero found himself in the company of famous historical characters and events seemed a little forced. This led me to believe the author might have previously viewed the Forest Gump movie (wherein Gump also finds himself in historic situations) and perhaps believed this device worthy of being incorporated in his own work – it worked better for Forest Gump. I believe my opinion is vindicated by the movie version axing most of the historic encounters, resulting in the film being faster paced, more cohesive and less complex.
Funny and entertaining.
Very enjoyable, a book to pass the time.
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is the story of, what else?, a 100-year-old man who climbs out the window – and hilarity ensues. Absolute, side-splitting hilarity. I have not laughed this yard since I read Owen Meany some 15 years ago.
Allan Karlsson climbs out of his window at an assisted living facility on the day of his 100th birthday with an eye toward escaping as far and as fast as he can. Unfortunately, he’s 100, not terribly nimble, and doesn’t have much cash. Fortunately, the bus station is quite close and he’s not picky about where he goes. When another passenger requests Allan to look after his suitcase, it sets in motion a series of (hilarious) events that unfolds for the rest of the book.
Jonas Jonasson weaves together the story of Allan’s present-day adventure with his many, many previous adventures: life as an explosives expert, experience on both sides of the Spanish Civil War, time in a gulag, and first-name familiarity with a host of world leaders from Harry Truman to Chairman Mao.
Although the fictional lives of the geriatric has become a genre unto itself (think Ove or Arthur or Hendrik), Jonasson has turned the genre on its head and, in doing so, created a masterpiece that will leave you clutching your sides and gasping for breath.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/03/the-100-year-old-man-who-climbed-out.html)
not at all what I expected and so much more than I anticipated. smiled all through the reading
A unique story that was laced with history. A fun easy read.
One of the most unique books I have read
Clever
Surprising, unique and entertaining. I highly recommend!