Little, Brown Book Group The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Hilarious, strange and over the top, 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared' is superb. The book follows the riveting adventures of the 100 Year Old Man (Alan), Including a resourceful Hot Dog Vendor, a petty thief, a gang and an elephant. What makes this story so engaging is the bizarre, funny and down right ridiculous plot, from dead bodies to 80 million swedish crowns. This book also follows Alan's life prior to escaping from the Old Folks Home, describing his coincidental importance in the 20th century, from saving General Franco's life to escaping a Vladivostok camp with Einsteins unintelligent half brother after insulting Josef Stalin. This book is really about adventure, how one is never too old to have one and the Value of life. It is well translated and is fluent and exciting in terms of writing style. This book is a must read!

The Scots have a wonderfully dry sense of humour and so do the Scandies. Often dark, it seems the further North you go, the laugh becomes a wry smile, diminishing to a half raised eyebrow and a licked lip. This book made me chuckle from time to time but I would not say it made me Lol. However, relying on it as a decongestant is not really the point. It is witty and plotted like a chess game and it hangs together like a work of genius. There are two stories and these are allocated to alternate chapters. The first is in the present and the second is the history of the hundred year old man from his youth. Some may find this chopping and changing irritating, but for me it serves to take a breather between the present day narrative which is an absolute page-turner. I must say no more lest it be spoiled. It's a treat!

I have fallen in love with Swedish writers after reading The Hundred year old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. This is the third book I am reading by a Swedish writer; the first two being - The Salander Series by Steig Larsson and A Man called Ove by Fredrick Backman.This particular book is hilarious from the word go. The 100 year old man, Allan Karlsson, who believes - what happens happens; what will happen will happen - lives a serendiptous life with no specific purpose or ambition. Things just happen to him and he is ok with it provided he gets Vodka and food whenever he needs. He believes, teetollars are a threat to the world. He don't like following rules so the disappearance from the old age home on his 100th birthday. He don't spend time thinking on things he need to do. He blows up his house( twice) literally and travels all around the world without any proper documentation. He spends 15 years on vacation on the money of world's top leaders. His forte is blowing up things. Yes, he is an explosive expert and that makes him favourite to many top world leaders. He does random things like just jumping out of the old age home window and vanish. Not just that. His expedition is full of adventures that he never planned - a random theft on a whim, two murders, one half murder.A hilarious story that will make you fall in love with the protagonist. You may also end up wishing for a life similar to his. I did. I can read this one again. A happy, positive and fun read. A movie has been made out of this book in 2014. Curious to watch it.😊Happy reading!

It's Allan Karlsson's 100th birthday. His care home is putting on a party but Allan isn't really in a party mood so he takes his nearest escape route; the window. This book isn't just about a grumpy old man who runs away from his care home. He gets the into all sorts of trouble after escaping but the real story for me was everything leading up to the escape. It's a lifetime of experience, of wars, travel and many friends along the way.Jonas Jonasson has a wonderful way of writing. He takes you on a quirky and hilarious journey through various countries during the major events of the 20th century. Allan doesn't intend to be at the centre of it all, but somehow he stumbles across world leaders and major historical figures on his journey around the world. This isn't a book to take too seriously, but a lovely introduction to a completely unbelievable one hundred year old man and the events he has experienced.

"You should read this book" he said. So I ordered it from Amazon. Wasn't sure when I saw the title and cover. BUT!! This is one of the best, the funniest and well written books I have read! I have read a few over the years! It is the adventures of an one-hundred year old man who doesn't want to partake in the Nursing Home party arrangements for his birthday so clambers out of his window to escape - and if you want to know what happens next get the book! I highly recommend it.