Sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, Allan Karlsson is waiting for a party he doesn't want to begin. His one-hundredth birthday party to be precise. The Mayor will be there. The press will be there. But, as it turns out, Allan will not . . .
Escaping (in his slippers) through his bedroom window, into the flowerbed, Allan makes his getaway. And so begins his picaresque and unlikely journey involving a suitcase full of cash, a few thugs, a very friendly hot-dog stand operator, a few deaths, an elephant and incompetent police. As his escapades unfold, Allan's earlier life is revealed. A life in which - remarkably - he played a key role behind the scenes in some of the momentous events of the twentieth century.
The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a charming, warm and funny novel, beautifully woven with history and politics.
completely contrived and utterly delightful.
The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared is the first novel by Swedish journalist, media consultant, television producer and author, Jonas Jonasson. On the spur of the moment, Allan Karlsson resolves to skip his hundredth birthday party at the Malmkoping Old Folks’ Home, despite the presence of the Mayor and a cake. At the bus station, he decides to head out of town, but just before the bus arrives, he finds himself looking after a large grey suitcase on wheels. As Allan travels further and further from the Old Folks’ Home, he is gradually accumulates a band of well-intentioned followers (a hot-dog seller, red-headed divorcee, petty thief in his late sixties, hot-dog seller’s estranged half-brother, Alsatian dog and circus elephant) as well as some pursuers intent on getting a story, on malice or on prosecution (the members of a criminal gang, the police, a prosecutor and journalists). And as they travel, Allen, a seemingly unassuming man with a patent enthusiasm for explosives, relates the story of his long and interesting life, a life that involves worldwide travel, that includes encounters with various heads of state and famous people and that sees Allen experimented on, incarcerated, involved in a momentous discovery and recruited for espionage. There are plenty of laughs and “aha” moments as Allen manages to get himself into and out of some hair-raising situations, always working with the philosophy that “things are what they are, and whatever will be, will be.” This novel has deservedly won international acclaim and is translated from the original Swedish by Rod Bradbury. It is a riotous romp through many of the significant events and people of the twentieth century that is highly reminiscent of Forrest Gump: completely contrived and utterly delightful.
Marianne, 13/10/2014
Escape with Allan
This internationally best-selling debut by Scandinavian phenomenon Jonas Jonasson whisks you off on a whirlwind adventure like no other. Follow Allan on a tour of the 20th Century, as throughout his life he encounters (and inadvertently causes) major world events through Europe, America, and parts of Asia. This fun, Forrest Gump-esque retrospect is expertly intertwined with Allan's current escapades, as he soon finds himself on the run from both a violent biker gang and the police. Definitely worth the read. Reviewed by 52mm.
QBD, 07/10/2014
The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
Allan Karlsson sits in his nursing home contemplating turning 100 years old. A party has been planned in his honour, but he has little interest in attending so he climbs out the window, in slippers and leaves. What follows is an epic black comedy adventure tale with a geriatric old man, a band of thugs, the incompetent local police force and even an elephant making an appearance. Interspersed with his current adventure we get flashbacks of Allan's crazy life and the many distinguished and important people he meets along the way including Chairman Mao and President Roosevelt. With similarities to Forrest Gump, The One Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is a feel good, hilarious novel for fans of every genre that I would recommend to anyone. As Reviewed by 22KT
Tuggerah, 15/07/2014
The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared
Allan Karlsson isn't much interested in his 100th birthday celebration in his nursing home, so he climbs out the window in his pyjamas and slippers and heads for the bus station. In no time at all, he has a suitcase full of money, several new friends, a chauffeur and an elephant. He is being chased by the stupid criminals and a laconic policeman. And...because this a Scandinavian book, a murder, just for good measure. Then we learn about who Allan really is. And he isn't your average hundred year old man. He leads us on a wild goose chase through twentieth century history good and bad, and has brushes with many famous and infamous historical figures. Harry S Truman, Madam Chiang Kai-Shek, Stalin, Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il as petulant teen general. Like Forrest Gump he is bumped from pillar to post and always comes up trumps. It is the kind of feel good story that actually makes you feel good... but with a light dusting of arsenic.
Guest, 21/05/2014
