Title: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared Pdf
Author: Jonas Jonasson
Published Date: 2012-09-11
Page: 400
Desperate to avoid his 100th birthday party, Allan Karlsson climbs out the window of his room at the nursing home and heads to the nearest bus station, intending to travel as far as his pocket money will take him. But a spur-of-the-moment decision to steal a suitcase from a fellow passenger sends Allan on a strange and unforeseen journey involving, among other things, some nasty criminals, a very large pile of cash, and an elephant named Sonya. It’s just another chapter in a life full of adventures for Allan, who has become entangled in the major events of the twentieth century, including the Spanish Civil War and the Manhattan Project. As Allan’s colorful and complex history merges with his present-day escapades, readers will be treated to a new and charmingly funny version of world history and get to know a very youthful old man whose global influence knows no age limit. An international best-seller, this is an engaging tale of one man’s life lived to the fullest. --Carol Gladstein "[A] witty caper. ***1/2"--People"[A] silly and wonderful novel. [The scenes] will just keep readers amused almost non-stop, and that's a feat few writers achieve. A great cure for the blues, especially for anyone who might feel bad about growing older."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred"The anti Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. . . Jonasson's lighthearted novel shows the softer side of Sweden. . . . hilarious."--Marie Claire"Scandi-crime's signature darkness is here dispelled by Allan Karlsson, the eponymous centenarian, who with unlikely sprightliness hops out of the window of his old people's home one afternoon . . . Fast-moving and relentlessly sunny . . . Like Allan, the plot is pleasingly nimble and the book's endearing charm offers a happy alternative to the more familiar Nordic noir."--The Guardian"[A] laugh-out-loud debut . . . Historical figures like Mao's third wife, Vice President Truman, and Stalin appear, to great comic effect. Other characters-most notably Albert Einstein's hapless half-brother-are cleverly spun into the raucous yarn, and all help drive this gentle lampoon of procedurals and thrillers."--Publishers Weekly, Starred"A mordantly funny and loopily freewheeling debut novel about ageing disgracefully."--The Sunday Times"Eccentric, unusual and far-fetched in the best possible way."--The Bookseller"This quirky novel is a sly, satirical look back at international relations in the 20th century through the eyes of an old man who has seen it all."--Library Journal"Imaginative, laugh-out-loud . . . a brilliant satire on the foibles of mankind."--The Telegraph
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, 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.
THIS IS A HOOT and-a-half! Set in the quaint backcountry of Sweden, this totally delightful story begins with a centenarian who breaks out of his rest home. He comes upon a suitcase stuffed with money and meets up with characters good and bad, chased by both. As he becomes embroiled in events soon followed by the national press, this sighted "Mr. McGoo" is flat-out HILARIOUS, as are some of the country-bumpkins both chasing and abetting him, including one ally with a captured elephant. Yet all of this is very Swedish, down-home realistic, not slapstick.As we follow this narrative, interspersed are tales of the old man's spectacular accomplishments in earlier times when he had more of his faculties. He was always apolitical to a fault, highly generous, but very naive, which continually led him into dangerous situations. For example, he helped the Los Alamos physicists develop the atomic bomb but, ever helpful, did the same later for the USSR. These earlier scenes are as HILARIOUS as those in the present, including his squirrelly adventures in Spain, America, China, the Himalayas, Iran, Russia, North Korea, and France, where he personally met with their squirrelly leaders.However, if you wish to follow only the centenarian's current misadventures, you can just skip to the chapters in present time, as the chapters are labeled by year - but then you'd miss some of the best parts of this book.The book is perfectly written and edited. NO ONE SHOULD MISS OUT ON THIS STORY!You Must Read This Book! Extremely Creative and Well Done This by far one of the most unique books I have ever read. I had mentioned to a friend from Sweden that I enjoyed "A Man Named Ove," and he said if I liked that I should red this one. Well I am so happy I took his advice. (And although I loved the book, I didn't rate it a five since I truly reserve that rating for extraordinary. While this is awesome, it is not at the level of, say, Ken Follett's centuries' books -- until the final one.)Author Jonas Jonasson has cleverly created a story that starts with the birthday of a spunky 100-year old man living in an old-age home somewhere in Sweden (I did not internalize the names of the towns and cities). The town is preparing a publicity stunt celebration for him and he decides he doesn't want to attend (no alcohol will be served), so he climbs out his window (in his slippers) and seemingly disappears (thus the title).As the chapters progress,, we travel with him on his adventure -- as well as go back and forth through his life -- so we learn of the experiences and adventures he's survived through those 100 years. Hint: his amazing life surprisingly includes many continents, many historical leaders and events from countries around the world. Who would think that?Don't want to give away the story, but, as I have been suggesting to my friends these days: You must read this book ... you will be glad you did!Quirky, fun read! When I saw this book I knew I had to grab a copy as a gift for my brother in law's father who turned 100 last week. (Happy Birthday Zach! photo below!) When I noted it had sold 5 million copies and was being released as a movie, I skimmed it and decided it would be an interesting read. And it was. Sort of a "Forrest Gump" for seniors as some of the characters included his the review of his life and wanderings include Harry Truman, General Franco, Stalin, Mao Zedong and others and include descriptions of his assisting in the development of the atomic bomb while working as a janitor as Los Alamos. Some of the fictional characters are great - Einstein's dumber half brother, for example and the twists and turns of his life, though farfetched are interesting. All in all, a fun read. Take a copy to the beach!
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