Wednesday 5 March 2014

The adventures of Allan Karlsson

Allan Karlsson has a thought. He is sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, waiting for his party to begin. It is a party he never wanted anyway, his own 100 year's birthday party. The local press will be there, politicians will be there, and there will be a big cake. But Allan does not want to go, and he decides to run away. With some effort ( after all, he is a hundred years old), he slowly climbs out of his window, into a flower bed ( in his slippers) and makes his getaway.

And this is how my chosen book starts out. In The Hundred - Year - Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson we follow the escapades of Allan Karlsson. We travel with him for a month on his run-away adventures throughout Sweden, and believe me: it is anything but boring. His journey involves a suitcase full of money, some murders and a bit of romance, and he is chased by both criminals and the police.

Parallel to the present story, Allan's life-story unfolds, and that takes us on a journey through the 1900`. Of course it turns out that our Mr Allan was involved in many of the key events, often as a participant behind the scene. But also in some unbelievable moments like having dinner with the US president Harry S. Truman, hitchhiking with Winston Churchill, walking the Himalayas on foot and traveling on a riverboat with the wife of Mao.

The book is written in a very humorous way, and it is easy to follow. I feel I am right there with Allan all the way, and yet as a reader you are challenged ( this is just too crazy!). I also enjoy how we recapitulate the historic events of the previous century, but of course in this book it is done in a completely different way ( hey, we are having dinner with Truman!) It becomes very personal, and the angle is very different from what I am used to.

I would describe it as being a warm and really funny book. A genuine feel-good book. Because just how cool is it - to join a hundred year old who escapes from an old people's home? Its hilarious, and just the idea makes you want to cheer for Allan. Go, Allan, go! And as I mentioned - it has a bit of romance. In this book you will meet the 85 year old lady who gets a computer, meets The Internet for the first time, and of course she starts to blog!

What I love is that this book leaves you with the feeling of -  it is never too late! Whatever you want to do with your life: do it! And do it now! Seize the moment - just like Allan:-)



About: 
Title: The Hundred - Year - Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared 
Author: Jonas Jonasson
Issued: 2009, Sweden. Translated to 30 languages since then. 

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I am participating in a fun festival of words this week, and you can too:-) This post is written for The Write Tribe Festival Of Wordswhich goes on from 2-8.March 

Today, Day 4, our topic was: Book review. You can read more about the festival, and enjoy some of the other entries on the website. I am sure there will be a lot of tips on good-reads today: Day 4, 5. March: Book review. 

HAPPY READING! 


34 comments:

  1. I'm intrigued! Great review. Now I have something new to put in my TBR pile. Absolutely what I needed. ;)

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    1. Thank you so much:-) I hope you will like it

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  2. Interesting! I am sure a 100 year old's life seems like more fun than mine, right now :P Anyway, a nice round up of the book. Thanks!

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    1. Ha ha - Thank you for your kind words, and hope you will like it:-)

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  3. Yep I've read this one...it was interesting. I think the title grabbed me. However at some points I felt it was a bit too far-fetched...

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    1. Yes, it is pretty crazy...:-) Thanks for following. All the best:-)

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  4. wow.. this really has got my interest. I so want a book like this... a feel good book and a "its never too late" concept :)
    Thanks for bringing it to my attention

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    1. Thanks to you Roshan for your kind words. I hope you will like it:-)

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  5. Allan sounds like quite the adventurer! You make him sound so good! Have to read this one.

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    1. Thank you so much.. yes, he is quite an adventurous guy... Hope you will like it:-) Best

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  6. Γεια σου αγαπημένη μου Eli
    Πολύ ενδιαφέρον βιβλίο!!!
    Το ότι ηλικιωμένοι συμμετέχουν στην ενεργό ζωή, είναι παρήγορο!
    Σου στέλνω μια αγκαλιά και πολλά φιλιά

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    1. Ελα, αγαπημενη μου Μαγδα. Χαιρουμαι πολυ για τα λογια σου. Ελπιζω να σ'αρεσει το βιβλιο. Πολλα φιλακια πισω σε σενα! ΧΧ

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  7. Wow!! I am now very keen to read the adventures of Allan. 'A warm and really funny book' is certainly my kind of book! Thanks for a fab review, Eli! Will certainly check this one :)

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    1. Thank you dear Shilpa for your very kind words. I do hope you will like it:-)

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  8. Fab review this one was Eli. Can't wait to see if its available near me!

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    1. Thank you so much:-) Hope you can find it, and that you'll enjoy it. Best

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  9. am adding thi supto goodreads .. will read it soon

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  10. This wonderful review of yours makes me wanna read it ....will do sometime soon! :)

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    1. Thank you so much Nikhil! Happy to see you here again, and I do hope you will enjoy the book:-) All the best

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  11. This story sounds so intriguing! Added to my "I hope it comes out on Kindle" list ... and if it doesn't, it will be a *real* book I order. :)

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    1. I hope you will find it, dear Cindi and of course hope that you will like it! Hope all is well:-) Regards to Bergen. Big hugs:-)

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  12. I haven't heard about this book also! But yes I will now be searching for it in bookstores.

    Richa

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    1. I do hope you will like it Richa:-) Thanks for following:-)

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  13. A spunky old lady! Now how cool is that!

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    1. Ha ha :-) Thanks for following Michelle:-)

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  14. I am going to look for a kindle book asap. Sure seems like a fun read. And your review is making us want to pick the book up right away. :)

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    1. Thanks! I sure hope you will like it:-)

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  15. Thank you for the great review!! Looks very interesting! :)

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  16. Allan had quite a fun-filled adventure and enjoyed reading ur review:)

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    1. Yes, he really did... Happy you enjoyed it, thank you so much:-)

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