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 Words, which 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!