The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
Paperback Published on: 09/07/2015; Language: English, Swedish (Original language of a translated text)
Price: £10.99
Bookseller Reviews
View all
A charming, sweet and often hilarious black comedy.
Enter the world of Allan Karlsson - the 100 year old explosives expert who, during his rather extraordinary century, has met some of the most influential ... READ MORE
An absolutely hilarious novel!
I knew from the first chapter this would be good when the 100 year old man, Allan Karlson escapes his own 100th birthday party by climbing out the window a... READ MORE
fun read
i love how this book is written one chapter in the present, so where 100yr Allan goes in search of a nice botttle of vodka for his birthday, and the next c... READ MORE
Live life in the slow lane
** spoiler alert ** I admitted to anyone who enquired that I wasn't paying as much attention at first. I bought it as it was on a daily deal. And I left i... READ MORE
WBRG August 2012: Hilarious, Historical, Hi-Jinx!
This quirky novel proved to be a very popular choice this month. Some found it quite a challenge to get through and it certainly packs in the information i... READ MORE
Old Men Behaving Badly
When Allan Karlsson decides he doesn’t want to attend his own 100th birthday party he climbs out the window of the old peoples home and goes on the run- we... READ MORE
Everyone has an adventure!
Okay, so maybe not everyone has an adventure which lasts the duration of their life - all 100 years of it!
At essence, this book is, indeed, about a cent... READ MORE
A book for everyone to disappear into.
When I read the blurb of this book, I had a gut feeling that it was gouing to be great - and it didn't disappoint.
I fell in love with Allan's character in... READ MORE
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and D
I'd say this was one of the best books I've read this year, simply because it was such a pleasure to read. The distinct sense of humour running through it ... READ MORE
Brilliant, far fetched, funny & enjoyable
My favourite book so far this year! The characters are so likeable and the story becomes more absurd and unbelievable as you get through but you can't wait... READ MORE
Truly Enjoyable
A darkly funny feel good read. Allan Karllson's is possibly one of the most interesting and likable characters i have read in a long time. His most interes... READ MORE
Black comedy genius.
Jonas Jonasson introduces us to Allan, a centenarian no less, who has decided he does not wish to attend his hundredth birthday party at the nursing home i... READ MORE
Black comedy genius!
Jonas Jonasson introduces us to Allan, a centenarian no less, who has decided he does not wish to attend his hundredth birthday party at the nursing home i... READ MORE
Unexpected Friendships, Unintended Destruction
An absolute joy from start to finish. The escapades of Allan Karlsson belong in a Monty Python movie. He may be currently celebrating his 100th birthday bu... READ MORE
Synopsis
'Imaginative, laugh-out-loud... a brilliant satire on the foibles of mankind' - The Daily Telegraph
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 criminals, several murders, a suitcase full of cash, 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.
Translated by Roy Bradbury.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
- ISBN: 9780349141800
- Number of pages: 400
- Dimensions: 130 x 199 x 27 mm
- Weight: 310g
- Languages: English, Swedish (Original language of a translated text)
Customer Reviews
View allA hilarious read
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared is a cracker of a read - from cover to cover. Despite the far-fetched nature of the ... READ MORE
20th Century History in a nutshell.
Quirky, funny, a page turner, completely impossible but almost plausible and very clever. I loved this book.
Read it, it will cheer your day.
Epic
the writer has told a smooth and hilarious journey of a 100 year old man who have regard living itself as priority other than desire and stuff. the charact... READ MORE
German, Crazy and Fantastic
Wow, I really loved this. Although at first it seemed difficult to get my head around how to pronounce the places and names (an international bestseller, t... READ MORE
Outstanding read
This book was recommended to me by a friend many months ago. I pre-ordered it in English, and have since recommended it to a number of people. It is a thor... READ MORE
Awesome!
This book was so good! Great mix of humour and history! Loved it!
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and D
Best book I have read this year!
I think Allan may be one of my favourite characters in literature! As fantastical as his life may be I think it helps you to remember that old people are n... READ MORE
i laughed...
When I saw the cover of this book my first thought was YEUK, not going to like this. I was wrong. This was a funny account of one mans desire not to endure... READ MORE
A Swedish crime comedy
100-year-old Allen Karlsson decides he doesn't want to stay in the care home where he lives in Sweden, so on his birthday he climbs out of the window and d... READ MORE
Hilarious
Whoever said Scandinavians haven't much of a sense of humour never met Jonas Jonasson! This is a laugh out loud book, highly entertaining, with a wry view ... READ MORE
Eccentrically Scandinavian
I absolutely loved this book despite it being nothing like what I was expecting. Filled with eccentric characters with shady pasts, this is a classic adven... READ MORE
Very funny
Cleverly written and well thought out, Jonasson creates a ridiculous but entertaining story. There's something of a Forrest Gump-like serendipity to the bo... READ MORE
Just brilliant!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about the life and adventures of Alan Karlsson, starting with him climbing out of his window on his 100th birthday and embar... READ MORE
Very Amusing!
As you would expect, there would have been plenty of events and adventures in the life of any centenarian. But Allan Karlsson is exceptional by any standar... READ MORE
Very Clever and Very Enjoyable
This is such a cleverly written story and very funny too. It is similar to Forrest Gump, in that the main character's life story involves him in some of th... READ MORE
Fabulous Read
I can not recommend this book enough. Allan Karlsson is one of the best characters I have ever read. I was sad when I got to the end because I wanted more.... READ MORE
Hilarious book- a breath of fresh air!
What a wonderful book! The title draws you in. The dark humour is wonderful throughout the book and the introduction of Sonya the elephant and the bus wond... READ MORE
AMAZING
Anyone and everyone should read this incredibly written book
Buy it! Read it! Love it! Read it again!
The problem is, its all just so logical. I mean, it couldn't possibly happen, could it? But it does, and of course its fiction, but it is just so logical, ... READ MORE
The title made me buy this!
Jonasson's sense of humour is right up my street. The story is crazy but such fun. Maybe you need to know your history but I'm old enough to remember the c... READ MORE
Really liked this book
This is a good story about, as a the title suggests, a hundred year old man (Alan), who climbs out of his window and disappears. He embarks on an 'adventur... READ MORE
brilliant!
What an unusual story! It's heartwarming and laugh out loud funny. A must read!
Something Different
I read this with the intention to broaden my range, and I am so glad this is the first book I decided to lead with.
Very funny, and a great story-line. I'd... READ MORE
Promising start
I thoroughly enjoyed this for the first few chapters. I found it funny and interesting, certainly unique. But then for me personally it all started to go a... READ MORE
Disappointing
Glad I only paid 20p to download this. Started off quite well but quickly became repetitive, tedious and dull. Hugely disappointing. One of the few books I... READ MORE
Can't stop talking about this book!
When I read the title and synopsis of this book I had very high hopes for it and it certainly did not disappoint. I enjoyed it from the first chapter. The ... READ MORE
The title came first
Apparently the author thought about the title before he thought about the plot!
I thought it was entertaining, but had no substance and so many of the situ... READ MORE
never too old to have an adventure
An excellent book that reads smoothly unlike a lot of other translated novels. The books has lots of interesting characters that you grow to care about and... READ MORE
Just brilliant
Without a doubt the best book I've ever read. It somehow manages to put a hilarious satirical slant on some of the most divisive people in history and stil... READ MORE
The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and D
Absolutely brilliant!!
One of my favourites books by far!! Following the adventure of a hundred year old man in Sweden through a series of unimaginable coincidences and events, w... READ MORE
A farcical but charming story!
Allan Karlsson, having escaped the care home on his 100th birthday, embarks on a highly unlikely & farcically comic adventure through Sweden. Along the way... READ MORE
Road trip with a difference
Allan Karlsson has made up his mind, he does not want to attend the 100th birthday party that is about to be held in his honour. He makes good his escape o... READ MORE
very good!
i am 14 years old and i quite enjoyed this book. my overall rating would be 4 out of 5 because it is very good and i liked how it switched back to his youn... READ MORE
Best book I have read in a few years
I was given this book for my Birthday. I read the back cover and was excited. The book didn't disappoint. In fact it was pure joy. I read avidly as I spend... READ MORE
A one hundred year old adventure
This is the fantastical history of Allan, a 100 year old adventurer and protagonist of the tale. The novel switches between his incredible life story and h... READ MORE
Funny and life affirming
I don't normally read satirical fiction but this was given as a gift and I really enjoyed it. A merry band of misfits beguile each other, the authorities ... READ MORE
Hilarious
This book is like nothing else I've ever read. It defies description. You will have to read it for yourself to find out why on his hundredth birthday he cl... READ MORE
Delightful
For all who read to escape the pressures of life and relax - this book is perfect. It is pure escapism. It is mad fantasy yet contains a note of melancholy... READ MORE
Incredible!!!
This book is just unbelievable - at first you are a bit confused as what is going to happen but Jonasson creates such a twisted story line jumping back and... READ MORE
This is a great feel good book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The humorous tales of an old man to the association with dictators from his past seemed so absurd but... READ MORE
A great holiday read
Much fun, thoroughly recommend this humorous book.
Old? Who's old?
A fairy story for adults which I found it difficult to put down. One of the most enjoyable reads of the year.
Forrest Gump meets Harold Fry, with a twist!
I've literally just finished this novel and am still giggling! From the very first page to the last it is more often than not 'laugh out loud funny,' and w... READ MORE
Light heaerted read
This is pure escapism and a little far fetched but I enjoyed it as infinitely better than many of the books I've read recently. Think a 100 year old James ... READ MORE
An absolute rotter!!!
It began ok, but steadily got worse and worse. Maybe it's not to my taste, but I feel that a lot of other readers might also give up by page 89 - as I did!... READ MORE
Funny and Easy Read
lovely story telling and a bit of dark humor. One will definitely enjoy it on the light side.
Disappointing
Well I feel a bit bah humbug but sadly I really didn’t enjoy this book at all. I read it all but almost through gritted teeth really . I enjoyed the begi... READ MORE