The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Picture source - Goodreads

READING LEVEL: Young adult - adult
PAPERBACK: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: Allen & Unwin

Summary:

This book was written by a Swedish author - Jonas Jonasson, it became so popular that it was translated from Swedish to English.
Basically, the book is about a 100 year old man called Allan Karlsson who decides he doesn't want to be at his own 100th birthday party, so, he climbs out of the retirement home window and makes his escape. The excitement really starts when he accidentally steals a suitcase of cash from a bunch of thugs.
The book alternates between his current escapades (which are numerous and involve, among other things, several deaths, an elephant, incompetent police, an almost-vet and a semi-retired thief) and his extremely picturesque past history (think European Forrest Gump but with a WHOLE lot more Vodka).

Review:

A librarian at my local library recommended this book to me and I'm glad she did because it was absolutely hilarious!
And how could it not be with such an awesome title!.
I liked the way that the author had alternated between Allan's current predicaments and events from his history.
Everyone thinks he's just this ordinary old man (who's only claim to fame is turning 100) but in reality, he has influenced some of the most momentous events of the twentieth century.
The writing style was really quirky and was both fun and easy to read.
I wish more books were like this one.

The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared was a thoroughly enjoyable book and even made me laugh out loud in some places.
I enjoyed it so much that I passed it on to my sister, who must be enjoying it too judging by the giggles issuing from behind the book every time I walk past her.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“I shall destroy capitalism! Do you hear! I shall destroy every single capitalist! And I shall start with you, you dog, if you don't help us with the bomb!'
Allan noted that the had managed to be both a rat and a dog in the course of a minute or so. And that Stalin was being rather inconsistent, because now he wanted to use Allan's services after all.
But Allan wasn't going to sit there and listen to this abuse any longer. He had come to Moscow to help them out, not to be shouted at. Stalin would have to manage on his own.
'I've been thinking,' said Allan.
'What,' said Stalin angrily.
'Why don't you shave off that moustache?'
With that the dinner was over, because the interpreter fainted.”  

"Allan may be old, but he is also one hell of a rascal and he damned well does exactly what he feels like."

"Boss had the idea of importing Swedish meatballs from the Philippines, cheap and by sea. With the right amount of formaldehyde the meatballs would stay fresh for three months if necessary, even at 100 degrees.
They would be so cheap that the partners wouldn't even have to label them as "Swedish" to sell them at a profit. "Danish" would suffice, thought the Boss, but his partner said no. In his opinion, formaldehyde was fine for embalming corpses, but not for giving eternal life to meatballs."