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

The story literally begins with a 100-year-old man climbing out of his window and disappearing into the night. But this is no ordinary man. No, this is Allan Karlsson, a Swedish man who has lived a long and incredibly eventful life. With only a suitcase in hand, he heads to the local bus station, where, much like in Tom Sharpe’s Wilt, he inadvertently becomes involved in a series of absurd and unpredictable events with equally absurd and unpredictable characters.

Unlike the darker tones of Palahnuik or Amis, Jonas's humor is gentle and charming, making for a much lighter read.… show more.

A lot of books can make me cry, but not a lot of books make me laugh out loud, but this one did on multiple occasions. It’s a Forrest-Gump-esque novel about Alan, a hundred-year-old man, who decides a birthday party with the mayor is not for him and escapes the nursing home in his slippers only to end up on what's only the latest ridiculous adventure in his very long life.

The humor is dry, the characters are brilliantly inept, and the storyline is totally outrageous but somehow utterly believable at the same time. It’s one of the funniest books… show more.

I loved this hilariously funny book. The centenarian exited his nursing home an hour before his birthday party, which was to be attended by all the local dignitaries. Soon, he finds himself on a pedal-driven rail cart with a new friend, a dead body, and a large amount of money, while being pursued by both the police and a group of criminals.

Though his present-day adventures are great fun, much of the book is a glorious romp through the history of the 20th century. Through numerous humorous coincidences earlier in life, the old man had met and been of service… show more.

I never thought that I would find a person whose life I would trade mine for but the main character is definitely one that I would trade because his life was 10 times more interesting, more fascinating, more thrilling and definitely more eventful than mine.

He was a munitions expert who intertwined with the likes of Franco, Truman and even Stalin and Chairman Mao. I found this book to be a great cure for the blues, especially for anyone who might feel bad about growing old! It also keeps you amused almost non stop and that is something few books… show more.

We read The Girl Who Saved the King of Sweden for my book club, but even more outlandish is The Hundred-Year Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared.

I wish I had written it! It is completely far-fetched and reads like a wacky Ian Fleming novel. If you are into quirky and wacky, you will love this novel. To avoid his hundredth birthday party, Allen Karlsson climbs out of the window of a nursing home and walks to the bus station. There, he takes care of a suitcase for a fellow passenger, which turns out to be… show more.