Book Review, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

I was looking for a new book and in the mood for European sensibility. You know how non-American made movies feel different? How they contain a different sense of humor? How they have global references? How they feel more tongue-in-cheek? Like that.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson definitely fit the bill but with a caveat–it reminded me of the iconic American movie starring Tom Hanks Forrest Gump. Like Gump, Allan Karlsson, the main character in The 100-Year-Old Man, not only finds himself in the company of presidents, premiers, dignitaries, criminals and an elephant, he influences history and experiences life with an eternally accepting and positive outlook on life. I found the story humorous, outlandish and interesting.

You know what I found out? Swedish TV, film and commercials director, writer, producer and actor Felix Herngren directedThe 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared, a 2013 movie based on the book.

Have you read the 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out a Window and Disappeared? What did you think?

Desperate to avoid his 100th birthday party, Allan Karlsson climbs out the window of his room at the nursing home and heads to the nearest bus station, intending to travel as far as his pocket money will take him.

But a spur-of-the-moment decision to steal a suitcase from a fellow passenger sends Allan on a strange and unforeseen journey involving, among other things, some nasty criminals, a very large pile of cash, and an elephant named Sonya.

It’s just another chapter in a life full of adventures for Allan, who has become entangled in the major events of the twentieth century, including the Spanish Civil War and the Manhattan Project. As Allan’s colorful and complex history merges with his present-day escapades, readers will be treated to a new and charmingly funny version of world history and get to know a very youthful old man whose global influence knows no age limit. An international best-seller, this is an engaging tale of one man’s life lived to the fullest.

Amazon, Carol Gladstein

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

“People could behave how they liked, but Allan considered that in general it was quite unnecessary to be grumpy if you had the chance not to.” 

“Allan admitted that the difference between madness and genius was subtle, and that he couldn’t with certainty say which it was in this case, but that he had his suspicions.” 

“Allan interrupted the two brothers by saying that he had been out and about in the world and if there was one thing he had learned it was that the very biggest and apparently most impossible conflicts on earth were based on the dialogue: “You are stupid, no, it’s you who are stupid, no, it’s you who are stupid.” The solution, said Allan, was often to down a bottle of vodka together and then look ahead.”