KBear’s Comments (group member since Mar 10, 2025)

KBear’s comments from the Unity in Words group.

I, personally, did not care much for this book. While the premise was quirky and the story had its moments of charm, I often found myself shaking my head, wondering, “What were they thinking?” The novel takes a farcical, almost cartoonish approach to situations that, in reality, are quite serious—like death and violence—and it was hard for me to fully embrace that level of detachment.

One of the major issues I had was the way the characters—particularly the main one, Allan—responded to situations that should have been emotionally weighty. People die (sometimes quite horribly), and yet the characters seem to treat it all with a shrug and a joke. I understand that the book is meant to be satirical and absurdist, but for me, the tone came off as flippant in a way that made it difficult to connect or care about what was happening. It’s one thing to suspend disbelief for the sake of humor, but I felt like this book pushed that too far without giving me enough emotional grounding to stay invested.

The style of the author’s writing also didn’t work for me. Again, I recognize that this comes down to personal preference, but the narrative voice felt overly dry and detached, and I often found it hard to stay engaged. The constant jumping between timelines and the sheer number of historical references—while clever in concept—began to feel repetitive and cluttered. Rather than being entertained, I was often just waiting for the next scene to be over.

That said, I can see why others might enjoy this book. The story does have a certain whimsical charm, and if you enjoy absurdist humor and improbable situations, this might hit the mark. But for me, the lack of emotional realism and the writing style ultimately made it a frustrating read.

Allan Karlsson’s carefree attitude challenges traditional ideas about aging, responsibility, and purpose by showing that life doesn’t have to slow down or become rigid with age. At 100, instead of settling into routine, he escapes his birthday party and dives into an unpredictable adventure — proving it’s never too late to start something new.

His indifference to consequences and refusal to overthink things may be morally questionable at times, but it also reflects a kind of freedom. He embraces life as it comes, without searching for grand meaning or obsessing over control.

From Allan, we learn that embracing the unexpected — even later in life — can lead to surprising, meaningful experiences. Sometimes, living fully means letting go and simply seeing where the journey takes you.

I enjoyed this book - it was a "feel good".

I’d say, for me, currently, I related most to Tova. Her quiet strength, her routine-driven life, and her subtle but deep well of emotion felt very human. She's someone who has lived through pain but still finds a way to be kind and open to connection. I admired her resilience, and the way she slowly allows herself to hope and feel again was really moving. However, several years ago I probably would have related most to Cameron.

One of the things that I loved most is how the story shows that connection can come from the most unexpected places. The characters all start off isolated in their own ways, but through small acts of kindness and curiosity—especially the unique bond between Tova and Marcellus—they start to feel seen and understood. It’s a reminder that sometimes the people (or animals!) who help us the most aren’t the ones we expect, and that even the smallest connections can make a huge difference.