Play Book Tag discussion

The 100-year-old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson
Audible Audio read by Steven Crossley.
3.5***

From the book jacket: After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health, and one day, he turns 100. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn’t interested (and he’d like a bit more control over his alcohol consumption). So he decides to escape, embarking on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey.

My reactions:
Well, this was a fun romp of an adventure. Allan’s talent is going with the flow, something he’s perfected in a life full of unlikely meetings, and even less likely coincidences. He’s always been able to use his wits, and stay calm, no matter what he’s faced with, and – obviously – has survived quite well with this technique.

Allan and the people (and elephant) he picks up along the way, manage to have quite the adventure. But it hardly compares to Allan’s life story which is slowly revealed in flashback chapters interspersed throughout the book. He’s helped developed the atom bomb, been friends with world leaders, loved, laughed, and LIVED.

This book reminded me of Forest Gump (a book I haven’t read, though I’ve seen the movie). All in all it was an enjoyable parable that tickled my funny bone more than once.

Steven Crossley does a marvelous job of narrating the audiobook. He has a matter-of-fact delivery that eases the listener into the story and really helps with suspending disbelief (especially in some of the more outlandish escapades).


LINK to my review

Sounds like fun! Onto the TBR...