This book is described on the cover as ‘Arguably the biggest word-of-mouth literary sensation of the decade’. It has also been made into a film (which I haven’t seen). I was unaware of all of this. I just liked the title.
On his 100th birthday, Allan Karlsson decides he doesn’t want to attend his own party, so, still wearing his slippers, he climbs out of the window of the old people’s home and disappears. On a whim, he takes an irritating young man’s suitcase and catches the bus. Before he knows it, he is hanging out with criminals, there are several murders in his wake, an elephant and a whole lot of cash. The police are hot on their tails, but seem completely incapable of tracking down Karlsson, the money or the criminals.
Every other chapter goes back in time to Karlsson’s younger years, in which he drifted Forrest Gump-style through some major historical events around the world, working for Communist dictators and US presidents alike.
This is a book to make you chuckle. It is totally unbelievable, but very entertaining. However, even though I liked it, I didn’t LOVE it. I found some of the flashback chapters a bit boring and didn’t like the way they broke the story up. One friend told me she gave up reading those chapters altogether and enjoyed the book a lot more.
If you like a book that makes you laugh, and you have an interest in 20th century history, this is well worth a read.
February 13, 2015
I read the book a while back. I really enjoyed it until about halfway through when I just got fed up with all of the chance meetings with world leaders etc!
February 14, 2015
Thanks very much, I know exactly what you mean! It was a page-turner for me at first, but I started slowing down for that exact reason!
February 13, 2015
Do you know, I haven’t heard of this book at all!! It doesn’t sound like my cup of tea but my husband might like it.
February 14, 2015
To be honest, I hadn’t heard of it either! So much for being a word-of-mouth literary sensation! Generally, it’s just the sort of book I do enjoy and it did enjoy it, just got a bit bored with some of the historical bits.
February 13, 2015
This does sound like a very entertaining read. I bought it for hubby for Xmas but he hasn’t got to it…
February 14, 2015
It’s definitely an entertaining read! I would nick it off him and read it before he gets to it! 😉
February 15, 2015
i thought it was fun and entertaining. He’s got a style that i think you either like or not. Reminds me a lot of Louis de Bernieries the way he rambles around (books like Don Emanuel’s netherparts!) Next book (king of sweden) is good fun but the same style, so I wouldn’t bother if you’re not keen.