The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
by Jonas Jonasson
translated by Rod Bradbury

I have to admit to a massive lack of time for reading for pleasure recently, as a student I have so many text books taking up shelf space it was a real luxury to pick up a book just for the fun of it. Not wanting to miss anything of the pleasure I began this journey in Waterstones. I have to say I can only praise the staff who recommend three books to me, two of which were in the buy one get one half price. This book is priced at £8.99 (and was included in the offer). Do shop around as I am sure it will be in other stores or on-line for less.

~~~ SPOILER ALERT ~~~
(I'm guessing that no matter how hard I try I'm going to let something slip so be warned)

As the title of the book may suggest this is about a 100 year old man - meet Alan Karlsson.

He basically feels the need to escape the dubious pleasure (in his mind) of his 100th birthday party, and to do this yep you guessed it he climbs out of his window. Which at 100 can take just a bit of time to accomplish. He seems to have had enough of the oppressive regime that the care home he lives in wants to impose (he's missing his vodka).

The book then follows him on his adventure as he makes a whole lot of new friends, and reacquaints himself with an old one.

The book is written with alternate chapters of the present time (2005), and moments of interest from Alan Karlsson's life. He's lived to be a hundred, and there have been a few. From a historical perspective it's a fascinating read it brings to life some moments in history with a truly comic twist.

I have to admit to being a bit sceptical when I saw the title of the book, but the sincere recommendation from the guy in the shop twisted my arm. After only a few short pages I could barely put it down. It's really well written and for me it looses nothing for having been translated (the comic moments still work).

The main character is lovable and just so very matter of fact he has had a very interesting life, and the book will make you laugh out loud at points. His capers do at points seem to be very far fetched (but also very understated), the concept of the same man being involved with so many of the key decisions in so many wars across Europe is crazy and yet for me they sparked an interest in the history behind the writing. Although for the writer the key elements of history were a useful tool, for Alan Karlsson they are almost scenery as he concentrates on the important things in life like getting sloshed with world leaders.

I feel the book is well researched (but I'm no historian), and this comes across in the important elements such as the politics that Alan almost refuses to listen to without a good 'greasing' of vodka.

Each time you are introduced to a new character Alan makes them fall in love with him, just as he will do to you the reader. This uncanny ability will get him out of many scrapes, and when his personality doesn't work the suitcase of cash he managed to accidentally steal in the hope of finding some shoes seems to grease the wheels of friendship.

A truly awesome book, I defy you not to laugh at points.

ISBN 978-1-84391-372-6