Narrated by: Steven Crossley
Length: 12 hrs
Release date: 09-11-12

Before I go anywhere, yes, there is a movie by the same name, but I was recommended this book by a Dutch friend/ former housemate of mine, who said it was a ‘must read’ and that I should read/ listen to the book first because it is very good, very funny, and as per normal, better than the movie.

Story
The 100 year old man who climbed out the window and disappeared, is…quite obviously about a 100 year old man that did just that.

His name is Allan Karlsson, a Swedish man who due to his up-beat outlook on life, dislike towards politics + a steadfast worker’s mind-set manages to flourish in the harshest of situations & events, and as such meets interesting people, learns different languages and skills + seems to influence the course of history along the way.

The story follows him as he decides he’s tired of his retirement home, decides to open the window, escape and see where else his life can take him, (also because he’s thirsty for a bit of vodka).

The story jumps between the present, where he effectively takes on a whim a suitcase full of cash from some gang member, and then goes off to meet a bunch of equally interesting people and Allan’s past where he has learnt multiple languages, been in prison at least twice, met many historical figures and effectively changed the course of history.

Recommendation
I would recommend this book for almost everyone.  In fact, I just gave this book to my grandma.

It’s truly the kind of story that anyone can enjoy.  The language used is not particularly harsh, the story is well-written and easy to follow, the narrator is excellent, and has a light-hearted vibe about it, and while there are some deaths through-out the book, its nothing too disgusting.

The way that the book interweaves the fiction of Allan in with the real life events of important events throughout history is very good.
You could almost take it as a history lesson, at least to stop and pause and find out about certain events throughout history.

The concept reminds me a bit like Forest Gump, however I actually never managed to get through that movie…because it was just too cringe worthy.
This story wasn’t cringe-worthy at all.

Anyway, I’ll be listening to this again with my grandma, and if she really can’t remember what’s going on… I’ll be watching the movie with her.