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The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

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The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

By: Jonas Jonasson
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
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Sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, Allan Karlsson is waiting for a party he doesn't want to begin: his 100th birthday party. Escaping through his bedroom window, into the flowerbed, Allan makes his getaway. And so begins his picaresque and unlikely journey involving criminals, several deaths, a suitcase full of cash, and incompetent but very human police. As his escapades unfold, Allan's earlier life is revealed, and we discover that he played a key role behind the scenes in some of the momentous events of the 20th century.

This ‘imaginative, laugh-out-loud bestseller’ (Daily Telegraph) has sold more than two million printed copies.

©2009 Jonas Jonasson (P)2012 Strathmore Publishing Ltd Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Funny Feel-Good Thought-Provoking Witty Comedy
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Editor reviews

Jonas Jonasson’s charming novel The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared tells the story of Allan Karlsson, who has just turned 100 and is desperate to escape his own birthday party. On the run from the old people’s home in his slippers, Allan soon is swept into an adventure involving a suitcase stuffed with money, murder victims, villains and police. As the narrative unfolds, we discover more of Allan’s Forrest Gump-like background, having worked on the Manhattan Project, befriended heads of state and had a hand in many of the momentous events of the twentieth century. This delightful audiobook is narrated by Peter Kenny and available for download from Audible.

Critic reviews

“Like Forrest Gump, Allan is an innocent with the knack of being in the right place at the right time. He has had a hand in everything from the Russian revolution to Reagan's Star Wars. Like Allan, the plot is pleasingly nimble and the book's endearing charm offers a happy alternative to the more familiar Nordic noir.” ( The Guardian)
"a mordantly funny and loopily freewheeling debut novel about ageing ¬disgracefully, [full of] infectious humour and crackpot energy. The author has ... an acute ear for dialogue and a brilliant eye for the absurd." ( Sunday Times)
“Peter Kenny...reads with the straightness [the book's] dry humour requires ... I guarantee there will be a smile on your face when you hear it.” (Christina Hardyment, The Times)
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this book, the characters and story are great and the narrator delivers it perfectly.



It is hard to talk about as you don't want to take anything away from the listeners shared adventure, at the same time talking to people who have read it is brilliant as you'll both end up laughing and endlessly recalling comic references. So it could be seen as quite a selfish act but I've recommended the audiobook to several of my friends and family and bought the book as two Christmas presents this year :)



If you stumble across this please give it a go as you won't be disappointed.

A favourite for everyone and anyone

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A highly enjoyable listen with witty, sharp writing and a 'flashback' approach with interesting historical setpieces providing colour and context to the main character's life. All of this applied for the first half of the book. However, after the midpoint, the random nature (and length) of the historical stuff became irritating and was not adding anything to the main storyline for me. In addition, the chirpy, slightly smug style of the reader started to grate. Finishing the book was something of a relief. I would not buy another book by the same author.

A bit too clever for its own good?

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I have been busily recommending this since I finished listening to it. I took the long way home from work several days in a row so that I could spend more time listening to it. Black humour, feel-good, clever story structure, very likeable characters and a superb narration. It is one of those books you take a punt on and are massively rewarded. It is a treat and if you love a page-turner that will have you thinking about it long after you finish it then follow the 100 year old man out the window and adopt is philosophy. You will be glad you did.

A clever pleasure

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I have never felt the need to write a review before but this was so good that I had to write a few words -especially to thank previous reviewers without whose comments I would not have downloaded this .Excellent narration,wonderful uplifting story ,great Scandinavian humour -definitely a book to make you feel cheerful .

fantastic!

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Where does The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best books I've ever read or listened to.

What other book might you compare The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared to, and why?

It stands alone.

What does Peter Kenny bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

he sounds like he's smiling while in a matter of fact way.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

when this rag tag group of mis-fits became a kind of family.

how to live an exceptional life

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