The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared is the story of, what else?, a 100-year-old man who climbs out the window - and hilarity ensues. Absolute, side-splitting hilarity. I have not laughed this yard since I read Owen Meany some 15 years ago.
Allan Karlsson climbs out of his window at an assisted living facility on the day of his 100th birthday with an eye toward escaping as far and as fast as he can. Unfortunately, he's 100, not terribly nimble, and doesn't have much cash. Fortunately, the bus station is quite close and he's not picky about where he goes. When another passenger requests Allan to look after his suitcase, it sets in motion a series of (hilarious) events that unfolds for the rest of the book.
Jonas Jonasson weaves together the story of Allan's present-day adventure with his many, many previous adventures: life as an explosives expert, experience on both sides of the Spanish Civil War, time in a gulag, and first-name familiarity with a host of world leaders from Harry Truman to Chairman Mao.
Although the fictional lives of the geriatric has become a genre unto itself (think Ove or Arthur or Hendrik), Jonasson has turned the genre on its head and, in doing so, created a masterpiece that will leave you clutching your sides and gasping for breath.
Five stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment