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

  • By: Jonas Jonasson
  • Narrated by: Peter Kenny
  • Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (6,327 ratings)
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The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared cover art

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

By: Jonas Jonasson
Narrated by: Peter Kenny
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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.

Summary

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
Literary Fiction Literature & Fiction
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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)

What listeners say about The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Average customer ratings
Overall
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Audible.co.uk reviews

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for ecojanie

An excellent listen, completely absorbing

A wonderful tale, this is what I want from an Audiobook - great story and great narration. If only all audiobooks could be this entertaining.

This book has transferred well to audio, it comes alive - you are drawn into the characters and situation quickly and effortlessly, just as it should be for me. Not only did it make me laugh but I actually cared about the primary character.



Not one to normally write reviews as not much seems to be that worthy, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable listen and one which I wholeheartedly recommend.

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48 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Denise

Off-beat charming story

As with most Scandinavian fiction, I was expecting something off-beat and wasn't disappointed. I loved the interwoven stories of Alan's exploits in his long life (one suspected there was a little bit of truth in some of them!) with his current bizarre predicament, which had me laughing out loud at some of the very well understated comments. Listening to this novel made my task of decorating very enjoyable indeed!

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23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for andrew

Very pleasant and funny listen

I was in two minds wether to download this audio book for quite some time. Really glad i did now one of the funniest and best books i have listened to.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Fraser

hilarious

A very funny book, a superb read, an unexpected twist at every turn. If I live to be one hundred years old escaping from the old peoples home will now be my top priority.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Alan

Engaging, funny and well written

If you could sum up The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared in three words, what would they be?

This is a story within a story with a message to boot. This is well written and excellently narrated. An engaging tale of a wonderful life of a man who seems to fall on his feet regardless of what twists and turns life throws at him. For me, the underlying message is one of trust in life. However bad it can get, there is always a way out of any difficult situation. I absolutely loved this story.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared?

There are too many to comment on. Perhaps dinner with Harry Truman stands out for me.

What about Peter Kenny’s performance did you like?

Well read, well paced and great accents for the different characters. I like the irony of Swedish names and places being said with regional english accents... that adds to the humour of the story in itself.

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

The main character recognising he had gotten old at 76 (I think it was), and that it was time to start taking his pension!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Snocat

a ripping yarn

I loved this book, which challenged lots of assumptions about the elderly. Whilst highly implausible it was nevertheless very entertaining and kept my interest from start to finish. The storyteller's style was effective, using a variety of different voices to bring the characters to life.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kat

Really fascinating and inspiring

I loved it! Similar to forest gump idea. Not my usual kinda book which is why I enjoyed it so much I think. Alan is just an amazing character!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Londoner

Very entertaining

Very amusing and inventive. A great change from the usual fare and I would welcome more from the author

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for PropheticTM ☆☆☆☆☆

Odd, fun and clever.

Clever roller coaster journey of one man's life interwoven with historic moments in Forrest Gump style. Jonas Jonasson comes up with a wonderful way to spend several hours suspending disbelief and getting that feel good factor that will make you smile. Peter Kenny performs the narration with a wide range of character skills which are perfect as always.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MrsFiddleback

The 100 year old man...

What a brilliant book! Funny, intruiging and hard to switch off.



I'd strongly recommend it.

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1 person found this helpful