• The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

  • By: Jonas Jonasson
  • Narrated by: Steven Crossley
  • Length: 12 hrs
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (13,744 ratings)

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The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

By: Jonas Jonasson
Narrated by: Steven Crossley
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Publisher's summary

A larger-than-life old man with a fondness for vodka goes on an unexpected adventure in this whimsical novel — perfect for fans of Forrest Gump and A Man Called Ove.

After a long and eventful life, Allan Karlsson ends up in a nursing home, believing it to be his last stop. The only problem is that he’s still in good health—and tomorrow is his hundredth birthday. A big celebration is in the works, but Allan really isn’t interested, and he’d like a bit more control over his vodka consumption. So he decides to escape.

He climbs out the window in his slippers and embarks on a hilarious and entirely unexpected journey, involving, among other surprises, a suitcase stuffed with cash, some unpleasant criminals, a friendly hot-dog stand operator, and an elephant.

Quirky and utterly unique, The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared has charmed millions of people around the world.

©2009 Jonas Jonasson (P)2012 AudioGO

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What listeners say about The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

3.5 stars for being too long

Allan Karlsson decides he cannot possibly suffer through a birthday party in honor of his 100th birthday, so out the window he climbs. Thus begins, or does it(?), the adventures of a 100 year old man.

From this one expects a very short story, ending with finding Allan - alive or dead. Instead, an adventure, in both the past and the present blossoms.

The way Allan's adventure begins, with a stolen suitcase and a bus trip as far as his money can take him, unfolds in amazing ridiculousness. Not unusual once he past is revealed. Jumping back to the past, and returning to the present over and over again, From Allan's birth, nothing was normal. Everything was a big adventure involving travel to unexpected places, becoming a part of events, and befriending world leaders.

in the present, the incidents and chance meetings are equally odd and involved.

The book was fun, the situations utterly ridiculous, but after a while it got old. Fortunately it did not become tiresome until closer to the end.

it is worth it, but much longer than ot needed to be.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story

Our 100 year old man has quite a life. Full of adventure and humor. His new friends he meets along the way go through a rich adventure sure to please those wishing for a madcap journey.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Forrest Gump ripoff

For me it started to get tiresome with all the famous encounters. Plus we’re supposed to forget that he stole a bunch of money and killed a bunch of people.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Fun Adventure

I thoroughly enjoyed listening and didn’t want the story to end. Each character brought about their own quirky humor that complemented the overall story. They

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A fictional walk through the most interesting in History.

I enjoyed the book. Very entertaining and informative. I know it is fiction but makes world events seem interesting. Narrator was pleasant.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Cleverly told, excellent narration

Really enjoyed this book and the audio version I think is even better than the written. I am actually a repeat listener I enjoyed the narration so much!

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  • 04-21-23

Historically funny!

This book made me laugh continuously. The author’s imagination is amazing and his writing is clever.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fun crazy story

This book was a lot of fun. A lot of unexpected plot twists. Narration was good as well.

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Great Story!

What a story! Lots of twists and turns. The narrator did an amazing job and really brought out the book’s humor. Highly recommend!

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I laughed out loud

This was a nice change of pace, enjoyable and unique - sort of a “Forest Gump meets The Gang Who Couldn’t Shoot Straight” - in Sweden!

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