• 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 (13,749 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

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    7,929
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    3,420
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Story
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
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Fantastic!

I loved listening to this, didn't want it to end. Often enough, I need to overlook something in the narration of audiobooks so not to be bothered, but not the case here. Although, it would be interesting (to me) to hear how another narrator might interpret. Not that I had any issues with Steven Crossley; just out of curiosity – would the essence be as light with a different reading of these same words? Did he accentuate the serendipitous nature of the story?
If I had more detailed knowledge of the world politics and history of the wars during this 100 year span, I may have enjoyed it even more. Either that, or the opposite... it's hard to tell!


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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Good light listening

An absurd tale well told and well read and with great characters. The narrator has the perfect deadpan delivery to make this fun to listen to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Charming characters, delightful story

What fun! Everyone should have the privilege of knowing these people. They have a zest for life and know how to live it! I wouldn't mind living to 100 if I could be like Alan. Maybe I can be.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Funny, endearing, and thoroughly enjoyable!

I loved this book! I plan to share it with family. it was a thoroughly pleasant, laugh-out-loud funny, and mesmerizing read. The reader perfectly captured the character's voice. Definitely worth the price of admission!

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Very good listen

Where does The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I have listened to a lot of excellent audiobooks, so it is tough for an audiobook to stand out among those. Having said that, this book was quite funny, I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Has to be Gunilla. Loved the scene where she yells "No swearing please" at the assembly.

Which character – as performed by Steven Crossley – was your favorite?

Liked all of them.

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

Not moved, but yeah the story concocted by the gang for the police was laugh out loud funny.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Incredibly cute

A preposterous story of world travel, odd friendships, and the atom bomb. Very funny and a nice light read.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Nine lives?

Hilarious even if all the accents are British. Forest GumpJames Bond explosives expert with more than nine lives. Do not read if politics and arms races irritate you so much you can't laugh at the hilarity of the situations, do not read. But if you have no sacred cows, this is the book for you. Mild cursing, mild violent encounters, no sex or nudity.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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STILL SMILING...

Whenever I see an old person I think to myself that everyone has a story... If we just took the time to listen. This book proved it! The adventure that Alan goes on as he turns 100 years old, runs parallel to the adventure he's been on for the last hundred years. This book made me laugh and I will never forget it. I love the narration. I didn't want it to end.

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Delightfully quirky

It took me a little while to get into this book but once I'd committed some time I was hooked. The characters and storyline are so delightfully quirky.

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Hilarious

Loved it had me laughing out loud
A Swedish Forrest Gump
What a great cast of characters all with colorful back stories

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