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

By: Jonas Jonasson

Narrated by: Steven Crossley

Length: 12 hrs

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

An Outrageous Adventure of Coincidence and Luck!

This story totally deserves the international bestseller title. With infectious characters and delightful dark humor Jonasson has brought a very unique telling of some of modern history’s darkest moments to the table. Karlsson’s a protagonist you can really stand behind, his ever-constant jovial perspective on life seeps into your head as you read - reading just a chapter easily turned a few of my own sour moods around! Through lies, deceit, and unbelievable outcomes of some of the stickiest situations imagined it’s odd that friendship, however short-lived on occasion, abounds in this story. Its appearance brought this hilarious tale, down-to-earth and let the best of human nature shine.

I don’t think I’d have enjoyed this book as much as I did if it weren’t for my digesting it in an audio form. The narrator did a marvelous job and the story unfolded so perfectly, it just felt like a story that needed to be read aloud. Highly entertaining and laugh-out loud funny.

GREAT!

This one's a winner- a bit fantastic but so much fun! Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed.

Delightful story with gratuitous profanity

Would you try another book from Jonas Jonasson and/or Steven Crossley?

I wish this writer would not have fallen into the trap of "profanity makes your book better."
This is a delightful story, cleverly written but the F-bombs and profanity ruined it for me. I finally had to turn it off. TOO BAD!

The Impossible, Implausible Journey. . .

If only a 100 year old man COULD have such adventures! This is a somewhat interesting story that skillfully weaves decade after decade of personal history with the present-day travels and travails of an aged man who skips out on his 100th birthday party, only to find himself pursued by evil doers and in the company of a bawdy cadre of fellow escapees. And the ending? You will have to read it for yourself to hear what this author suggests that this now-101 year old man decides to do. Good narrator!

Gut busting funny!!

The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window & Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson: Oh my! Such a whole lot of absurdity that kept me laughing until my belly hurt. Again, not my usual type book, but I don’t think I’ve enjoyed myself so much in quite a long time. Jonasson is quite the storyteller, and I think I’d like another one or two of his missives. Not too soon, though. It will be a while before my belly stops aching. 5 stars.

The 100 year old man.

It was funny. Very clever storyline and interesting how events in history were woven through. The narrator made the book especially likable with his colorful vocabulary.

Wonderful

One of the most enjoyable, funny, and creative books of storytelling. The author has a lovely sense of humor and the characters are delightful.

A Good Story

What did you love best about The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared?

The story flowed well and kept my interest.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared?

The way it switched from the present to the past. I liked the Man's meeting with the various world leaders particularly with Stalin.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

He told the story in an interesting manner and his voice was very good.

If you could take any character from The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared out to dinner, who would it be and why?

It would be the old man.

Any additional comments?

For anyone who enjoys a good story this is for you.

Delightful!

What did you love best about The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared?

The many, quirky characters and how they all came together to inadvertently create serendipitous events that fell into place around the ever optimistic protagonist as he made his way through the world.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared?

I cried with laughter when a member of the gang 'The Violins' (Violence, misspelled!) was caught vandalizing because police found his glove that he had accidentally thrown with a rock through a window. Inside the glove was the perpetrator's name and phone number. One of many very funny scenes.

What about Steven Crossley’s performance did you like?

His intonation was perfect and he had a knack for catching me off guard with some of the funniest parts, which of course made them all the more amusing.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Don't miss it.

Any additional comments?

This was just a delightful book, and not what I had expected. I immediately went in search of other books by Jonas Jonasson.

Delightfully fun and funny

The story of Alan Carlson is as intricate as it is hilarious. The authors sing song style leads to a fun light hearted tale that flows easily.