The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules

By: Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg

Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules is an incredibly quirky, humorous, and warm-hearted story about growing old disgracefully - and breaking all the rules along the way! 79-year-old Martha Andersson dreams of escaping her care home and robbing a bank. She has no intention of spending the rest of her days in an armchair and is determined to fund her way to a much more exciting lifestyle.

Along with her four oldest friends - otherwise known as the League of Pensioners - Martha decides to rebel against all of the rules imposed upon them. Together, they cause an uproar with their antics protesting against early bedtimes and plasticky meals. As the elderly friends become more daring, they hatch a cunning plan to break out of the dreary care home and land themselves in a far more attractive Stockholm establishment. With the aid of their Zimmer frames, they resolve to stand up for old-aged pensioners everywhere - Robin Hood style. And that's when the adventure really takes off...

Perfect for fans of The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Translated by Rod Bradbury.

©2012 Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg (P)2013 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd

Critic Reviews

"At last, a novel that puts old people in the driving seat and gives them personalities… I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and began to wonder whether I should embark on a life of crime myself." (Socialist Worker)

Boring

I picked this book because of the narrator, l’ve enjoyed many of her books before, but story was very slow, l was glad when it finished

The Winner Takes It All; or Practise Makes Perfect

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It is a long book. Within it there are 3 sections in each of which a significant crime is committed. This is a great structure. But the book is filled with back story and explanation of character's observations and responses. Personally I think it needs a very severe edit in order to bring the focus much more clearly onto the crimes and their intentions and results.

What could Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Less words. Too many descriptions and backstories.

Which scene was your favorite?

None of the scenes was particularly memorable to me. In spite of all the explanations and descriptions, the characters did not come alive to me. Having said that, I still think the concept in the book is terrific - that of elderly people grabbing life by the throat and shaking the gold from it.

Did The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules inspire you to do anything?

I haven't started planning a crime spree, but I think I will be very vigorous in editing my own writing.

Any additional comments?

So - I think - listen to this story when you need a long and meandering tale that has excellent concepts in it - grey power and the Zimmer Frame Gang standing up against the inequalities in their world - and told in a slightly amused, slightly ironic voice. But don't expect anything profound.

Great for the first two hours...

The book started well, and I enjoyed the first couple of hours. It then got very silly and boring, and I didn't finish it.

The premise is a good one, and the characters, although extreme, are engaging. But the situation gets too unbelievable and silly. At the point where where I thought 'That wouldn't work' I lost interest.

But it would make a very good sitcom...

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Funny endearing adventure rooting for the oldies!

What made the experience of listening to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules the most enjoyable?

The narration was really suited to the story, lighthearted easy to follow and forever cracking a smile.

What did you like best about this story?

Although simple, the way the story weaved from unlikely situation to the next was great, highly enjoyable.

Have you listened to any of Patience Tomlinson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

This is the first one Ive listened to, but would listen to others in the future

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Oldtimers keen to get more from life than a bus pass

Any additional comments?

If you liked 'the 100 year old man who climbed out of the window' you will love this.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

It ran on a bit too long....

Would you try another book written by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg or narrated by Patience Tomlinson?

I enjoyed the premise of this book - older people shouldn't be written off - and it was possible to suspend belief in reality and follow the band of would be criminals. However, it went on too long, got too incredible for my tastes and was wrapped up too neatly. Patience was good at the female voices but all of the men sounded the same.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Too neatly wrapped up

Have you listened to any of Patience Tomlinson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Did The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules inspire you to do anything?

No

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

great book

Would you listen to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules again? Why?

I would listen again as it was a nice, funny story and an easy listen.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I could have !

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

BELIEVEABLE

What made the experience of listening to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules the most enjoyable?

It was nice to think that it could be your Granny that was doing this and breaking the rules - it was believeable.

What did you like best about this story?

That it could be my Granny being the lead character.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The beginning when the old lad goes into the bank to rob it but doesn't manage it (obviously you think to start with).

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The one that they used

Any additional comments?

Great book will definitely listen to it again and also recommend to family and friends.

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Brilliantly funny

What made the experience of listening to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules the most enjoyable?

Its an easy listen, good humoured and how we all should be when we are old and frail!

9 of 10 people found this review helpful

Fun and light

Would you listen to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules again? Why?

I never listen to books more than once.

What other book might you compare The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules to, and why?

The obvious comparison is with the 100 year old man. It's a very different story but has a similar undelying message about how we treat and view older people.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Lots of comical moments as things don't quite go according to plan.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Pensioners behaving badly.

Any additional comments?

This is a very light, easy to listen to story. It's funny and entertaining with excellent narration.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

The League of Pensioners is looking for funds....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely, it was one of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have listened to. The story was perfect, an interesting plotline and really funny. The reading was exquisite. I've already ordered a paperback book for a friends birthday and my mother-in-law has ordered the kindle-edition after I told her about it.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything really, the book is about some pensioners who are living in a retirement home that is cutting costs. No more buns with the coffee, no outings, no more Christmas decorations! It looks like prisoners have it better then them and so 5 of them (the choir-gang) decides to start on a life of crime. It is nice to see them planning and working in the gym to get fitter and trying to get a better life for themselves. Every charachter is really worked out, I could really put myself in each of their places. There are a quite a lot of coincidences in this book but it just makes it all the more interesting.
It is also nice to listen to a book that is exciting and funny all the time.

Have you listened to any of Patience Tomlinson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Have not heard this reader before, but really enjoyed it!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was really funny. I almost had a constant smile on my face while listening to this book. And afterwards I was always in a really good mood!

Any additional comments?

Don't think about it any more, just download this book today!

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

Prisons v Retirement Homes

A most enjoyable story! Our retirement homes could do with some residents like these!
My only criticism is that the narrator was not able to produce the required range of male character voices.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

light hearted sunday afternnon relxation read

Would you listen to The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules again? Why?

Yes I would listen to this book again, its an easy listen and at times I giggled out loud, the exploits of older people how their kinds think and how they put them into action I would love a grandparent like these.

Have you listened to any of Patience Tomlinson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

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

The comradship of the characters

Any additional comments?

This is a very light hearted look at the older generation and what may go through their minds

4 of 5 people found this review helpful