Jonas Jonasson: The Hundred Year Old Man who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared (September 2019)

This  the author’s  first book wanted the main character to be at least 100 years old in order to have lived through the whole of the twentieth century.  Life is an adventure very worth living the author claims and what an adventure (if it could be considered so) Allan Karlson claimed to have lived. The story is heavily interlaced with vast quantities of vodka, large amounts of money and bombs.

The book starts with Allan preparing to suffer the indignity of a birthday party to celebrate his 100th birthday in the old people’s home he had by pure misfortune found himself currently living in. The Mayor was expected to be present as would be the Press, but as it turns out Allan decided he would not.

On a whim he opens the window in his bedroom, climbs out and sets off still in his slippers on a series of adventures which starts with a suitcase full of drug money which unwittingly  propels him into a journey pursued by both criminals and incompetent police in a race to be the first to catch up with him.

Parallel to this we read about Allan’s life before he entered the home starting from when he was a young boy who learnt purely by accident how to create bombs and grew to be a man who traveled the world and met the Deviants of the twentieth century for whom he built bombs. He was caught up in playing a key role in the mass destruction across the world.  His only regret being not realising Stalin was not a nice man when he built a bomb for him.

What starts off with a series of escapades including a couple of accidental murders; results in Allan collecting on the way a number of unlikely characters including the incompetent chief of police and not forgetting Sonia the elephant, all who became the closest to an unlikely if not disjointed family Allan had ever had.   And so the story ends with this odd group of friends living happily ever after enjoying sunny climes on an idillic island.

In summary; whether Allan Karlson could be considered naive, clever or even cunning, although this book is amusing in some places and purely a work of fiction, what the reader can’t get away from is that, he was in fact a mass murderer who did not show any regret or have any empathy for the devastation caused by his bombs.

Coming back down to earth it did start off a lively debate on political leaders including present day, whilst at the same time respecting each others views.  An excellent session and enjoyable book worth reading.  The meeting easily ran over helped by the tranquil setting of magnificent sea views and the sound of the waves crashing against the sea wall.  We all look forward to our next meeting on 18th October.

Kate McCarthy