The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

It all starts on the one-hundredth birthday of Allan Karlsson. Sitting quietly in his room in an old people’s home, he is waiting for the party he-never-wanted-anyway to begin. The Mayor is going to be there. The press is going to be there. But, as it turns out, Allan is not… Slowly but surely Allan climbs out of his bedroom window, into the flowerbed (in his slippers) and makes his getaway. And so begins his picaresque and unlikely journey involving criminals, several murders, a suitcase full of cash, and incompetent police. As his escapades unfold, we learn something of Allan’s earlier life in which – remarkably – he helped to make the atom bomb, became friends with American presidents, Russian tyrants, and Chinese leaders, and was a participant behind the scenes in many key events of the twentieth century. Already a huge bestseller across Europe, The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared is a fun and feel-good book for all ages.


I loved this book, which to me was equal parts thriller, murder mystery, comedy and Forest Gump.

It moved surprisingly fast and it a lot in the story, there wasn't once when I got bored or skim ready over parts.

The characters were all very likeable and didn't fluff around too much - every word was true to their character and helped move the story along, keeping you engaged right until the very last page.

In high school history wasn't one of my favourite subjects but I loved the way this book creatively wove the major historical events together in a tall tale of the centenarians life. It covers a plethora of interesting and historical events that span the last one hundred years - communism in China, World Wars, The Cold War,  and much more. 
His interactions with various officials including sharing meals and more with everyone from Stalin, Churchill, and Truman to Mao, Franco, and de Gaulle, teaching life lessons in an unbelievable but highly entertaining way.

This book will suit most readers and bring smiles and spontaneous laughter along the journey.