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Mar 15, 2020
John Warner
rated it
liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
satire,
historical-fiction
This farcical novel opens on Allan Karlsson 100th birthday. The free-spirited centenarian, recently admitted to a nursing home, is already tiring of his regimented days and rules against alcohol and tobacco and decided to leave. Slipping out of a window, he heads for the bus station to buy a ticket to wherever his money will take him. While awaiting his bus, a man asks him to watch his suitcase while he relieves himself. The bus arrives and fearing that he will miss it before the man comes from
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Bizarre satire/farce in which a centenarian begins an unpredictable series of events by taking the impulsive step indicated by the title. On a parallel basis we are told the even stranger tale of his previous ten decades in which his simplicity, his taste for vodka, and his expertise with explosives put him in touch with a number of political leaders.
The book is laugh-out-loud funny and while the rapid fire plot twists are absurd, they each have a weird believability. I loved this book so much I ...more
The book is laugh-out-loud funny and while the rapid fire plot twists are absurd, they each have a weird believability. I loved this book so much I ...more
This wasn't terrible, but it wasn't great either. I am pretty critical of 'funny' books, especially one's claiming that it is "an incredibly funny story", "dynamite comedy" or "hilarious" on the back. That usually says to me that it is going to be none of those things, and I was right. Yes, the story was quaint, bizarre and mildly amusing. I think the best description of it would be 'absurd'. But hilarious? No.
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This book was delightful. It was whimsical without being ridiculous, and ridiculous without being obnoxious. I loved the protagonist and his cohorts. This definitely continues the trend of awesome Swedish novels that I have read.
Strange, strange book. Follows the life of a man who serendipitously finds himself through his 100 years acquainted with all the major world leaders of every generation. Like Forrest Gump, the Swedish, explosives-expert version.
I felt like this book was just trying too hard. I honestly found it improbable and boring, and I was not enchanted by the protagonist even though I felt like I was supposed to be. Meh. It was readable enough.
Feb 07, 2014
K
marked it as to-read
Oct 15, 2014
Melissa Seng
marked it as to-read
Jan 03, 2015
John Warner
marked it as to-read
Jun 03, 2015
Tanya
marked it as to-read
Jan 14, 2017
Adrienne
rated it
really liked it
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review of another edition
Shelves:
2017-aty-challenge
Feb 26, 2017
Sarah
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2018
Ruthi
marked it as to-read
Jul 15, 2018
DeeAnn
marked it as to-read
Dec 30, 2018
Natalie
marked it as to-read
