The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared: Chapters 15-21 (Contains Spoilers)

[Jodi]

This is the discussion thread for The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared Chapters 15-21.

[Mary Pat]

OMG! I am on Chapter 15 which begins with Benny telling his brother every thing that has happened so far. (He had to tell him everything if his brother was going to let Benny and his friends stay.)

I was listening on the way into work and was laughing out loud as Benny recounted the whole chain of improbable events one after the other. I especially lost it when he told him they had an elephant in the bus. A real elephant!

I have been enjoying the series of implausible and dubious goings-on in this book but this scene - which neatly sums up the book to this point - just put me over the edge with amusement! I find myself anxious to see the next unbelievable coincidence and I am in love with Allan's infinite pragmatism in the face of any extreme!

The book is well-written which is a good thing because otherwise I am not sure the author would get away with such an outrageous story. He does, however. At least from where I sit.

P.S. While I think this is mostly a light, enjoyable read I think there is some serious jabs at religion and politics that could make for a good conversation!

[Megan BG]

This book may actually be better listening to than reading! It was one thing to read it, but I think listening would have been funnier.

[Ariel]

I agree fully about how amusing the book is. Also agree about the potential discussion of both topics. I wonder if it takes such a politically neutral character to kind of flesh out a comfortable approach to topics that are usually so fraught.

Regardless, the author does it very well imo.

I might have to give it a chance on audio now.

[Myles]

I also think it's fun to play a character who just doesn't care about politics. He has an extreme lack of passion. He just seems to stumble through things, not looking for too much other than some food and some vodka.

Usually characters have passion or a mission. He has nothing. It's fantastic and very different.

[Megan BG]

His mission/passion was vodka, I think. :)

[✿ Alicia ✿]

There's a quote in Chapter 16 that I think sums it up: "Allan Karlsson didn't ask much of life. He just wanted a bed, lots of food, something to do, and now and then a glass of vodka. If these requirements were met, he could stand most things."

[Cynthia]

As everyone else, I love how Allen asks nothing about life. He just follow what his mother told him (I'm reading the book in French but the translation is probably along "things are what they are and will be what they will be". He doesn't really care about what's gonna happen and just lets himself flow through life.

I like all the adventures he has and how Jonasson writes about historical people and how Allen met them through his journey.

Can't wait to read the end of the book!

[JoJo]

I couldn't help laughing at Herbert and Amanda and their choice of careers. Especially the bit where Herbert finds out he's been teaching/driving on the wrong side of the road even though he's a driving instructor lol.