SOURCE: A Reader's Group read.
THE BOOK {According to the back cover}: You're never too old for an adventure ...
Sitting quietly in an old people's home, Allan Karlsson is waiting for a party he doesn't want to begin. His one-hundredth birthday party to be precise. The Mayor will be there. The press will be there. But, as it turns out, Allan will not ...
Escaping (in his slippers) through his bedroom window, into the flowerbed, Allan 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, Allan's earlier life is revealed. A life in which - remarkably - he played a key role behind the scenes in some of the momentous events of the twentieth century.
* Includes a small spoiler, scroll over to hi-light if desired.
FIRST SENTENCE {Chapter 1: Monday, 2nd May 2005}: You might think he could have made up his mind earlier, and been man enough to tell the others of his decision.
MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 144}: The Beauty put on a raincoat with a hood and rubber gloves and rolled out the hose to rinse off the remains of the thug that Sonya had just sat to death.
MY THOUGHTS: Given my recent lack of success with 'best sellers' I was determined to enjoy this 'international best selling sensation' and enjoy it I did ....... at least for a short while.
What started out promisingly as a story about an ordinary (if unbelievably sprightly) centenarian (think of a hybrid elderly Forrest Gump and Harold Fry) who finds himself in some extraordinary situations. Though humorous to begin with I'm afraid for me the 'jokes' wore thin at about the same rate as his 'meetings' with the 'influential members of society' became ever more convoluted.
And then there was the jumping between the one hundred year old Allan's adventures pre and post his climbing out of the window and disappearing. Something that might have worked for some readers but didn't for me.
Another novel that I simply don't understand what all the fuss was about. If success was dependent on the reader spending the whole book wondering whether a character was incredibly smart or irretrievably stupid (for such were my thoughts on main character Allan Karlsson) than I guess The One Hundred Year Old Man is indeed a masterpiece.
15 comments:
It's interesting that you likened him to (an elderly) Forrest Gump, because that was my exact thought as I was reading the cover blurb.
Having recently read Forrest Gump, I think I've had my fill of that type book for awhile. So, I don't see myself putting this one on the wish list.
The premise is interesting, but I'm sorry it wasn't a better read for you, Tracy. (I had not heard of this best-seller before!)
The title is catchy, that's for sure. I hadn't heard of this one before, but my interest is piqued, even knowing you didn't come away loving it in the end.
This is the biggest title I've eveer seen!
It's a good and curious story. Sometimes we don't want to have a birthday party. Maybe this year I'll escape too :b
That's too bad, that title is great though.
Oh I'm sorry that for once again it didn't work for you, it's sad... mainly if it was good at first.
The back cover was so exciting to read. But so sad, to learn the author just tore the story apart. Excellent review as always, Tracy, your reviews are not only a pleasure to read but very helpful for me whenever I have to decide on picking up a book. Thank you so much for sharing.
I really should not generalize about best sellers....But, the fact that you have had such bad luck with them may say something about what appeals to so many people.
I can see how a certain kind of humor would work for just so many pages.
Hi my long lost friend - just stopping by to say hello and let you know I have finally gotten back on the bloggy wagon today, so stop by and say hello if you get a chance! :) Hope all is well your way - can't wait to catch back up with ya! P.S. I changed the title from "Welcome to our World" to "A Story of Us". Hopefully, you will still be able to access it - if not, let me know and I will just change it back for now. xoxoxo
Well, best sellers don't always mean good books. :) Hopefully your next read will be so much better!
The premise sounds interesting.
I thought it was a bit Forrest Gump-y too. I did buy it ages ago and I think from memory I liked bits of it, at first, but stopped part way and never reviewed.
If it makes you feel any better, I usually don't like best sellers either. Hope your next read is better!
Aww shucks. I had high hopes for this one with that curious cover and synopsis of humor. Cie la vie. Thanks for sharing just the same!
One of my sisters has this book though I don't know if she's gotten around to finishing it. I was attracted to the cover and title, but after your review, I might put this off while I catch up on those I really, really want to read.
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