For some reason, I'm always drawn to books with long titles. Maybe because it sounds so childlike, so 'raw'- the antithesis of short and snappy. The novel's title immediately prompts questions: how did a hundred-year-old man climb out of the window? Why did he want to? How did he disappear? Jonasson answers these queries and more with his delightfully dry story.
Quick summary, besides the obvious. Allan Karlsson thinks it will be simple when he escapes from his retirement home; all he needs to do is catch the next bus to somewhere obscure, and not be caught by Director Alice. Simple, right? It would have been, if Allan had not accidentally on purpose stolen a suitcase with more valuable belongings than he bargained for...
Without a doubt, this book is worth flicking through just to meet Allan. He has not only lived through a hundred years; he has truly lived them, maintaining his simple, slow and steady view on life and global events. You'll recognise a few key history figureheads- and be in awe as to how cool and collected Allan remains upon meeting them. The undulating nature of the narrative, as each chapter alternates between Allan's colourful past as the ultimate nomad, and his current situation running away from his retirement home, are a tease for the reader. I love how Allan gradually picks people up on his journey, and how they somehow can't become untangled from him or his journey.
Black comedy at its best, Jonasson has managed to combine unique characters with a fantastically rich plot. I feel like Allan is a part of the author himself; to bring a character whose only quirk is his lack of quirks to life on the page as Jonasson has is a real achievement.
No comments:
Post a Comment