Great story of an old man with a fascinating history. Similar to the tale of Forest Gump, with meeting and interacting with significant people in history, finding his way across continents and eventually deciding not to stay put in an aged care facility on his 100th birthday. Which let to a whole series of other adventures. ( )

Here's what I wrote about this read in 2016: "Really clever and fun, funny. Quite the life he led and quite the tyrants he met (and helped!), including once he climbed that window on his 100th birthday!". What I should have noted at the time is how like Forrest Gump Albert, the protagonist, is. Managed to be present for most of the major explosions, and very famous world leaders related to them, of the 20th century. ( )

Funny snarky cynical hopeful ( )

i always laugh when i hear a book described as "a good romp" - but that's exactly what this book is. it's ridiculously awesome - the characters are well done and the story, though fairly preposterous, is funny. there are a lot of instances where i had a 'forrest gump' feeling while reading, in that people from history (political heavyweights) are woven into the tale. of course this narrator is unreliable...but who cares?? i think he could make the phone book sound interesting. ( )

Unhappy with the life and rules of the Old Folks Home where he is living, Allan Karlsson climbs out the window of his first floor room an hour before his 100th birthday party. He heads to the local bus station to go as far as his pocket money will take him. Allan's whole life has been an adventure and this latest adventure will be his most bizarre ever and lead him to a more satisfying way to spend his remaining years. At the bus station he steals a suitcase and boards a bus. He will meet up with a motley crew, a few criminals, and an elephant with the authorities and reporters on his tail. Interwoven between these modern day adventures is the story of Allan's 100 years and the amazing people he manages to come in contact with. We view 100 years of world history as only Allan could live it. Very funny. I hear there is a Swedish movie of this and I will have see if I can find it. ( )