"It all starts on the one-hundredth birthday of Allan Karlsson. Sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, he is waiting for the party he-never-wanted-anyway to begin. The mayor is going to be there. The press is going to be there. But, as it turns out, Allan is not...Slowly but surely Allan climbs out of his bedroom window, into the flowerbed (in his slippers) and 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, we learn something of Allan's earlier life in which - remarkably - he helped to make the atom bomb, became friends with American presidents, Russian tyrants, and Chinese leaders, and was a participant behind the scenes in many key events of the twentieth century. "
Can I just say what an absolute joy this book is to read? Giggling throughout the epic tale of Allan Karlsson's life pre and post his 100th birthday, this book charmed the pants off me. The modern story follows Allan as he does a bunk hours before his 100th birthday party and follows him to the bus station and the one decision that will change the path of his life forever. He takes a suitcase that isn't his and so follows a classic caper of bungling cops, mean baddies and some fascinating friends he makes along the way, oh and not forgetting the elephant!! I did say it was funny.
The flash backs take us back throughout his life and the people he tends to meet. From Presidents of the USA to Winston Churchill to Stalin we follow how someone so non political as Allan seems to change the history of the world without even trying. The story of him meeting Stalin is a particular favourite and found me giggling out loud on trains!
Jonas Jonasson really is a gifted story teller and I will be shouting about this book for a long, long time.
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