Book Review: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

If the title's a mouthful, the tale is a gollywhopper! Too far-fetched for me, but an entertaining story. Those looking for a wild-ride-of-a-book, need look no further than The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared. The story of Allan Karlsson's life has more twists-and-turns than an Indiana country back road.

Life is hard when old age forces you into a nursing home that regulates your every move and limits your alcohol consumption. That's why Allan, intent upon missing his own 100th birthday party, climbs out his window and makes his way to the bus station. He plans to take whatever route his money affords. Is it his fault that a young scamp asks him to watch a large suitcase while he uses the restroom? With nothing but the slippers on his feet, Allan makes a rash decision to take the luggage with him on his bus journey. What ensues is a rollicking tale of an unlikely heist and the gangsters' futile efforts to retrieve their booty. In the intervening chapters, the reader learns the back-story of Allan's patchwork life, full of intersections with famous individuals and adventures extraordinaire, making the flight of the 100-year-old man even more outlandish.

After viewing this trailer for the movie, I might just have to rent it one day (although many complain the trailer leaks too many spoilers - so you might not wish to view the trailer until after you've read the book).